IS SOLIDARITY SCHOOL A GOOD FIT FOR MY GIFTED CHILD/ CHILD WITH SPECIAL NEEDS?
Whether EBSS is a good fit for any family depends a lot on your particular circumstances, needs, and goals. In our experience, our programs work best for families and caregivers who are comfortable with learning that flows around the interests of the children. Children who are eager to take initiative in planning and directing their own learning thrive in our community.
WHAT AGES DO YOU SERVE?
We aim to serve kids ages 3-12. Our learners are split between two pods: Seeds (~ages 3-5) & Saplings (~ages 6+).
WILL MY CHILD BE THE YOUNGEST/OLDEST/ONLY CHILD OF THEIR AGE?
Maybe. We understand the concern, especially since we've all grown accustomed to schooling that takes place alongside same age peers. However, we believe that mixed-age learning environments offer huge benefits and opportunities for social, emotional, and academic growth. Yes, even if your child happens to be the youngest, oldest, or only one of their age! Here is a wonderful article about the value of mixed-age play, by author Peter Gray.
THAT'S ALL VERY CUTE, BUT CONSENSUS PROCESS DOESN'T ACTUALLY WORK WITH KIDS, RIGHT?
We didn't expect consensus process with the kids to be easy; we wondered if we bit off more than we could chew, aiming for two meetings a day. Looking back now on the past year, we are pleased to note that, in fact... it's been super easy! Breezy, even! We invite you to try it too!
Children are naturally driven to express their needs, hear other people's needs, and find creative ways to balance them with each other. Consensus process centers these pro-social impulses in children, and ensures that they blossom. "Traditional" authoritarian schooling and parenting (which is a relatively modern concept) does not support this drive; in fact, it often impedes emotional awareness (of self and others) and entrenches bad interpersonal habits.
There are many benefits to consensus process:
HOW DOES EBSS SUPPORT OUR FAMILY'S HOMESCHOOLING JOURNEY?
Homeschooling comes with its own set of challenges. Without the structure of conventional schooling, families have the freedom to piece together unique educational plans from a patchwork of programs and self-innovation. EBSS is just one piece of that puzzle. We are always looking for ways to motivate deep exploration in a child-centered way through games, puzzles, storytelling, hands on projects, etc. We don't seek to teach to specific academic benchmarks, so much as we seek to make things like math and reading meaningful to our students.
Another big challenge for homeschooling families is building community. Our participatory structure gives parents the chance to collaborate with like-minded folks in powerful ways. You can participate in our collective process as much or as little as you like -- there are lots of ways to plug in!
Whether EBSS is a good fit for any family depends a lot on your particular circumstances, needs, and goals. In our experience, our programs work best for families and caregivers who are comfortable with learning that flows around the interests of the children. Children who are eager to take initiative in planning and directing their own learning thrive in our community.
WHAT AGES DO YOU SERVE?
We aim to serve kids ages 3-12. Our learners are split between two pods: Seeds (~ages 3-5) & Saplings (~ages 6+).
WILL MY CHILD BE THE YOUNGEST/OLDEST/ONLY CHILD OF THEIR AGE?
Maybe. We understand the concern, especially since we've all grown accustomed to schooling that takes place alongside same age peers. However, we believe that mixed-age learning environments offer huge benefits and opportunities for social, emotional, and academic growth. Yes, even if your child happens to be the youngest, oldest, or only one of their age! Here is a wonderful article about the value of mixed-age play, by author Peter Gray.
THAT'S ALL VERY CUTE, BUT CONSENSUS PROCESS DOESN'T ACTUALLY WORK WITH KIDS, RIGHT?
We didn't expect consensus process with the kids to be easy; we wondered if we bit off more than we could chew, aiming for two meetings a day. Looking back now on the past year, we are pleased to note that, in fact... it's been super easy! Breezy, even! We invite you to try it too!
Children are naturally driven to express their needs, hear other people's needs, and find creative ways to balance them with each other. Consensus process centers these pro-social impulses in children, and ensures that they blossom. "Traditional" authoritarian schooling and parenting (which is a relatively modern concept) does not support this drive; in fact, it often impedes emotional awareness (of self and others) and entrenches bad interpersonal habits.
There are many benefits to consensus process:
- When kids have the opportunity to express their emotional and developmental needs, we have a much better chance at meeting them. We can give them learning opportunities that are relevant to their interests and rooted in their lived reality.
- On the interpersonal level, kids learn that their needs are not in opposition to the needs of others. Consensus is in everyone's best interest.
- In a consensus based program, kids constantly practice putting feelings into words. This trains their minds to be agile and emotionally perceptive.
- ... and the list goes on..!
HOW DOES EBSS SUPPORT OUR FAMILY'S HOMESCHOOLING JOURNEY?
Homeschooling comes with its own set of challenges. Without the structure of conventional schooling, families have the freedom to piece together unique educational plans from a patchwork of programs and self-innovation. EBSS is just one piece of that puzzle. We are always looking for ways to motivate deep exploration in a child-centered way through games, puzzles, storytelling, hands on projects, etc. We don't seek to teach to specific academic benchmarks, so much as we seek to make things like math and reading meaningful to our students.
Another big challenge for homeschooling families is building community. Our participatory structure gives parents the chance to collaborate with like-minded folks in powerful ways. You can participate in our collective process as much or as little as you like -- there are lots of ways to plug in!