John Holt & Pat Farenga Teach Homeschoolers How to Learn

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Let’s chat about John Holt & Pat Farenga’s book, Teach Your Own: The John Holt Book of Home Schooling, and how it informs your homeschool life.

John Holt wrote another small book, Why Children Fail, that revolutionized my approach to home education.

You too?

I’ve heard that I’m not the only one, so if you’ve been introduced to him, would you share where you first met him and how he affected your homeschool in the comments below?

Here’s how I see John Holt & Pat Farenga can inform your homeschool…

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Introducing the 7 lessons we can learn from John Holt & Pat Farenga in their book, Teach Your Own.

1. On the purpose of education:

“Homeschooling isn’t just another instruction delivery system; it shows us alternative ways to teach and learn, and to participate in family and community life; ways to find work or get into higher education without jumping through the standardized hoops of mass-market schooling; ways to use school rather than have school use you”–Pat Farenga

When we first begin our homeschool journey, we don’t realize that it’s not just about a delivery system for knowledge bits, but rather a way, a lifestyle, and living a life purposefully.

2. On the role of parents in education:

“The most important factor in the development of a child is the relationship between him and his parents.”–John Holt

We realize very quickly into our homeschool journey that the learning opportunities, the curriculum choices, the routines, the planners, and even the discussion on homeschool socialization, aren’t the most important element of our homeschool family lives: it’s the relationships within our homes.

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3. On the nature of learning:

“Children learn from anything and everything they see. They learn wherever they are, not just in special learning places.”–John Holt

Though I designed a homeschool room because it seemed like the responsible thing to do at the time, I discovered that kids learn in the mini-van, the park, at the grocery store, and even in the doctor’s office when we visit.

Kids learn everywhere.

Because it’s what they were born to do.

4. On the importance of freedom in education:

“Learning is not the product of teaching. Learning is the product of the activity of learners.”–John Holt

Because we’re so saturated in a school-based culture, we assume that what the school tells us is true: we can’t learn unless we have a teacher, we can’t learn unless we have a book and a writing utensil and instruction.

It just ain’t so. Kids learn because they are meant to.

Learning is what happens when you get out of your kids way.

5. On the individuality of children:

“The child is curious. He wants to make sense out of things, find out how things work, gain competence and control over himself and his environment, and do what he can see other people doing.”–John Holt

Our homeschool kids might do what they’re told if their resistance and disinterest are met with consequences, but it won’t internally motivate them.

I believe true motivation comes from within, and our homeschool mother role lies in creating an environment that nurtures curiosity, independence, and a genuine desire to explore.

6. On the value of self-directed learning:

“We learn to do something by doing it. There is no other way.”–John Holt

Married to a medical doctor, I’ve heard the story again and again: in medical school, med students were educated with this belief: see one, do one, teach one.

If you want to learn how to sew up a wound, you have to watch someone sew up a wound. Then when you had another opportunity to be in the presence of another patient’s wound, you asked if you could do it. Then the next time you had another chance, you taught someone else how to do it.

Therefore, you learn because you do.

7. On the importance of trusting children:

“We have to trust the child as a learner, as someone who wants to learn, who is curious, who wants to get on in the world, who wants to find out.”–John Holt

I believe there’s very little impetus for individuated existence in our hyper-dependent systems thinking. In other words, we’re told to follow along, fall in line, and do what everyone else is doing.

Turns out, we each weren’t placed on the planet for the same reasons: we’re here for different reasons. And our kids were meant to be here for unique reasons too.

Just as John Holt writes, we have to trust each child to follow their learning paths, so they can maintain their curiosity and go out into the world to do meaningful things for their lives.

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As homeschool parents, we can tailor our children’s education to their individual needs, interests, and learning styles.

By leaning into child-led learning, we can enable our kids to take ownership of their education and lives, fostering a deep sense of curiosity and autonomy toward their learning.

Breaking free from the constraints of traditional schooling is liberating.

Deschooling our homeschools involves letting go of preconceived notions about education and embracing a more flexible and holistic approach. We can create an environment that fosters creativity, critical thinking, and a love for learning.

John Holt & Pat Farenga teach us that teaching our kids means trusting in our children’s innate curiosity and natural ability to learn, rather than relying solely on formal instruction and conventional approaches.

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Frequently Asked Questions about the Homeschool Mama Book Club…

When will I see the Book Club Zoom link?

You’ll see the zoom link in the Homeschool Mama Support Group on the morning of the Book Club.

Where can I purchase the book?

Your favourite local bookshop presently.

(Or on my Homeschool Mama Book Club Book Shop).

Where do I find your book?

On Amazon, unless you live where I live, then it’s at my local bookstore too.

PS my book is called Homeschool Mama Self-Care: Nurturing the Nurturer.

Does this Book Club cost?

Yes, the nominal Book Club purchase enables the Zoom group platform.

(Oh, and it costs you time. You’ll have to find a quiet hour and a half away from your kids and responsibilities to spend time on YOU!)

Do you have a recommended Homeschool Mama Reading List?

Why, yes I do! But FYI, it’s always expanding. 

You can find the Homeschool Reading List here.

If you’d like a book list for Homeschool Mama’s Personal Growth Reading List, you can find that here.

I also have a Homeschool Mama’s Relationships Reading List.

How long is the Book Club?

Usually about an hour.

Can I ask questions about the book and its applications to my homeschool?

Absolutely! I’ll share my insights from the book and how they apply to our homeschools.

If you have thoughts, insights, or questions, we will all benefit from the discussion.

How can I connect with others at the Book Club?

You are most welcome to join our monthly Support Chats, and group coaching, or connect with me one-on-one for coaching.

Want to connect with me directly?

I offer one-on-one coaching sessions.

Do you want to address your challenges around overwhelm, big emotions, boundaries, deschooling, and anything that might keep you from showing up on purpose in your homeschool (& life)?

Connect with me here.

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Call to Adventure by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3470-call-to-adventure
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/