from our upcoming book Our Secret Book of Benefits
I have studied in some of the best institutes in the country. There were absolutely no classes on sex education, friendship, relationships, on how to navigate a bureaucracy, on building an organization, on earning money, on managing finances, on creating a database, on buying a house, on rights & safety, on loving a child, on spotting a scam, on talking someone out of depression, or figure out what was important to me. Not knowing these things messes our life. Most of what was taught was absolutely useless. I found Indian education system to be imperfect.
Instead, I saw that the education system is working as a machine producing:
Obedient soldiers to the army.
Obedient workers to the industries.
Well subordinated civil servants to the government.
Well subordinated clerks to industry.
Citizens who think alike about major issues.
Our children and we as parents, chose alternative education as a way of learning for our daughters. It is the most conscious and responsible decision we have taken ever.
To successfully raise children through alternative learning we took several major steps like : moving to a farm, growing food, living a simple life, natural healing, self-reliance and so on.
If you cannot take the responsibility of yourself, you cannot homeschool your children! As parents, we developed responsibility & honesty in all aspects of our life like money, work, food, relationships, society, legal aspects and so on.
Always remember – your children learn what you force them to learn, but children become what you are. So, we discovered that we need to be a good human being first. What child becomes (honesty, responsible, empathy, respect for law & other and so on…) is always more important that what child knows (facts).
Learning can happen any moment throughout our life, but character development happens in childhood. Its scientifically proven (refer the theories of Transactional analysis) that character is developed and fixed by the age of 5 years. Indian spirituality says that atma stops developing by the age of 7. And look at your childhood friends – you will find that they still have same characters even now as before.
Mainstream education has its advantages and disadvantages. Same is true for any alternative education too. But we choose what suits our values. As a responsible parent, we found that we can succeed with alternative education for our daughters. I am happy to say that our daughters Adhya & Anju have developed into responsible, curious, smart, caring, creative individuals.
Alternative learning refers to any educational approach that differs from the traditional, standardized model found in most public schools. It encompasses a wide range of philosophies and methods, all with the common goal of providing a more personalized and effective learning experience.
Here are some key characteristics of alternative learning:
Focus on Individual Needs: Alternative learning programs often prioritize individual needs and learning styles. This involves flexible pacing, individualized instruction, and personalized learning plans.
Emphasis on Interests: Many alternative learning programs encourage students to pursue their own interests and passions, allowing them to delve deeper into subjects that excite them.
Experiential Learning: Experiential learning is often a key component of alternative education, with students learning through hands-on activities, real-world projects, and real-life experiences.
Collaborative Learning: Many alternative learning environments foster collaboration among students, encouraging them to learn from each other and work together to solve problems.
Emphasis on Social-Emotional Learning: Alternative learning programs often prioritize social-emotional learning, helping students develop essential life skills such as self-awareness, self-regulation, social skills, and responsible decision-making.
Some common types of alternative learning include:
Homeschooling: Parents or guardians take on the primary responsibility for their children's education at home.
Unschooling: A more radical form of homeschooling where learning is entirely self-directed and driven by the child's interests.
Montessori Education: A child-centered approach that emphasizes self-directed learning and hands-on activities.
Waldorf Education: A holistic approach that emphasizes creativity, imagination, and a connection to nature.
Democratic Schools: Schools where students have a significant say in the decision-making process and curriculum.
Alternative learning offers a valuable alternative to traditional schooling, providing students with a more personalized, engaging, and effective learning experience. However, it's important to choose an approach that aligns with your child's individual needs and learning style.
Some of the benefits of alternative education for our daughters are:
To allow them to learn at their own speed, so that they can develop a deep understanding about their natural rhythms.
To customize their learning as per their interests. Their careers will be chosen solely based on their interests. We will be there to support, support & support only.
To avoid the drudgery of schooling.
To avoid the punishments, humiliation, bullying, casteism that happens during schooling. These destroy the life energy in many children.
Instead of modeling children through schooling, Savitri and Myself decided to become their role models by living a balanced life.
Children's needs are not respected at school.
We met many homeschooling families and found that Homeschooled children are more confident.
Our children can participate more with the community. Schooling isolates children from their community.
Learning is being practiced through visiting museums, zoos, hospitals, workshops, farms, industries, institutions etc. This is more practical learning than learning at school, which is theoretical and idealistic.
Their curiosity will not be disturbed. Schooling prioritizes rote learning of syllabus over curiosity based learning.
Life is lived outside the school. Living can be learnt only outside the school.
Homeschooled children are happier as they don't have the burden of following timings, rules, deadlines etc.
Our children are very comfortable using their hands and legs. Plus they have plenty of time to experiment as they wish. That's what is necessary for creativity.
We have concerns about the safety of children at school, colleges & during jobs in bigger cities where they end up as nobody.
Our children take a break from learning whenever they want. It can be minutes to hours to days. Sometimes they just don't want to do anything for weeks. Sometimes they are constantly doing new things. Schooling does not provide this choice.
We take vacation whenever we want to. We don't need to wait for holidays.
We can ensure that our children get what they need.
Our children are free from the mindless competition and aimless comparison that happens blatantly in schools.
Schooling has a rigid & fixed schedule. Homeschooling is not.
Our children are learning through real-life experiences. Experience is the only way to learn.
We don't want our children to be just another Doctor or Engineer. We want them to discover their own interests. They can be themself.
Whenever they are motivated, they learn new topics rapidly.
Homeschooling gives an opportunity to choose any career path. But a graduate is stuck with his certificates.
Our children can focus on excelling in their work, instead of excelling in scoring marks in examinations.
Homeschooling provides unlimited opportunities for creativity as there are no targets, timelines and evaluations.
Our children are comfortable in learning lifeskills like cooking, laundry, washing, cleaning, growing vegetables and fruits etc.
Homeschooling is not boring.
Children are always playing and always learning. Learning is playful and play is learning.
There are minimal distractions in homeschooling.
Homeschooling costs nothing.
Homeschooling is hassle free. No need to get up early, rush, dress, run for the bus etc.
Our children are getting better at self-learning. Once mastered, they can learn anything.
We constantly learn about the strengths, weaknesses & interests of our children. This gives us a better understanding about them.
We are sure that my daughters will never end up in the hands of an abuser or a rapist at a school.
There are no subjects in homeschooling. Children learn without the barriers of subjects.
We are able to talk everyday with children about life lessons that we have experienced.
We are free from the constant search for better school, better coaching, better college etc. This allowed us to settle at one place.
We wish that our children should imbibe the language, culture, practices, traditions etc of our region. At the same time, we expose them to modern ideas and culture as well.
Homeschooling helps in developing one's own identity. Schooling creates a group identity.
We wanted to be closer to nature as well as live together as a family. Homeschooling was the only way to achieve this goal.
Homeschooling is believed to support the natural maturity of a human. Schooling enforces maturity through peer pressure.
They get less sick as there is no exposure to outside risks.
They are allowed to sleep whenever they want, as much as they want & wherever they want. This is the most important benefit of homeschooling. Sleep is man's superpower. Modern life has destroyed sleep.
Homeschooling develops responsible behavior.
Homeschooling imbibes time management as well as flexibility as per need.
Excellence needs an open, natural and unrestricted environment. School is a closed, rigid and artificial environment.
Our children are learning all the time and all the days of the year. As there is no syllabus and no structure, learning happens in Continuum.
Our children are free to enjoy traveling. Homeschooling provides opportunities for lots of travel. We travel a lot.
Schooling is sexualizing. Homeschooling does not. Our children are equally comfortable with all genders.
Homeschooling has eliminated a lot of anxiety that is created by schooling.
Our children can eat whenever they are hungry. This is extremely important. Eating when hungry is natural and suitable for the body. Schooling enforces eating by time.
Our children are saved from the burdens of bad teachers.
Homeschooling is for the entire family. Children learn. Parents unlearn. Both mature & bond.
Schooling doesn't support children with special physical or health conditions. Homeschooling doesn't discriminate.
On an average, when homeschooled children go to college, they have been found to perform well academically.
Homeschooling doesn't restrict experiences as per age. Children are free to experience whatever they like.
We get a lot of time to bond as a family.
Our children are allowed to express themselves. They are listened to. Unlike schooling, which is one way.
Sibling bonds become even stronger.
Homeschoolers can explore themselves without interference from others.
Homeschoolers can graduate early if they wish to go for higher studies.
Homeschoolers can go to the bathroom without permission.
Homeschoolers develop autonomy.
Homeschoolers can start their own business. Our children are already part of each and every aspect of my business.
Homeschooler's religious beliefs are not disturbed.
We just focus on the elder child. Younger ones just follow their elder siblings.
Homeschoolers can start earning from teenage years itself.
Homeschoolers don't have stressful mornings.
Homeschoolers can easily develop mastery in one field as they can focus completely on it uninterrupted.
People on top of all fields are the ones who either gave up schooling or stopped following others during college years.
Homeschooling is now widely recognized all over the world and is gaining recognition and acceptance for its simplicity and benefits.
Lot of support groups, workshops, forums, homeschool themed schools, institutes have been established rapidly all over the world during recent years.
We get to spend quality time with our children.
Homeschooling protects children from bullies and negativity from peers.
Homeschoolers are never busy with unnecessary burdens of coaching, homework etc.
Homeschoolers are protected from exposure to underage smoking, alcohol use and teenage pregnancy. These all are due to prolonged disconnection of children from home.
It's a tremendous joy to see our children learn new things.
We make sure that our children compare themselves and try to better themselves. Comparison with peers or role models is not there.
Homeschoolers become lifelong learners.
Behavioral problems in homeschooled children are recognized early and easy to modify.
We have developed an ability to support our children to think for themself.
Homeschoolers get more time for hobbies. Hobbies can become great professions eventually.
Homeschooling challenges assumptions. This instills an ability to challenge obsolete assumptions in children.
Homeschooling prevents labeling of children.
Dr. Madhukar Dama
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