For many, homeschooling is a new experience that is a potentially scary and daunting path that as a parent you never thought you would ever have to navigate. Due to the current rolling lockdowns around the globe and especially here in Australia, parents have found themselves in very murky, uncharted waters, trying to navigate their way upstream with no map, no compass and what feels like at times, no boat. 

What you are about to read is a digest of some of Euka’s most valuable, battle-tested tips and strategies that we have tested, refined, then tested some more, with over 5,000 of our Euka future learners over the last 5 years. Some are so simple you’ll utter the words of the one and only Homer Simpson “DOH” whilst many will be new and extremely helpful. Add these to your homeschooling future learning toolbelt and try them out.

Learning from home may seem like a new thing for many, however, here at Euka, we have been educating thousands of students from all over the country for years, with amazing success.

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world” – Nelson Mandela.

Before we dive in, if you would like to know more about Euka and why we exist, please click here, or feel free to check it out once you have finished reading.

One last item to tick off. Throughout this guide, you will see the term “Future learning” referenced along with the word homeschooling crossed out. 

Why?
Great question.

*Euka is not a traditional homeschooling company, in fact, we are very different. 

Empowering, trail-blazing, passionate and exceptional, we are changing the game. Not satisfied by simply building on existing frameworks, we’re learning from the past, breaking the mould and making individualised, innovative and imaginative education accessible to all.

We exist to see students thrive, not held back by outdated and restrictive systems. Instead, being free to pursue their passions, marching to the beat of their own drum and, importantly, focused to fulfil their unique potential.

Combining technology, creativity and innovation with real-world experiential learning that meets, and often exceeds, the Australian Curriculum criteria, we’re at the forefront of a whole new way of schooling. We’re learning from the past, to develop learning for the future. Simply put, it’s future learning — a new way.

So if you are looking for an easy to digest read that provides valuable tips and a TON of free resources to make the homeschooling future learning experience productive and enjoyable, allowing you to maximize your time, sanity and create a vibrant, positive experience for you and your children, then without further ado… 

Let’s get started mastering your future learning journey.

What’s to come?

Part 1: *Future learning  During Lockdown

• Words from the Author
• You are far more equipped and capable than you think, you can do it
• How to support your children and never miss a work meeting or deadline
• How to drastically reduce your schooling time by 60% and have your child learn more
• Do this daily, it’s a must!
• Secret resources to boost reading habits
• A strategic method to enhance brain power and learning retention
• How to maximise the success of your homeschooling future learning experience
• You are not a teacher, nor do you need to be
• How to create a world class personalised learning environment for your children
• How to mitigate those dastardly distractions
• How to study with friends whilst setting your children up for success
• Powerful personalised learning opportunities to avoid boredom and maximise the love for learning
• 13 fun filled activities that cost less than a cup of coffee (most are free) 
• Managing the Snack Sneaks
• Secret Teaching Strategies that Teachers use

Part 2: What’s Next

Words from the Author and Founder of Euka

As a mother of five, I have been where you are; I get it. Starting homeschooling is daunting, however, that is exactly why Euka was created.

​​Education has always been an intense interest of mine. I completed my University training in 1994 and enjoyed the challenges that classroom teaching provided. As my work in schools continued, I worked as both a classroom teacher and Student Behaviour manager, and my desire to see educational change continually grew. I actively sought out opportunities to learn more about the various styles of education. Completing additional study in Gifted & Talented Education, intensified my desire to analyse how children learn, & what styles of learning facilitate exceptional learning. 

After having my own children, I decided to begin homeschooling and spent time devoting myself to putting these ideals and learnings into practice. After discovering that there was not a complete Australian homeschool program that covered all the subjects, I began to write the program that I wished to share, not only with my own children, but the growing number of families also seeking a new way. And so Euka began. I chose and developed lessons that promote the stimulation of real, open-ended challenges in order to develop creative problem-solving approaches and techniques. Most importantly, I focused on lessons that stimulated a spirit of inquiry and a love of learning.

Over the past five years, the group of dedicated visionary teachers, writing and developing lessons, grew. Passionate support staff were added to the driven leadership team, who shared a vision for an innovative new way of education. As a result, thousands of families have enrolled with Euka and seen their children thrive.

Homeschooling during lockdown looks different for each family and it depends heavily on what resources your school is providing. Some are offering a group of worksheets collected from the school office, others have Zoom meetings and textbooks. Regardless of the resources the school is giving you, it can feel overwhelming and that is perfectly natural. Even a trained teacher feels like this when suddenly given someone else’s planning. Like all tasks, stepping into it without preparation takes some catching up. 

You may have already had positive or negative experiences with homeschooling. Either way,  use this guide as a way to recalibrate and start over. Not only will you gain some valuable tips, but we plan to empower you as you step into the next phase of your homeschooling.

You are Far More Equipped and Capable Than You Think, You Can Do It!

Making the decision to not only scrape through but to thrive and embrace the moment, is the first step to success! If you really look at it closely, homeschooling is what you have been doing since your child was born. All the most important things that your child knows have been taught by you. Bill Gates famously said “Research shows that there is only half as much variation in student achievement between schools as there is among classrooms in the same school. If you want your child to get the best education possible, it is actually more important to get him assigned to a great teacher than to a great school.”

There is no greater teacher than a parent! The only difference between you and the school teacher, is that the teacher has the lesson notes! Four years of University allows teachers to understand different learning styles and how to plan lessons, however, you already know how your child learns, and the lessons are already mapped out for you. You are the best teacher your children could have….why?….because you love them. Real learning can only come when a child feels comfortable to ask questions, fail and try again. In the home environment, this is a natural part of life. So as you begin your homeschool reset, realise that depending on the age of the child you are working with, you have already had at least five or more years of teaching experience! 

How to Support Your Children and Never Miss a Work Meeting or Deadline

Working from home and homeschooling is a juggle, but let’s face it, what part of parenting isn’t?

The key to success when both homeschooling and working from home is to set up clear time management plans. Remember, children naturally want you beside them enjoying the game, art or lesson 24 hours a day BUT at school, this does not happen. The teacher explains the activity, answers questions and the students get on with it. At home, children tend to ask multiple questions, some valid and some as a way of keeping you nearby. An egg timer is a wonderful way to help children independently get on with a task. Ensuring all questions have been answered and letting them know the timer is now on, allows them to focus on the task, and you to focus on your work. If they think of a burning question (which they will) ask them to write it down on a piece of paper, or save it until the timer goes off.

Be aware that every child is different. Knowing how your child works most efficiently, should be the guide when making decisions on how long to expect the timer to be set for. You may find that experimenting for the first day or two will be helpful. 

“Every student can learn, just not on the same day, or the same way.” –George Evans

As a general guide, younger children in school are expected to work for at least 15 -20  minutes without interruption. Grade 2 -6 should reasonably be expected to work for 30 – 45 minutes on a task. Those in high school will only require some initial instructions and can work for blocks of time e.g: Morning Session, Middle Session and Afternoon session. It is vital that you adjust the time to suit your own child and circumstances. Keep in mind that high schoolers are so used to 40 minute school periods that a brain break may be needed to keep things fresh. These sections of focus time are important, not just so you can get your work done, but also to encourage independence in your child. This is especially important in creative work where their own imagination is required. Subjects that you know your child needs support in should be scheduled early, before you start work, so that you can invest the time into the lesson as needed. If you are planning a meeting on Zoom, have the children take time out for lunch or leisure activity. The key is ensuring that your time is spread wisely, allowing blocks of time to focus on what you need to. 

How to drastically reduce your schooling time by 60% and have your child learn more

The very best way for you and your child to feel like a master is to be productive. Productivity is not dependent on what the school has given you, it is all about how you plan to cover the course work set by your school and support any areas your child shows an interest in. 

Let’s look at some productivity tips that have helped the thousands of students we have worked with at Euka. The following areas will provide you with an array of ideas. Some will work for you, others you may find less relevant. The key to mastering future learning is to realise that you already have the experience, and you know your own child better than anyone. Take a pen and paper and jot down the tips that you may like to try with your children. Like anything, there will be some trial and error, but no doubt some gems will be uncovered. 

Do this daily, it’s a must!

The first tip to success is to make improvements daily. Setting the goal of improvement rather than expecting everything to be done perfectly, is a more achievable and positive way to view your homeschooling. Never underestimate the ripple effect that small wins in one area can have on everything else. Choose one thing to focus on daily. It may be that on Monday you want to help your child with maths. You might try looking for examples of the maths concepts online to build more clarity. YouTube has a huge array of helpful instruction videos for just about anything. 

On Tuesday you might choose to focus on the ability to complete a worksheet neatly (not every one). Compare the quality of work from yesterday with today’s for a quick burst of success. In this way, you will have something to celebrate each day. This mindset will build confidence in your child’s own self-image as a learner, leading to a renewed enthusiasm to tackle the next task. Success is a series of small wins. 

Secret resources to boost reading habits

What a great opportunity you have to provide alternative reading material. Set some time each day for your children to choose and read any novel they like. They will have been given set reading from school, but open the world up to them by offering a chance to choose an extra book to read. Libraries are closed and book shops too, but with the huge array of books ready to download, your child can be reading on the laptop or even on their phone. And don’t discount Audiobooks! A family time listening to a great audiobook can be a fun way to spend an afternoon. Many Euka families have an audiobook playing while the children do their art. This allows them to use their hands while also listening to the story.

Good Reads have a huge variety of free books to read online: https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/free-online

Younger children (and parents) will enjoy the opportunity to listen to stories being read aloud by famous actors. https://storylineonline.net/

A Strategic Method to Enhance Brain Power and Learning Retention

During a homeschooling day, especially when using provided materials from school, the students have to apply their mind to various subjects. To sharpen the brain, it is a great idea to schedule in some brain breaks. Stepping outside to perform some physical activities like walking, running, and jogging can add freshness and enthusiasm to each new subject. This can be a chance to have fun and enjoy family time. You might like to create a circuit by printing off the exercise cards and placing them around the yard or room, We have added Euka Fitness cards here (Click Here)

Marking a distance and timing each other at walk, jog and sprint can also be a great brain break. A longer midday break with a bike ride or neighbourhood walk can be a nice way to space out the day. 

With your education program in hand, what can you do to increase the odds that your children will remember what you teach them? Studies suggest that we tend to remember the first thing and last thing we learn. In other words, after an hour of study, learners are most likely to remember what happened in the first 10 minute and the last 10 minutes. Keeping lessons short (1/2 – 1 hour) ensures that your learners are actually able to remember and implement their new knowledge and skills.

How to maximise the success of your homeschooling future learning experience

There is no better way to become successful than to decide what success looks like! Having a daily plan allows you to feel empowered and in control of the day. Yes, life happens. plans almost always change. By adding just the key lessons to your plan, you will be able to achieve the goals set for the day. The key is to factor in the “life moments”. Someone may fall over and get hurt during a brain break, the paint may get spilt, an activity sheet may end up with an upsetting unchangeable error. Leaving good spaces between activities on your plan, and not expecting to run to a tight schedule, will allow you to roll with the punches. You may need to abandon a lesson and come back to it. Remember that in the classroom these types of things happen every day. With 28 children you can only imagine how many unexpected interruptions happen! Teachers rarely get all that they plan done in a day. Give yourself and your children the gift of flexibility. After all, a completed worksheet is not the only way to show a successful lesson. 

Sometimes a discussion can reinforce learning more effectively than a worksheet. 

“Don’t confuse schooling with education” – Elon Musk.

You are not a teacher, nor do you need to be

Many times parents have their own blocks or negative feelings about certain subjects. No need to worry, As mentioned there are wonderful resources on YouTube that could be helpful in explaining things. For example, if Maths is the sticking point (it often is!) you will find a huge library of resources on Math Antics https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBuMwlP7kHkNxdPAqtFSJTw

Crash Course videos cover everything from History to physics.https://www.youtube.com/user/crashcourse

If you find your child is skipping through the provided resources or that there is not as much provided as you would have liked, Euka allows families who are still at school to enrol in a Term at a time. This means you can access all the subjects and topics covered at school, on your very own planned out Portal. With all lesson preparation done for you, your child can independently complete their schooling. You can even pick and choose which parts of the program you want to use… total freedom. https://euka.edu.au/

It is crucial to remove fear and be prepared to face challenges. You are not expected to know it all. The teacher always has the answer book! Equip yourself with support and you will find fear a thing of the past.

“Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school” – Albert Einstein

How to create a world class personalised learning environment for your children

It is not uncommon to hear children say “I am hopeless at Maths” or “I stink at Science”. This is your chance to help them redefine themselves. At Euka, we have seen time and again that everyone is capable of learning anything when given the chance to learn in their own way. If your child feels like there is a subject they cannot do, it is simply because they have not had it explained in a way that works for them. In the classroom setting the teacher cannot adapt the teaching style or pace to suit each child. In fact, they most often need to choose a style of learning that most children will relate to and keep moving. Children who are unsure are often reluctant to raise their hand and ask a question, causing them to fall further behind. Reassure your child that the only difference between them and someone who is great at maths is that they have been able to grasp it in the way the teacher taught it. Often it is the pace that needs changing. Take some time to go back and help your child revise concepts that were covered earlier in the year. Lockdown is the perfect opportunity for your child to spend extra time on subjects or concepts they are struggling with. 

Take time to adapt the activity to your child. For example, if your child is learning fractions and the way the worksheet is set out is putting them off, why not order a pizza and look at what fractions actually look like in real life. There are plenty of hands-on, easy to teach, activities for most concepts – check out Pinterest (Click Here)

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

How to mitigate those dastardly distractions

Yes, this is easier said than done! Distractions, after all, are a part of life. Remember the classroom is also full of disruptions. From students distracting each other, to bells, people at the classroom door and various issues that arise in a lesson, your children are never in a silent learning environment at school!  The key here is to choose your timing. If you are wanting your child to focus on Maths or reading, place those subjects early in the day when your child has the best concentration levels and siblings are more likely to be asleep or occupied. All children find direction in focussed time. A stopwatch or timer can be invaluable to allow them to block out distractions for small amounts of time to achieve a specified task. Funnily enough, distractions can also be helpful. Moving the learning outside on a nice day is a great way to provide freshness and enthusiasm about the day’s lessons. Clearly ensuring that phones are not on the table for teenagers or that the TV is in another room with younger ones, will be a smart move. The best way to handle distractions is to be relaxed and know they will happen but by having clear goals and short, well-defined segments of time for focus, your children will breeze through them.

How to study with friends whilst setting your children up for success

A positive environment motivates us to study in a better way. While studying tough subjects such as physics and maths, older children can find it helpful to plan to study with good friends who help in solving the problems of maths and physics. Organise a group zoom call at a specific time each day for teens to study together. This way they can complete their activity sheets with confidence and also keep their friendship connections. Keep in mind what you have discovered about keeping on track. Having social Zoom catch-ups are also vital, however making sure the plan for the study session is clear, will help them keep it on track. For example, set up a 11am Physics session every Monday and Wednesday to cover the weekly Physics activity sheets as a group. 

Powerful personalised learning opportunities to avoid boredom and maximise the love for learning

The reality is that some of us have gifts in one subject and others in other subjects. All of us are different. Keeping this mind helps us set realistic expectations during the homeschooling experience. As mentioned, take time to help your child review topics they feel overwhelmed with. However once you have covered the basics, as needed by the school, why not delve into your child’s strengths. What an opportunity you have to provide your child with significant time to work on projects they are drawn to. Normal (non-lockdown) life can be crazy and busy with school work, homework and extracurricular activities, however here you are with time! Brainstorm with your child the areas they enjoy and then research what courses, or projects you can find online to support their passion. What an opportunity it is to see them thrive in areas they generally do not have time for. 

Want to seem cool and up with it? You will find some great FREE resources for learning about coding, gaming etc on the following links-

Code Academy is one of the most popular sites where people learn to code for free. More than 24 million people have learned to code using this platform. https://www.codecademy.com/

Codewars teaches you your desired programming language via a series of challenges. These code challenges draw from martial arts as each challenge is referred to as a kata. https://www.codewars.com/

Code.org is built to make programming a part of the regular education curriculum. Over a million people have used this site to further their programming knowledge and skills. https://code.org/

Learn a musical instrument. https://truefire.com/search?q=blues&nav=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw0qOIBhBhEiwAyvVcf9wq-kEix5n6IfP6t9q1AowRweiRID49jAoUfgY5Hq10REJP0WzvGBoCqeQQAvD_BwE

Learn to Paint: A free Youtube channel that has been there since 2012, and is operated by a California based art tutorials teacher and painter Stan Prokopenko, Proko has surely become a go-to stop for art beginners as well as enthusiasts. https://www.youtube.com/user/ProkoTV/featured

There are millions of ideas out there! 

If there are specific subjects at school your child loves and wants a chance to get ahead in, you might like to enroll in those at Euka. Your child can gain a huge advantage by learning the topics even a year or two ahead if they choose. 

13 fun filled activities that cost less than a cup of coffee (most are free)

As mentioned previously, taking breaks is essential in order to be fresh and ready to learn well. To keep their mind fresh and working, take time out to spend a few hours doing your children’s favourite activities. Going to a park, listening to music, reading good books, or watching movies are all great ways to take some time out. 

In a recent Euka newsletter, we published some great ideas for having fun indoors. You can check those out here: 

Here is a list of some fun things you may like to do together

Play a board game

Boardgame lovers know the art of enjoying a game on the kitchen table. You may also be pleased to know that there are ways to play your favourite games online. Websites like Tabletopia have free accounts for players, but you may need to pay to play some of the more popular or newer games. https://tabletopia.com/

Have a virtual excursion 

Although they’re closed to the public, some Aquariums have added a number of live cams to let you keep an eye on the jellyfish, kelp forest, coral reef, and even the penguins, completely free. https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/live-cams

Go to 500 museums or galleries 

If you’re looking for galleries or museums to visit, Google’s arts and culture collection has virtual tours of 500 top attractions around the world, including national galleries from around the world, individual artist museums, and even the Eiffel Tower. https://artsandculture.google.com/partner?hl=en

Tour ancient Rome

You may feel cut off from the rest of the world, but you can time travel. 

Current technology means that you can explore other cities and even other times online, such as this virtual tour of ancient Rome which takes you through the forum, Capitoline Hill, and famous monuments. https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/rome

Write a Novel 

If you have a creative writer in the family, they may be thrilled to spend some time writing. It is said that Shakespeare wrote King Lear in isolation during the plague, so maybe this is the time for your child (or yourself) to complete a novel. 

Here is a free course on “How to write a fiction novel” https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/start-writing-fiction

Have a Movie Marathon 

If you want a break from Netflix and Amazon Prime, you don’t necessarily have to pay for a subscription to watch plenty of excellent movies. Openculture has a great list of 1150 free films you can watch online right now. https://www.openculture.com/freemoviesonline

Watch a Documentary

If you feel the kids could do with a break, but want something educational, there are a few websites that give you access to free documentaries used in schools.

Whether your kids are into sharks, revolutions, or tech, you’ll find something interesting to watch. One great site is Documentary Tube. https://www.documentarytube.com/

Write a song

If you have a musical persuasion, you could channel your current emotions into a song or even an entire album of them.

Have a karaoke night 

Something for everyone. If the kids are musical or bored, Apps like AirConsole let you turn your smartphone into a mic, and sing your favourite hits. https://www.airconsole.com/

Get a penpal

Connecting with people is a real need right now. Realising they are not alone in lockdown is a great experience for your child and engaging with people around the world allows them to practise their writing and to make a new friend. You can find penpals online and get started straight away to broaden your horizons and make new connections. https://www.penpalworld.com/

Stretch out with a yoga class

Plenty of yoga studios are now streaming online classes for you to join in with. Here is a popular one you may enjoy. https://www.youtube.com/user/yogawithadriene

Sew a teddy bear

Recycling is always great. The kids could upcycle some old clothing by sewing their own teddy bear. As long as you have some fabric that you can use (perhaps some socks or an old t-shirt) and a small sewing kit, you can get started. Here are some suggestions. https://www.icreativeideas.com/how-to-diy-adorable-sock-teddy-bear/

Do a workout

Keeping active will make a big difference to how you and the kids feel mentally and physically – physical activity will help you all sleep better and lift your mood, even if you’re stuck in the same room for most of the day. You don’t need any equipment for a good workout, and there are plenty of free online videos to take you through a routine. Did you know that Euka offers Fitness Club live on Monday mornings at 8.30 am? These are provided free of charge to Euka students. A recorded version and pdf of the workout is provided so you can keep fit all week long. 

Enjoy some Cooking

Making your own cooking challenge can be fun. How many different recipes can you try? Giving each child a day of the week as their own “Cooking Dinner night” or doing an online cooking course, are some good ideas. 

Euka also runs cooking classes live with our students at 4pm on Thursdays. 

These clubs allow you to grab the ingredients prior to class, and then cook live with other children from all around Australia.

Managing the Snack Sneaks

To avoid the constant snacking problem, helping the children create a meal plan is a great start. Knowing what they will eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner is then clear. Some parents keep a fruit bowl on the cupboard or a shelf of the fringe as the “Help yourself” shelf; a place where healthy snacks can be eaten at will. Others find actually packing a lunch box is a good move. Scheduling recess and lunchtime can be very helpful with younger children. Even for us parents, food is used as a distraction when we are lost in our work, procrastinating or finding a task difficult. Those unhelpful snack breaks can be turned into the brain brakes mentioned earlier. A quick jog around the yard, or fitness circuit, can clear the mind and can get everyone back on track. 

Positively Power

Positivity is the key to success at any task. As children face a challenge, thoughts of failure, frustration, or lack of interest can creep in. Take the time to discuss the task ahead, answer questions, ensure they are feeling informed and equipped, and in most cases, they will fly through it. Only when we feel ill-equipped in skill or resources, do we get discouraged and lose the opportunity to succeed. Help children to realise that whenever they face any failure or challenge, they can look at it as an opportunity. We all learn from mistakes and improve to achieve better results next time.

Secret Teaching Strategies that Teachers use:

1. Adjust the finish line

Finishing a task before moving onto the next one builds determination. Encourage your children to finish each task. The key here is to adapt the finish line to suit your child. If the worksheet requires six boxes to be completed and you can see your child has grasped the concept but is losing interest and enthusiasm, choose three that need to be done to complete the task. It is far more important that your child is engaged and enjoying the learning, rather than ensuring every box is filled. Not adjusting the finish line to meet the child, results in the child feeling frustrated, resentful and worn out.

2. Get Kids Teaching

Teaching others will increase your child’s knowledge, as well as the person being taught. Have the children teach each other something they learnt each day. If you have one homeschooling, they can teach a parent. Instructing others and sharing what has been learnt, consolidates the learning in a whole new way.   

3. Adapt, adapt, adapt

As mentioned earlier, the classroom is full of disruptions and plans change constantly. One of the best skills of productive teachers is that they let go of what cannot be achieved or controlled. Instead, they do what is practically possible to achieve. When you receive work from school it can feel like every part must be completed within the timeframe. This is not achieved at school, so knowing this should take the pressure off at home. 

As you can see, homeschooling can be an amazing experience. Not only will your children benefit from the time you spend together, but you can rest assured that you will have a great grasp on where they are at with their education.

Part 2: Homeschooling beyond Lockdown

What if I want to continue to Homeschool? 

So your lockdown experience was positive and you’re thinking about homeschooling; you’re not alone. The number of Australian homeschoolers has increased exponentially in the last decade.

Due to the recent rolling lockdowns, many people have experienced homeschooling and have found they actually enjoy the freedom and family time it brings. When looking to move into homeschooling some common worries include

• The paperwork that needs to be done and decisions that need to be made.
• There may be an anxious child to reassure or an irritated school to deal with.
• You may have some less than enthusiastic  family members to convince

As with all new things, there’s a learning curve, but it WILL get easier. Remember there’s plenty of assistance out there if you need it. Homeschoolers are a supportive and helpful group, and of course, the Euka team is here to help.  

Read on to find out more, including: 

1. What is homeschooling?
2. Distance education vs. homeschooling 
3. Homeschooling and Socialisation
4. Homeschooling registration 
5. Travelling and Homeschooling in Australia
6. How do Australian homeschoolers get into university?
7. Financial Support for Australian Homeschoolers 
8. Do I need any qualifications to homeschool? 
9. How long does it take to homeschool?

1. What is homeschooling?

Homeschooling simply means your children learn at home and in the community, rather than at school. Parents can be as active and involved as they choose. When using Euka, parents can relax in the knowledge that the lesson plans and full year program has been written by Australian teachers and covers the full Australian Curriculum.  It DOESN’T mean you’ll be at home all the time, or that homeschooling will look anything like the school program you may have had to use during lockdown.

The research suggests that homeschool graduates who attend university fare extremely well both socially and academically. One reason is that homeschooling offers them academic opportunities they might not otherwise have had and provides them with positive habits for lifelong learning.

Euka is written to the students themselves, empowering them in their own learning. A key feature of the Euka program is the clear connection between technology and practical, relevant and creative activities. Unfortunately, the rise in educational technology has seen a steady decline in the amount of time a student spends interacting with his or her subjects. 

Studies have shown that kinesthetic (hands-on) learning, where a student carries out physical activities rather than listening to a lecture, is the most beneficial to learning – ‘doing’ helps children gain a better understanding of the material. It allows them to experiment with trial and error, learn from their mistakes, and understand the potential gaps between theory and practice. And most importantly, it provides a unique opportunity to enrich children’s minds in new and engaging ways. 

Euka provides lessons that contain hands-on experiences, experiments, creative activities, worksheets, and online instruction. No matter how your child most enjoys learning, Euka has you covered. The Euka program covers every subject – Maths, English, Science, History, Geography, Health, PE, Arts, Business/Economics, Civics & Citizenship, as well as many electives like languages, Drivers Education, Technology and more.

Individualised education is another vital aspect of the Euka program. The ability to adapt the program to fit your child by adding higher or lower levels where needed is a huge advantage. This approach allows students to master subjects they find challenging at a pace that works for them, instead of being moved along without the necessary competencies. The Euka programs individualisation program encourages students with specific passions to excel and move ahead, rather than being held back by old fashioned restrictions based on chronological age. 

There are so many exciting aspects to homeschooling that complement your education program. Many homeschoolers attend activities in their community or with homeschool groups, explore the outdoors, read dozens of books, do hands-on activities and experiments, travel, and take advantage of the endless range of activities that are by their very nature educational.

You’re welcome to try a Free Week of any Grade level by clicking the link below:

Euka Free Trial

2. Distance education vs homeschooling 

Distance education and homeschooling are often mistaken as the same thing. They are actually quite different. Distance education involves enrolling with a school, which then provides all the work. The parent makes sure the work is done, sends it back, the school grades it and produces reports. They often have online classes to attend and daily check-ins. As the parent, you are responsible for supervising the work, doing some teaching, and making sure it gets done. The level of learning is fixed. Just like school, your child will need to be working from 9am to 3pm each day. As a result, the workload is often greater than it is at school itself. 

Homeschooling involves registering to homeschool, choosing your own education program, and ensuring your child receives an education. You can add whatever you like to your homeschooling mix to create a truly individualised and interesting education. Providing a program that meets the curriculum is vital to ensure successful registration and reporting. However, you can add, adapt and get as creative as you want to with it. There are no specific timetable requirements allowing homeschoolers to work at the time and pace that suits their child. The following table shows a breakdown of what is involved in homeschooling, Distance Education and Euka, which is a form of Future Learning. 

Future Learning differs from average homeschooling in that the children receive a full education program that can be individualised to suit your child. Teachers create the lessons and provide the full Term or year for you to work through. Euka is also recognised by and engages with Universities, allowing students to use their Euka qualification to enter University without sitting the Grade 12 exams.

3. Homeschooling registration

As a homeschooling parent, you will need to register with your State Education Department. This is a breeze with Euka. We offer a Full Registration and Reporting Service that leads you right through the process and even provides you with the documentation is already done for you. Our teachers take the information you provide, and develop your individualised learning plans, ready to simply send off. Read about your specific State requirements here – https://euka.edu.au/?s=registration

4. Travelling and Homeschooling

So you want to travel Australia, to go bush and outback, to take your family to all the wonderful places that our world has to offer.

You’ve made decisions regarding your itinerary, must-see landmarks, and finances. 

There’s just one major hurdle to sort out – the children’s education.

People tell you what a wonderful educational opportunity it will be for the children, and that they’ll learn so much, and you’re sure they’re right – but it still feels like a major undertaking. For six months or a year, or maybe even more, you’re going to be the one providing their education. The great news is the Euka team is here to help. We have hundreds of families enrolled with Euka, and registered, as they travel all over the world. You can rest assured that your child will learn the full curriculum but also have the flexibility that travelling requires. This means when they return, if moving back into mainstream school, they will have no problem at all.

There are differences in how the various States approach travelling while homeschooling. Read the following article to learn more about it. https://euka.edu.au/all-resources/homeschool-traveling/

5. Homeschooling and Socialisation

This is an area that is commonly addressed. Homeschool socialisation is not a big issue. Homeschoolers regularly visit homeschool groups, and join groups like Scouts and play sports. They do the shopping and errands, visit museums and galleries, and spend lots of unstructured time with family and friends. At Euka, students have various social groups they can join online. From Minecraft Club to Cooking and Fitness Club, the students get to touch base weekly with other students.

In short, homeschooling children interact with a wide range of people from all different age groups from many demographics. While doing so they’re guided by adults who care for them and have a vested interest in their future. This kind of socialisation far outweighs the benefits of friendships based on age. Many families don’t like the socialisation that school provides. They find their children thriving when not exposed to bullying, a shallow appearance-oriented culture, or anti-intellectualism being ‘cool’. Homeschooled children learn to interact with many people across varied areas of society by interacting with many people across varied areas of society.

Interestingly a study conducted by the Home Education Network found that there are several explanations for why homeschooled students do well.

Homeschooled children have the ability to learn in real-life contexts, which could be one reason for their advantageous outcomes. Another is one-on-one mentoring and tutoring opportunities and regular interactions with more informed peers such as older siblings and friends.

Student initiative and agency to pursue interests, freedom for reflective time and imagination, and learning within warm personal relationships are also recognised benefits to homeschooling.

6. Can homeschoolers get into university?

It is common for parents to wonder if their child will be held back by homeschooling. This is definitely not the case. Homeschoolers are eagerly accepted into University due to their fantastic work ethic, and self-driven study experience. 

International research suggests homeschooled students’ achievements are as good, if not better, than those of their schooled peers, particularly for structured approaches. A review of several US studies showed none had “reported higher standardised test scores for traditional education samples over homeschooled samples”.

The review also found the majority (78%) of higher education admission officers “expect homeschool graduates to perform, overall, as well or better in their first year of college than traditional high school graduates”.

What little research has been done in Australia mirrors international findings. Academic outcomes of homeschooled children are equal to, or better than, those of traditionally schooled students.

A study conducted in Victoria in 2016 found homeschooled students scored higher in all NAPLAN areas than their traditionally schooled peers.

The Home Education Network (HEN) – conducted a survey that included more than 500 former students. On average, the participants had received nine years of homeschooling.

One interesting finding was that homeschooled students earned consistently more degrees (bachelors and above) than the general population.

In the past, homeschooling students had to choose from one of the following entry options. 

1. TAFE to university
2. Open University
3. STAT (Standard Tertiary Admissions Test)

This is no longer the case. Euka has worked with the University of Wollongong to ensure the Grade 11 and 12 University Pathway program is accepted as entry into the University. This partnership allows Euka students to move in after Grade 11 or after completing Grade 12 using alternative entry. With government funded positions held for our students, it is clear that the education they are receiving is consistent with that being offered at schools all over Australia.

Learn more here: https://euka.edu.au/why-future-learning/university-pathway/

7. Do I need any qualifications to homeschool?

You don’t need a degree, to ‘prove’ that you are able to educate your children. As discussed earlier, by the time your child gets to school age, you have managed to teach them some of the most valuable life lessons.  

The only thing you need is a strong commitment to providing a great education for your child. Most importantly, you don’t need to know everything to homeschool your child. Using a program like Euka allows you the peace of mind that teachers have done all the lesson planning already. You can then enjoy the support role without stress. 

One of the joys of homeschooling is that it becomes less “teacher and learner”, and more like committed co-learners. If you don’t know something, you can work together to learn how and where to find the information, a highly valuable skill for both you and your children.

8. How long does it take to homeschool?

As far as the amount of time taken per day, we recognise that children in mainstream school don’t work from 9 -3. If you take out recess, lunch, library, discipline, rehearsals for school plays, assembly etc, only a part of the day is actually spent on teaching. With this in mind, we ensure that our program leaves plenty of room each day to pursue activities that they have a desire or talent for. It is common for Euka students to have their lessons completed in approximately 2 -3 hours a day.  A common problem today is young adults completing school and not having a clear idea of what they like, or have a talent for. The Euka program deliberately leaves plenty of time for children to develop their gifts and talents and to explore areas of interest they have been learning about. Our program is designed to be a part of family time, not separate from it. 

Read more about the curriculum for your children’s Grades https://euka.edu.au/our-curriculum/

Here’s how homeschoolers save time –

• No time spent moving between classes or changing focus at inconvenient times.
• Many tasks are redundant with one-on-one learning – there’s no need to do 30 maths problems if they’ve mastered it with 8.
• We can focus because we have fewer distractions – even a large family, it’s still easier than managing 28 individuals.
• We can ensure topics are learned thoroughly the first time, eliminating the need to constantly review.
• Interest-based learning is astonishingly effective and efficient. If your child has a true interest in a topic they’ll become an expert in it with very little effort and time from you.

Wrapping Up:

Euka provides a New Way to educate. The careful balance between engaging technology and real-world hands-on activities improves analytical skills through trial-and-error experimentation. Unlike auditory and visual learning methods, which simply present information, Euka’s educational learning methods encourage people to discover information themselves.

Euka encourages logical risk-taking as children explore concepts and practice with new tools on their own. Taking risks promotes innovation, growth, and improved autonomy and self-confidence.

The Euka program is self-paced, allowing learners to discover and practice new concepts for as long as they need to understand fully. This process promotes individual growth and confidence by encouraging learners to compare their progress over time rather than compared to anyone else’s.

Whether you are new to homeschooling, or looking for a new way, Euka is here to support you by making the process from registration through to your daily lessons, an enjoyable smooth process. Want to talk with an experienced team member?  Click here to speak with a Future Learning Specialist: https://euka.edu.au/contact-us/