The prevalence of home education is increasing in most developed countries. Studies in the US indicate that home educated children are at least two years ahead of their peers in school. There has not previously been any systematic research into the methods parents use to educate their children at home, the subject of my research. My first interest was in individualised teaching, not possible to study in the classroom, but I soon became fascinated by informal learning and social development. In consequence, parents find themselves pioneering new approaches to teaching and learning, some of which could not even be attempted in the classroom.
Timetables soon go.
Learning becomes more intensive and flexible. Shared learning is common. Most of all, learning is an interactive process. Because parents are able to deal with any learning problems on the spot their children rarely experience any sense of failure. For some parents this is as far as they go.