The HEFA Podcast - The Heart Of Home Education

Join Craigy, Cheryl and Elen as we have another round of answering questions from the HEFA community! This week we discuss surviving the summer holidays, dealing with judgement from others, teaching subjects we arent comfortable with, core subjects and much more!

This week I am joined by Megan who shares her experience of home educating different ages. Megan decided to home ed because her children were unhappy in their school settings and she noticed that each child had different needs and learning styles she felt could be better met at home. She follows a child-led approach and advises families considering home ed to take the leap and embrace the chaos, as it can make a huge difference to the family!

This week Elen, Cheryl and Craigy answer more questions from our HEFA members. 00:00 Introduction and Lego Version of Craig 02:44 Taking Time Out for Yourself When Children Are Around 24/7 13:44 Involving Children in Activities While Having Personal Time 20:26 The Role of Exposure, Motivation, and Play 26:48 The Benefits of Handwriting and Cursive Writing 31:38 Seeking Support for Struggling Readers and Writers 39:28 Understanding Homeschooling Education Standards 44:56 Navigating the Dynamics Between Home Educators and Local Authorities 45:26 Asserting Your Rights as a Home Educator 53:05 The Importance of Community Support in Home Education 01:09 Education Starts from Birth: Debunking the Ideal Age Myth

This week, I talk to Mel as she shares her experience of home educating her 13-year-old daughter. *please note there is mention of self harm in this episode* Mel explains that her daughter had always struggled with school, particularly with social anxiety and the rigidity of the school environment. After a series of seizures and a decline in her mental health, Mel decided to home educate. Join us as we discuss how they started with a structured approach but eventually transitioned to a more relaxed style and her daughter's interests in history, art, and psychology. Mel discusses how home ed has had a positive impact on her daughter's mental health and overall well-being, and we explore the flexibility and benefits of home ed, particularly for teenagers who have experienced trauma.