Whether it's taking six months, a year or indefinitely traveling the world I can't help but think how much it can shape your children positively. I find holidays in general and visiting other countries and cultures installs so much into them that you just can't recreate in a classroom, for example;
- Makes them interested in geography, gives them a better understanding of their environment and the knowledge it's a big world out there. They become interested in learning the capitals of different countries and being able to look at and use maps. It's a great life skill to develop at a young age.
- Open's them up to different languages, my own daughter is busy picking up new phrases in French for our summer holiday.
- Teaches them diversity, that we are all the same. Children seem to have the ability to make friends wherever they go, despite language barriers, race, background. It's such a beautiful thing to witness.
Homeschooling and travel offer a lot of families freedom, they can create their own curriculum depending on location, events and schedule. As a teacher myself, this would be pure gold and can't even begin to imagine what a positive impact it would have on the learner.
So practically how can this be done if you're traveling light?
Despite havingy own classroom full of "stuff", you wouldn't actually need much in the way of equipment if you're educating whilst traveling. I would imagine a laptop/tablet with internet would be vital but your travel locations should be your classrooms. Imagine being able to teach photography and composition whilst on safari or about animal adaptations whilst in a desert? I hate the thought of wasting lots of paper that you inevitably can't take with you, so perhaps getting a mini teaching whiteboard could be ideal.
Of course if you're in one location for a longer period of time enrolling in an international school for a term or hiring a tutor. A tutor seems to be popular amongst travellers because of the flexibility, you could be having home tuition in Singapore in the morning then out exploring after lunch.
Your Childs education really does not have to suffer if you decide to live this way of life. It may take some organising and patience but the impact it can have is incredible.
Is this something you would do if you could?
K Elizabeth xoxox
*Collaborative Post