Where did we go?

Those of you who wait for our new episodes to pop up in their podcast listening platforms may have noticed that no episode appeared this Sunday. Did we forget? Have we stopped recording? Emily reveals all in this mini episode. SubstackAppleSpotify

We don't always think of play as offering opportunities to learn in the traditional sense but what if it was actually the most powerful tool we had at our disposal, not only creating learning opportunities but making learning simple, fun and easy? This week's guest, Ruth from Play Nest Learning, shares how play based activities can be fun learning tools to build reading, writing and maths skills in the early years.Ruth Parkinson-KingI'm a qualified teacher with experience in early years and KS1 classrooms who left the profession when my son was born and made the decision that we will home educate. With a 3.5 year old at home, I'm living the play-based approach every single day.Ruth's WebsiteThis podcast is a labour of love, and time and energy and commitment and lots of coffee! It really helps us if you can follow us on our social media channels and comment to let us know if you enjoyed the episode, what you'd like to see more / less of and generally come and say hi!Instagram - TikTok - FB page - Our Private FB group - youTube

Has your teenager just come out of the school system? Starting home education with a teenager is a whole new challenge and in today's episode we interview Dr Naomi Fisher for her top tips for how to navigate those early days, what to expect, what to avoid and what to focus on. And if you'd like to have a look at Naomi's new book, you can find it here on Amazon: FIND HERE (We're not affiliated in any way - just think it's a cool book!)This podcast is a labour of love, and time and energy and commitment and lots of coffee! It really helps us if you can follow us on our social media channels and comment to let us know if you enjoyed the episode, what you'd like to see more / less of and generally come and say hi!Instagram - TikTok - FB page - Our Private FB group - youTube

Charlotte and I continue our series on parenting styles by looking at practical ways to incorporate connected parenting / authoritative parenting into different challenging situations at home.With practical advice ranging from meal times and getting ready to leave the house to verbal and physical aggression, our resident child psychologist is here with real life tips to help you handle tricky times and stay connected with your child.This podcast is a labour of love, and time and energy and commitment and lots of coffee! It really helps us if you can follow us on our social media channels and comment to let us know if you enjoyed the episode, what you'd like to see more / less of and generally come and say hi!Instagram - TikTok - FB page - Our Private FB group - youTube

Join the wonderful Caroline and I as we engage in a fun debate looking at both sides of the AI argument. We discuss the benefits and perils of incorporating AI into your world, as well as the advantages to home educators and whether we should be AI proofing our children's futures.And if you'd like to see our 'didn't use AI to make it' tutor directory, you can find it here: https://www.homeeducationtutors.com/With Caroline Mukisa- Cambridge & Imperial Graduate | Maths Educator | Good Schools Guide Consultant | Home Educator An Imperial College and University of Cambridge graduate with 25+ years of maths education experience. Combines a respect for academic rigour with a personal passion for education. Expertise spanning a wide range of education systems, including UK and international schools, university admissions, as well as home education. - Caroline 's Website- @uk_stem_uni on InstagramThis podcast is a labour of love, and time and energy and commitment and lots of coffee! It really helps us if you can follow us on our social media channels and comment to let us know if you enjoyed the episode, what you'd like to see more / less of and generally come and say hi!Instagram - TikTok - FB page - Our Private FB group - youTube

This week's episode is an edition of our live podcast we put out on youTube and on our FB page. This little brother of our main podcast is fuelled by fun, naughtiness and laughter (just like all the best little brothers!) and in this episode we're discussing whether home education is a lifestyle choice. We all give our answer in the first two minutes so let us know your yes / no down below!This podcast is a labour of love, and time and energy and commitment and lots of coffee! It really helps us if you can follow us on our social media channels and comment to let us know if you enjoyed the episode, what you'd like to see more / less of and generally come and say hi!Instagram - TikTok - FB page - Our Private FB group - youTube

There are some subjects that can feel a bit out of reach for home educators, often those that involve coursework (NEA). So today we talk to Rose and Paul from Spark Creative who specialise in liaising with exam centres to help home educated children sit some of those hard to reach subjects.We talk through the different specifications for each exam, what to expect from the coursework element and the many benefits of sitting these exams as a home educated student.With Paul Buckby- Paul (me/tutor) and Rose (admin) run Spark Creative Education, offering tutoring in music, film, media and wider performing arts. We have been home educating our 4 children for over 10 years. As home educators, we understand that learning does not have to take place inside a traditional classroom and that one size does not necessarily fit all when it comes to education. I have 25 years experience in the education, music and media industries. I am dedicated to fostering a culture of inclusivity and acceptance, where students feel valued for who they are and what they do. I aim to equip young people with the tools to navigate challenges, develop empathy, and cultivate a sense of curiosity and purpose in everyday life. Outside of tutoring, I enjoy spending time with my family, walks with my dog Miso, board gaming and experiencing new places. - Paul's Website- Paul's Facebook pageThis podcast is a labour of love, and time and energy and commitment and lots of coffee! It really helps us if you can follow us on our social media channels and comment to let us know if you enjoyed the episode, what you'd like to see more / less of and generally come and say hi!Instagram - TikTok - FB page - Our Private FB group

The first in a series of chats with Charlotte where she talks to people with interesting perspectives on school, home education, parenting and more.Expect free flowing chats and real talk, as Charlotte and her guests set the world to rights!This podcast is a labour of love, and time and energy and commitment and lots of coffee! It really helps us if you can follow us on our social media channels and comment to let us know if you enjoyed the episode, what you'd like to see more / less of and generally come and say hi!Instagram - TikTok - FB page - Our Private FB group

How do home-educated children build a successful career in the creative arts?In this week's episode, we're chatting with Helen Kenworthy about the many exciting pathways into creative industries and how families can support young people who dream of turning their creativity into a career. We explore practical ways to get started, build a standout portfolio, gain real-world experience, and develop the skills and confidence needed to thrive.Helen Kenworthy is a coach, mentor, author, actor and specialist SEND tutor with nearly 30 years experience across the creative industries, business and educationhttps://helenkenworthy.com/https://www.facebook.com/OfCourseYouCanCoachThis podcast is a labour of love, and time and energy and commitment and lots of coffee! It really helps us if you can follow us on our social media channels and comment to let us know if you enjoyed the episode, what you'd like to see more / less of and generally come and say hi!Instagram - TikTok - FB page - Our Private FB group

Join us as we discuss the temptations and pitfalls of focusing on quantified learning with our home educated children. From AQA Unit Awards right up to A levels and beyond, we are a world that honours quantifiable achievement in academics. But is there more to learning than that and are we, as home educators, uniquely positioned to be at the vanguard of a new approach to education that prioritises experience, understanding and passionate curiosity?This podcast is a labour of love, and time and energy and commitment and lots of coffee! It really helps us if you can follow us on our social media channels and comment to let us know if you enjoyed the episode, what you'd like to see more / less of and generally come and say hi!Instagram - TikTok - FB page - Our Private FB group