Back to learning how you can use the FARM to support your child!

As the official school holidays have come to a end and many traditional educated children return to school, this is a time that many don’t return whether already planned or the build up to returning has turned out to be too overwhelming for your child it can be a challenging but also freeing experience.

It’s a time that for home education families and those who educate their children through means other than traditional schooling, looks a little different. Some may of continued to fully embrace homeschooling through the summer but some also do take the summer off or a more laid back approach and it’s all about what works for you and your children.

As a mixed education other than school and traditional schooling family, we embrace a more laid back learning environment during the holidays to accommodate all three of my children and that’s what works for us but everyday is a day of learning in nature as it has so much to teach us but in a playful and enjoyable laid back way.

For home education families, the start of the school year doesn't necessarily mean a return to a physical classroom. Instead, it means diving back into their personalized curriculum, setting goals for the upcoming year, and creating a schedule that works best for their family. Home education families have the flexibility to tailor their child's education to their individual needs and interests, allowing for a more personalized learning experience.

For those who educate their children through means other than traditional schooling, such as online programs or classes, the back-to-school season may involve enrolling in new courses, purchasing supplies, and adjusting to a new routine.

These families also have the flexibility to customize their child's education, while still benefiting from the structure and resources of formal education programs.

Regardless of the method of education chosen, the back-to-school season is a time of excitement and anticipation for both parents and children. It's a time to set goals, make plans, and embark on a new learning journey. And while the methods may vary, the ultimate goal remains the same - to provide a quality education that prepares children for success in the future.

But it’s also vital that we take a whole wellbeing approach to ensure the children are supported as much emotionally and mentally as physically because for many children especially SEN children they may have been through a system that was set up to fail them and this is something I’m so passionate about, many children’s needs are not identified or supported through some settings or not until a later stage, as it’s all down to funding and a battle to advocate your child’s needs with settings limited on budget and resources so the child inevitably is left to struggle for longer building on already challenging situations leading to them becoming overwhelmed dis-regulated and inevitable disengaging in what should be the best years of their lives, learning new things and growing.

These flaws within the support system and education of our children then causes trauma for the child that without the correct support impacts them for the rest of their lives.

So what can we do to set our children up for success?

If in a school setting are their needs on all levels been met? If your child has additional needs are these been met and supported if not why not? How can you raise these concerns and advocate for them to be supported. Knowing yours and your child’s rights are key because you do not need a formal diagnosis to get support just evidence, seeking support and gaining a network of support from others is key. Lived parent experience is so valuable and sharing knowledge.

If your child’s struggling to go to school getting to the root cause and opening up a compassionate and understanding communication is key there is always a reason and getting to know it is key to helping support your child!

If your child is educated other than in school what is their learning style what sparks their interest you don’t have to learn in

A traditional way there is so many other ways to learn and resource to

Support that it’s about engaging and supporting and understanding what works for your individual child, it’s not a one size fits all and allowing a flexible approach to what works and what doesn’t, this can also change depending on their needs or regulated state.

So whether you're a home education family, a parent educating through alternative means, or a traditional school family, the back-to-school season is a time of new beginnings and endless possibilities. Here's to a successful and fulfilling school year for all!

Remember The Farming Mother is here to listen and support not just children but parents too.