Embracing Alternative Education in Australia: Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone
Are you considering homeschooling your child? If so, you're not alone. More and more parents are choosing to educate their children at home, and for good reason. Homeschooling offers a number of benefits, including: A more personalized learning experience The ability to tailor the curriculum to your child's individual needs More flexibility and freedom The opportunity to instill strong values and beliefs But homeschooling can also be daunting. It's a big decision, and it's important to do your research. That's where this blog comes in.
HOME EDUCATIONALTERNATIVE EDUCATIONHOME SCHOOLING AUSTRALIA
Annmarie Beatty
9/5/20233 min read
Many of us gravitate towards comfort, despite the undeniable truth that the most significant growth occurs when we venture beyond our comfort zones. Imagine a world where we never took uncertain steps into the unknown - we might still be dwelling in caves, hurling rocks at mammoths, waiting for someone to discover fire. Thomas Alva Edison wouldn't have gifted us with the light bulb, and we might never have discovered that bacon pairs beautifully with just about everything.
Contemplating the idea of homeschooling can indeed be daunting.
The majority of people opt to remain within their familiar territory because they fear the prospect of failure, isolation, or disrupting the status quo. They've been conditioned to believe that traditional schooling is the only path to education. They convince themselves that they shouldn't challenge the norm, disregarding their gut feeling that their child might not be prepared for the rigors of conventional schooling. So, they stick with the conventional choice, even when they harbor doubts, only to later wonder what might have been prevented.
But consider this: if you never step outside of your comfort zone, how can you truly gauge your potential or what your child is capable of achieving?
Athletes continually break sports records because they push their limits. They refuse to settle for their current level of achievement. They aspire to discover their true potential, so they dedicate themselves to rigorous training. They willingly exit their comfort zones, adopting new training regimens, lifting heavier weights, extending workout duration, and running faster. The outcome of this willingness to get uncomfortable is the setting of new personal bests and sometimes even world records.
All of this can be attributed to the Yerkes-Dodson Law, formulated by psychologists Dodson and Yerkes in the early 20th century. They discovered that stress, to a certain degree, leads to achievement. What they observed was that substantial achievements didn't materialize until an individual voluntarily took small steps beyond their comfort zone, away from their familiar surroundings and routines.
It's crucial to emphasize that this discussion pertains to adults making choices for the young minds they are nurturing. Regrettably, some have used sending vulnerable children into the school system as a means to build resilience and toughen them up. However, this approach has often left lasting trauma well into adulthood. If you or someone you know falls into this category, please reach out for assistance. As a Therapeutic Life Coach, I offer one-on-one sessions to help individuals recover from school-related traumas and anxiety. Book Here.
How much of school is voluntary for our children?
Remember, small steps lead to significant change.
Dodson and Yerkes observed that when individuals were thrust into entirely unfamiliar and stressful environments, their performance suffered. However, taking gradual steps beyond one's comfort zone gradually expanded the boundaries of what felt comfortable and manageable. Over time, tackling new tasks and embracing unfamiliar experiences became easier.
If the thought of sending your child into the traditional school system causes you physical or mental distress, perhaps it's time to consider homeschooling. Don't leap into it headfirst; instead, take a small, measured step.
Find out if you qualify for homeschooling. E-Book Link Here.
Did you know that in most states in Australia, you only need to register for homeschooling when your child turns six? Rather than enrolling them in the local school at the tender age of 4.5 or 5, consider keeping them at home during those early years.
Connect with your local community of experienced home-schoolers or conduct an online search for support and resources. These small steps outside of your comfort zone will eventually empower you to make a more informed choice for your children, especially when they are young and reliant on you for guidance.
I'm Annmarie, and if you're ready to explore this alternative educational path, I invite you to book a discovery call with me.
Let's embark on this journey together.
TL;DR: In a world that values comfort, we often miss out on substantial personal and educational growth by staying within our comfort zones. This blog advocates for exploring alternative education options in Australia, such as homeschooling, and highlights how stepping out of your comfort zone can lead to significant achievements. It discusses the Yerkes-Dodson Law, which shows that stress can drive achievement when we willingly leave our comfort zones. It cautions against sending unprepared children into traditional schools and offers support for those dealing with school-related trauma. The blog advises taking small steps towards homeschooling and connecting with local homeschooling communities. It encourages parents to consider this alternative education path with confidence and offers one-on-one coaching for support.
