Subject: Reaching Higher - The Importance of Support

Reaching Higher
Homeschool News
The Importance of Support
SUPPORTING EACH OTHER ON OUR JOURNEY

At the recent home education expo held in the Eastern Cape as well as the Winter Workshop in the Western Cape, homeschooling parents just couldn't seem to get enough from the speakers who shared their passion for homeschooling during the course of their talks and slide-shows.

Well-known experts gave parents a gourmet course of information to satisfy their hunger for facts, encouragement, advice and support for their education choice.

It brought home the absolute need for homeschoolers to have support and to share information and encouragement with one another.

We are all like the proverbial fish, swimming upstream, making a choice that is contrary to the majority of parents in our communities and so it is sometimes a lonely and challenging road.

Its challenging, not just because we have to take responsibility for choices such as curriculum materials, but we face discipline issues, criticism from skeptics and even our own doubts and fears.

Even after over 15 years of homeschooling, we still face these struggles too!

Its tough!

And yet, sadly, we hear that in some areas of the country home educating families keep themselves deliberately isolated from others for fear that their choices will also be judged and criticised by fellow-homeschoolers.

Having been part of successful homeschool support groups and events over the years, we want to encourage you to reach out to your fellow homeschoolers, especially those who seem isolated and build relationship with them.

Here are some suggestions to help you do so:

  1. Plan an outing to a place of interest and invite others
  2. Arrange a social event such as a picnic
  3. Have a homeschool info day in your area to answer FAQs or
  4. Simply invite one family to share a meal in your home and get to know you

You don't have to discuss thorny topics such as religion, politics or the curriculum you use (if any)!

Secondly, support the provincial organisations that are in your area by signing up as a member family. The provincial assocations are there to represent your interests nationally and will keep membership confidential. They are run by fellow-homeschoolers who are passionate about serving others and helping to support and promote homeschooling in SA. They are serving you but they need your support and involvement.

While some of us may have very strong opinions about various issues relating to homeschooling, lets not let the fear of diversity keep us from being involved and supporting and encouraging one another.

Even if you are still very green, your participation will encourage others whose passion is to serve you and support you on your educational journey and you will benefit from the experiences of others.

Click here for more tips on Starting a Support Group


Click here to find existing South African Homeschool Support Groups.


INVEST IN YOURSELF AND BUILD YOUR CONFIDENCE

So many homeschooling parents feel a little bit shaky and unsure about some of their decisions because they are literally taking their family on an educational journey that no one has mapped out for them. That uncertainty can be unnerving.

We've seen numerous families trip up along the way because, in their inexperience, they made wrong choices with regards to curriculum options or because of struggles with a particular child in the family.

Its 2014 (not 1994) and the way is no longer completely unknown! There are now a growing number of experienced homeschooling pioneers in SA to help you plot your route to success.

One of these is Martie du Plessis of www.dynamislearning.co.za

If you haven't yet done so, invest in a seminar plus a family consultation with Martie and let her help you plot the way forward, with a specific plan, tailor made to suit each member of your family and their learning styles!

Seminar Dates

28 August - 3 September 2014 August 2014
Paarl , Cape Seminar And Personal Consultations
30 August 2014 August 2014
Bellville, Cape: Home Education Expo
11- 15 October 2014
George Expo and Dynamis consultations
4 July 2014 July 2014
Midrand FULLY BOOKED
26 July 2014 SATELITE SEMINAR 26 July 2014
CENTURION, GAUTENG Satelite Seminar
9 August 2014 SATELITE SEMINAR 9 August 2014
CENTURION, GAUTENG SATELITE SEMINAR
19 September 2014 19 September 2014
LYDENBURG SEMINAR AND CONSULTATIONS

Contact Martie
Cape Home Educators Homeschool Expo

Saturday 30 August

Belville Civic Centre, Voortrekker Road, Belville, CAPE TOWN

10h00-16h00

Footprints will be there!

For more info contact
Linda Koetsier
koetsier@flotron.co.za

In response to the threats to the freedom of home educators in South Africa (and worldwide), we have created a free printable page with scriptures and prayers for you to download and use as a reminder.

Download here:

Homeschool support is one of the valuable sources that homeschooling
families can tap into. There are two catches though that you need to be
aware of.
Cape Home Educators Homeschool Expo

Saturday 30 August

Belville Civic Centre, Voortrekker Road, Belville, CAPE TOWN

10h00-16h00

Footprints will be there!

For more info contact
Linda Koetsier
koetsier@flotron.co.za






Educational Products
Explore the range of educational products that you can use to enhance your children’s homeschooling in South Africa.
Cape Home Educators Homeschool Expo

Saturday 30 August

Belville Civic Centre, Voortrekker Road, Belville, CAPE TOWN

10h00-16h00

Footprints will be there!

For more info contact
Linda Koetsier
koetsier@flotron.co.za
PO Box 400, Hermanus, 7200,South Africa
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