In a small, sunlit kitchen filled with the aroma of baking bread and the laughter of children,

Cindy sat down with a steaming cup of tea, her mind reflecting on a journey that had profoundly shaped her family’s life.

Cindy’s son had started his educational path in mainstream schooling, beginning with pre-prep and continuing through grade one.

With her background in both nursing and child care, Cindy had accumulated a wealth of knowledge about child development.

Her experiences had deepened her understanding of how children learn and grow, and she knew that learning through play was a cornerstone of high-quality early childhood education.

Throughout her career, Cindy had always recognized the importance of play in fostering cognitive, physical, social,

and emotional well-being in children.

Play was not just a pastime but a vital educational tool that helped children understand the world and themselves.

This belief was reinforced as her son attended the long day care center where she worked and later

participated in a C & K preschool program before starting mainstream school.

However, once her son entered a traditional classroom at six years old, it became apparent that the rigid, structured environment of mainstream schooling was challenging for him.

The play-based learning methods he had thrived on were seen as trivial in the eyes of the school system, relegated to recess or

as rewards rather than integral parts of the learning process.

Cindy saw this as a significant limitation, stifling play’s potential as an effective teaching method.

Determined to provide a more supportive learning environment, Cindy decided to withdraw her son from mainstream school

and embark on a homeschooling journey.

She firmly believed that incorporating play into early school grades was crucial for engaging children

in their own learning processes.

The transition to homeschooling wasn’t seamless.

Cindy explored various curricula but struggled to find one that catered to her son’s unique needs.

Cindy was aware other homeschool families also battled with this situation.

It was through hands-on activities, one-on-one teaching, and exploring subjects that fascinated him - such as

science experiments, cooking, building with recycled materials, and gardening - that her son thrived.

To tailor the educational experience to her son's interests and strengths, Cindy created and adopted a

theme-directed and interest-led learning framework.

This approach, highlighted nature as a living teacher, incorporated the mindfulness classroom program and aligned with

the Australian Education Curriculum.

The Thematic Education Homeschool Curriculum was designed & was structured around six key components:

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1. Starting a Journal:
At the beginning of each year, Cindy and her son would start a journal.

The first page was dedicated to setting short- and long-term goals using the SMART method,

— specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely.

Each term, they reviewed and updated these goals.

The second page was used for listing learning interests and excursion ideas.

Regular visits to the library and opportunity shops allowed her son to select books, DVDs, games,

and craft materials that sparked his curiosity.

Both the parent and child sit together to map out their goals or curiosity-driven themes for each month or term.

With this approach, each "theme" is something unique to the child, and the learning process is about curiosity and creativity

rather than a rigid structure.

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2. A Brainstorming Activity:
Cindy used a brainstorming worksheet to list topics of interest and compile questions to explore.

For instance, while cooking and gardening, her son asked practical questions about measurements -

such as the size of a circular pan needed for pizza or the dimensions of a garden bed for herbs.

This activity helped him connect everyday experiences with mathematical concepts.

The parent-child brainstorming process is key!

Starting with brainstorming between the parent and child gives a lot of ownership to the learning process

and lets the child’s interests naturally guide the direction of their education.

It encourages collaboration and fosters curiosity!

Emphasizing co-creation, exploration, and personalized learning.

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3. Lesson Plan Ideas:
Lesson plans were developed based on the brainstorming activity.

Cindy used interest investigation and goal-driven learning program guides to craft lessons that resonated with her son's interests.

This ensured that each lesson was engaging and relevant.

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4. Including Nature as a Living Teacher Program & The Mindfulness Classroom in our Weekly Learning Routine:

Integrating both "Nature as a Living Teacher Program" and "The Mindfulness Classroom"

into the weekly homeschool routine was a fantastic idea!

These two approaches not only enhanced learning but also promoted emotional and mental well-being.

Here's a strategy Cindy used to weave these into her homeschool rhythm.

First Cindy and her son set potential goals:

• Nature as a Living Teacher Program: Foster a deep connection with nature, encourage observation skills, hands-on learning, and understanding of environmental systems.

• The Mindfulness Classroom: Help student develop emotional regulation, focus, self-awareness, and a calm, grounded mindset.

​Cindy wanted to balance both programs with the academic subjects already covered.

Here's an example of a daily framework:

• Morning (Nature as a Living Teacher):

  • Go for a nature walk or a field trip to a local park, forest, or garden. Let the child choose areas they are curious about.

  • Encourage journaling (this ties in mindfulness too). They could sketch or write about what they observe — trees, animals, weather, textures, sounds.

• Afternoon (Mindfulness Classroom):

  • Practice a short mindfulness exercise such as a body scan or breathing meditation.

  • Discuss how nature made them feel (relaxed, curious, peaceful) and encourage a few minutes of silent reflection.

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5. Work Samples:
Documentation of learning was crucial. Cindy kept records through photos, videos, and written worksheets, showing the progress and activities undertaken.

Incorporating nature as a living teacher, her son engaged in activities like measuring circles with natural

objects and comparing calculations, which deepened his understanding of concepts.

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6. Parent Assessment & Student Self-Evaluation:
At the end of each term, Cindy completed a parent assessment and student self-evaluation chart.

This documentation tracked learning progress and achievements, aligned with the Australian Education Curriculum.

Regular assessments allowed them to celebrate successes, address challenges, and set new goals, fostering

a supportive and collaborative learning environment.

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Through this personalized approach, Cindy’s homeschooling journey was not just about following a curriculum she felt compelled to design but about nurturing a love for learning, grounded in play and practical experiences.

Her son's education flourished as they explored topics of genuine interest, making each day a new adventure

in learning.

As Cindy looked around her vibrant, activity-filled home, she felt a deep sense of satisfaction.

Her son was not only learning but also growing into a curious, capable individual, all thanks to a learning environment that respected and nurtured his unique needs.