A few days ago I published Magnet a report on the homeschooling in Spain, and in Babies and More We talked to you about all the considerations that a family that is planning to exercise should ensure, given the experiences of many interviewed families who once opted for this option.
The key and subsequent question is why. What moves a family, one or more parents, to choose an illegal educational option in Spain, which at least, without going to value it, is going to involve many extra headaches compared to those that already supposes the mere breeding.
From literature to educational freedom
clear (fictitious name since it requires anonymity) is a Spanish mother whose son is not yet of school age, but will be imminently, from next September 1, when with the law in hand must be schooled. She, along with her husband, already made the decision to practice the homeschooling more than three years ago In your case, reading some articles "opened his eyes" and began to deepen the subject no return.
In some cases, it all starts with the reading of theses they like and from there will come information and decisions
Roland Meighan and Alan Thomas were the two authors in particular that marked him at first.
Both are listed in the book. Educate at home day by day published by the Association for Free Education. John Holt, through his books The failure of the school Y How children learn He is also another key author of his choice.
Literature that has made him consider that the most coherent thing is to “investigate what children really need and how they learn best”, and that it is parents who should be able to choose how and where they educate their children.
"A more respectful education"
Laura Mascaró Laura Mascaró, mother and activist homeschooler, realize that this decision, although not necessarily easy, is "full of advantages." According to her, when a child is educated at home that education follows its rhythm, its interests, and it is he who rules in it. "This does not mean they can do what they want, but it is a much more respectful education with him."
However, Laura believes that one cannot speak of a single motivation, not even some in particular, since each family will have a different one. In some cases, even for having had a bad experience with traditional schooling.
"My interests and my rhythm"
Leonel Virosta Leonel Virosta is one of the most recognized figures in the homeschooling among those who have experienced it in themselves: this 19-year-old Avulense, son of actors, finished primary education in a traditional, schooled way.
In Leonel's case it was considered that the best way to continue his education was a domestic environment in which he set his pace
From there, he studied ESO and Baccalaureate at an American distance school, but from Spain. The family decision was "mainly, for the possibility of following my interests and my learning pace. We felt that at home I was going to develop my skills more, rather than in a concentrated high school environment”.
Leonel talks about how he felt that his evolution within a classroom was slower and tedious than what he would really like, which he defines as "always curious." Being able to train on your own and at your own pace he liked it much more, as he tells us. Today he studies Cell Biology at the University of Manchester.
There are three testimonies of three very different figures in the panorama of homeschooling: that of a mother who has to hide, that of a mother who decides to signify and become visible, and that of a student who is already of age and completed her secondary studies with this model. Other cases evoke even religious issues. As Laura said, each family has their motivation.
