The Homeschool Lounge: Recent Episodes
The Homeschool Lounge.
If you have a question re. home education in South Africa, then this is the place to come to. From the HOW to the WHY and the WHERE our informative talks will provide answers and advice. We all need a helping hand sometime or maybe just some inspiration. Here, experienced home educators come alongside you and guide you on your journey.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in the following interviews are not necessarily those of the Homeschool Lounge or CHE. They are shared in the interests of promoting a variety of ideas and debate to assist people in making their own informed choices. For any legal advice please contact your legal representative.
Technical and artistic support provided by JustNat Bros. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5lfGxgZblnb0eB93l4VNgQ
Pieter de Bruyn is Anelle Burger's guest. Pieter and Willie Maritz are the founders of Wing.Studio, an online platform where young people can post their skills and, in the process, build a credible portfolio.
Home educators can use this platform to gather and store proof of learning. The loading of the information can even be a learning experience of its own.
Dr Melodie de Jager is a well known and much loved author of books on baby and child development. Her book BabyGym was one of my go-to books whenever I had doubts or concerns.
Marinda Erwee spoke to her about reading readiness. They talk about what needs to happen before a child learns to read and write and how parents can best help their young children.
For more information visit www.mindmoves.co.za
My guests are Shirley Erwee and Marita Green. We discuss the research results shared in the "Are Homeschoolers Prepared for Life?" presentation that was part of the Post Pandemic Future of Homeschooling Conference hosted by Harvard Kennedy School. Link for the original HKS Conference presentation
I invited 3 experienced home education moms to talk about the importance of reading. In this lively discussion we talk about why we read, the benefits of reading and whether a child who struggles to read can experience the same benefits.
Marinda Erwee is a trained educator who ran her own early childhood development centre. She was also part of the Babygym Institute.
Chantal Malan has a post graduate degree in counselling psychology. She was head of the Career Centre at the University of Stellenbosch Business School until 2005, when she decided to exchange the counselling of students for the life of motherhood.
Karen Badenhorst is a homeschool mom for the past 16 years. She has 3 children which are now happy grounded young adults. She is a remedial therapist and is part of the Dynamis Institute as one of the rooted families.
My guest is Joanne Madgwick. She is a home education mom with almost 2 decades' worth of hands-on experience. She used the Charlotte Mason approach in educating her children and in this interview she tells us more about how she went about it.
What is the difference between CAPS and the International Curriculum and why do many families choose this option? Prof. Atia Adam answers this question and more.
Home educated children can excel at sport and compete provincially, nationally, and internationally. Annerine Wenhold is a 5 times world track cycling champion and athletics and cycling coach. She tells about the process to follow, gives coaching tips and shares from her own experience how to apply for a USA sport scholarship.
My guest is Sandi Brunel. She and her siblings were home educated, and she now home educates her own children. She talks about the benefit of stepping out of your comfort zone and reaping the rewards of a tailor-made education.
Diane Desmarais is juggling work and home education. She is a freelance nutritionist and runs a small business selling massage cups and oils. Her husband is also self-employed and they both work from home. She shares with us how she manages to do it all.
Dr Renuka Ramroop has been home educating her two children for the last 18 years following the Natural Learning Approach. She completed a doctorate in Natural Learning, making it the first in-depth study of the Natural Learning approach in South Africa. Renuka is a research associate at the University of Limpopo, South Africa and she serves on a forum that engages the South African Department of Education on home education matters.
She shares with us her insights and knowledge on the Natural Learning Approach.
My gas is Erika Nothnagel. Sy is medeskrywer van die taalkunsreeks Toetentaal. Sy is ook ‘n tuisonderrig ma van 2 kinders met 5 jaar ervaring. Ons gesels vandag oor taalkuns.
My gas is Lizelle Rademeyer. Sy het ‘n voorliefde vir wiskunde en het meteorologie (weerkunde) en klimatologie studeer wat op toegepaste wiskunde en statistiek gebaseer is. Sy tuisonderrig haar 3 kinders en het baie praktiese ervaring oor hoe om wiskunde pret te maak.
Ronél Smit (home education mom of 5) is a consultant to parents of gifted children. Originally an Occupational Therapist, she ventured into the complex and fascinating world of the uniqueness of gifted children and families as her own children grew up.
In this interview she shares information to help us better understand how to let gifted children flourish.
My guest is Uda de Wet (born van Oostrum). She started teaching music when she was fifteen years old, and ballet not long after that. As young adult she completed a diploma in ballet teaching through Dance Academy of South Africa, as well as grade 8 viola through the Royal Schools of Music. She shares with us her experience as a home educated learner.
Je'anna Clements (Self Directed Learning advocate and facilitator) wrote a booklet titled, What if School Creates Dyslexia? In conversation with Anelle Burger, she shares her insights into dyslexia and discuss the reasons why dyslexia is near non-existent in the SDL context.
Cornelia Marais is one of the oldest home education alumni in the country. She was home educated for her entire school career, obtained a national senior certificate and studied BMus at the University of Pretoria.
Anelle Burger chats with her about her experience as a home educated learner.
My guest is Stephané Burger. We discuss home educating two or more children, following the American High School Diploma Path, and other topics that came to mind.
Annerine Wenhold is my guest. She is an American High School Diploma consultant and home education mom of three teenagers. In this interview she gives us a good introduction to the American High School Diploma as a path to a school leaving certificate.
Annerine can be contacted on 078 459 1656 and by email: Kairos.academySA@gmail.com
The Cambridge International Exam is an option many home educated learners follow towards a school leaving certificate. Two of Wendy Young's children completed this exam. She joins me in the lounge to give us a bit more information about the Cambridge International Exam.
One of the matric qualifications a home educated learner can obtain is the GED. My guests are Chirani Meyer and her children. They will give us more information about the GED and also share their personal experience.
For more information visit: https://ged.com https://ged.com/educators_admins/teaching/classroom_materials/study_guides/ South African GED online tutorial course: http://onlineged.co.za/
Megan Marais, who matriculated in 2004 is one of South Africa's oldest home education graduates. She holds a BSc in Human Bioscience and a Masters degree in Curriculum Design. She chats with Anelle Burger about her experience as a home educated learner.
Lockdown in response to the Covid-19 pandemic caused a time of upheaval and uncertainty. The closure of schools and the shutdown of extra-mural activities brought a new set of challenges.
My guest is Chirani Meyer and we talk about the challenges parents face. She gives advice and much needed hope for parents who are concerned about their children's academic progress.
To join support groups on Facebook search for Lockdown Schooling@Home SA and Educating@Home SA.
We also suggest you join the provincial home education associations. Those in the Western and Northern Cape can join Cape Home Educators. Pestalozzi trust
Children who struggle to read not only find it difficult to learn (especially where the subject is content heavy), but they often have low self-esteem and struggle to concentrate.
The good news is, reading difficulties can be addressed and help is available.
Brand van Dyk (Smartbrain Child Development Institute) gives us advice.
For more information visit: www.smartbrainsa.co.za or contact them on: 021 910 2615 and e-mail: smartbrainho@gmail.com Smartbrain Child Development Institute
Is it healthy for an only child to be home educated and how do you ensure that he's not lonely or deprived of contact with other children?
Shirley Erwee (co-author of Footprints on our Land) and Anelle Burger (spokesperson, CHE) chat about the differences between large and small families and the benefits and challenges of homeschooling an only child.
Marike van Zyl is a home education alumnus and studies applied mathematics at the University of Pretoria. She was educated according to the natural learning (self-directed learning) approach.
She gives us a glimpse into her life as home educated learner.
Josua Botha is a student at the University of Pretoria. He was home educated with the natural (self-directed learning) approach.
He gives us a glimpse into his life as a home educated learner.
homeschool home education natural learning
Many parents ask for advice on how to teach their young child to read. Anelle Burger invited Hannekie Verwoerd (a speech and language therapist and creator of Luistervink Stories) to the lounge to answer this question. She shares with us how the brain prepares itself for reading and what we can do to optimally assist this development. Luistervink Stories · Luistervink YouTube
Anelle Burger (spokesperson, Cape Home Educators) is the guest of Aden Thomas. In this interview she is in the hot seat and answers his questions about home education.
Our guest in the lounge is Zimkitha Moloi. A mother who followed her heart and did what was in the best interest of her children. She shares their home education journey - the challenges and the joy.
If you've ever needed advice on home educating your preschool child, then you should listen to this interview.
Marinda Erwee and Brenda Mhlungu are experienced preschool teachers who home educate their children.
Marinda worked in both private and public schools and was part of the BabyGym institute for 13 years.
Brenda worked in preschools in some of SA's poorest communities and was the founder of a private preschool in Johannesburg.
Karin van Oostrum gives a short overview of the Pestalozzi trust's role and function and then gives a clear explanation of the law and policy that regulate home education.
Karin van Oostrum gee 'n kort oorsig oor die rol van die Pestalozzi trust en sy verduidelik die wet en beleid wat tuisonderrig reguleer.
Wendy Young is a home education mom with more than 20 years' experience. In this interview with she shares her experience with educating her neuro-diverse son and gives guidance on how to home educate a child with special needs.
Many families are concerned about their finances and about whether they can afford to give their children a quality education. Some say that home education is only for the rich. Is it possible to provide your child with a quality education for less than the cost of attending a public school? Anelle Burger talks with Adéle Breedt and Marita Green for answers to these questions.
Debbie Lemmer shares her experience home educating her 4 children for the past 16 years. It is a tale of not giving up and finding the approach that works for your family.
In this session of the Homeschool Lounge my guest is Sorietha van der Westhuizen. In this heartfelt interview she shares her and her kids' experience with bullying. It is a tale of hope.
Brain development lays the foundation for learning. Marinda Erwee shares with us how the brain develops and how we can stimulate the development of our child's brain. She gives advice on what to do when, despite us having done everything we possibly can, our child still struggles.
On 28 February 2020 the DBE will host a Round Table Discussion with the theme, “Home Education in the Best Interest of the Learner”.
Philip Doubell from the Eastern Cape Home Education Association, Marinda Erwee from the KZN Home Education Association and Peter Reynolds, a home education parent and activist will attend the meeting along with representatives of the other provincial and national home education associations. They are in conversation with Anelle Burger (Cape Home Educator's spokesperson).
Chantal Malan is joining Anelle Burger in the lounge to talk about a very effective tool that strengthens the loving parent-child relationship in helping families deal with everyday stress and anxiety. Mindfulness can help us in frustrating situations when communication often breaks down. This is a great tool to help our children to become emotionally intelligent.
Not only for homeschooling / home education families.
Chantal Malan has a post graduate degree in counselling psychology. She was head of the Career Centre at the University of Stellenbosch Business School until 2005, when she decided to exchange the counselling of students for the life of motherhood.
In this Afrikaans edition of the Homeschool Lounge Anelle Burger is in conversation with Marisa Haasbroek.
Marisa is a veteran home education mom, acclaimed author and writer of Afrikaans language study guides.
Vir meer inligting gaan loer gerus by:
www.capehomeed.co.za/tuisonderwys-in-afrikaans/ (Lizelle se lêer)
Afrikaanse Facebookgroep: https://www.facebook.com/groups/656644477732163/
Oolfant se webwerf: https://oolfant.com/ Dis 'n private groep, so mense moet net eers aansoek doen om lid te word Lizelle se lêer · Marisa Haasbroek Oolfant
Anelle Burger is in conversation with Marinda Erwee. They discuss the role of play in learning and its importance in the child's early and primary school years.
My guest is Kathy Wolson. She is the mother of three highly gifted children. She has been home educating the younger two for the past 3 years and she has been willing to share her experience with us.
To parents unfamiliar with home education the thought of educating their children at home can seem like a daunting task. Wendy Young is in the Lounge to answer some of the frequently asked questions.
Wendy is a home education veteran with 25 years’ experience having successfully educated her 4 children, the youngest of whom has recently received his school leaving certificate. She is co-author of a much-loved home education curriculum called Footprints on our Land.
www.south-african-homeschool-curriculum.com/tips-for-starting-homeschooling.html www.oolfant.com/25-dinge-tuisskool www.startinghomeschooling.co.za www.homeschooling-curriculum-guide.com/homeschooling-south-africa.html www.south-african-homeschool-curriculum.com/registering-with-department.html www.south-african-homeschool-curriculum.com/school-admissions-tests.html Leendert van Oostrum on school admission tests · Tips for starting · Wenke in Afrikaans · How to start with home education · Homeschooling in South Africa · Registering with the DBE
Anelle Burger invited Wendy Meijer to the Homeschool Lounge to share her experience home educating her 3 children for the past 20 years. Her youngest have just completed his GED. The two elder kids wrote the Cambridge exam and National Senior Certificate respectively. All three have found employment and are able to study further in their chosen fields.
There is still much confusion about the differences between home education and cottage schools, or as some refer to it, home schools. Anelle Burger invited Hayley Gibbons to the Lounge to offer us some clarity.
Hayley has home educated her two sons for 12 years and is Vice Chairperson of the Eastern Cape Home Education Association. She is passionate about home education and strives to inform and educate not only those starting out on their home education journey, but also the public at large.
Here are the contact details for homeschooling associations around South Africa:
Eastern Cape: Echsa.el@gmail.com or echsa.net
Western Cape: Capehomeed@gmail.com www.capehomeed.com
KZN: Marinda@playpals.co.za
Gauteng: Jaco.lemmer@gmail.com
For any legal advice on home education contact : defensor@pestalozzi.org
Disclaimer: The views expressed in the following interviews are not necessarily those of the Homeschool Lounge or CHE. They are shared in the interests of promoting a variety of ideas and debate to assist people in making their own informed choices. For any legal advice please contact your legal representative.
My guest is Jacqueline Morkel. She has a PhD in Metallurgical Engineering and has been home educating her sons since 2012.
Her interest in education success has resulted in her starting a second PhD focusing on how the development of GRIT in a home-school environment influences education success.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in the following interviews are not necessarily those of the Homeschool Lounge or CHE. They are shared in the interests of promoting diversity of ideas and debate to assist people in making their own informed choices. For any legal advice please contact your legal representative.
Joining Anelle Burger in the Homeschool Lounge is Martie du Plessis. Martie developed an education approach called Uncapped Education and she wishes to empower parents to successfully educate their children.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in the following interviews are not necessarily those of the Homeschool Lounge or CHE. They are shared in the interests of promoting diversity of ideas and debate to assist people in making their own informed choices. For any legal advice please contact your legal representative.
Anelle Burger's guest is Martie du Plessis and the topic of conversation is Uncapped Education. Martie started the Dynamis Institute and has helped thousands of families on their home education journey. She has developed an education approach called Uncapped Education and she wishes to empower parents to successfully educate their children.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in the following interviews are not necessarily those of the Homeschool Lounge or CHE. They are shared in the interests of promoting diversity of ideas and debate to assist people in making their own informed choices. For any legal advice please contact your legal representative.
We continue our series on the different approaches to home education. Our topic for discussion is the eclectic approach.
Joining Anelle Burger in the lounge is Chirani Meyer. As a veteran home educator and activist, she is well known in the home education community. Her twin sons have completed their GED and are enrolled at online animation schools in the USA. Her eldest daughter is 16 and completing her Matric this year through the GED. Chirani is still actively homeschooling her youngest daughter.
We continue our series on education approaches. Shirley Erwee explains what the Unit Studies approach to home education is all about. Shirley is a veteran home educator and co-author of the Footprints on our Land curriculum.
Nature study was very important to Charlotte Mason and today still it plays a big role in educating with the Charlotte Mason approach. Nature study can easily be incorporated in any approach to home education. To tell us more Luzvie Reynolds joins me (Anelle Burger) in the lounge.
Martie Mostert finished school in 2014. She works as an intern at a primary school while completing her teacher’s qualification. She is also a Western Province rugby referee.
Joining me (Anelle Burger) in the lounge is Wendy Young. Wendy is well known in the home education community. She is a home education veteran with more than 20 years' experience. Wendy is co-author of the Footprints on our Land curriculum.
Jess Semple (formerly Young) was home educated by her mother, Wendy, along with her sister and two brothers. She completed her schooling in mid-2013 and went on to work in finance for a few years before studying Cinematography for Content Creation at the Orms Cape Town School of Photography in 2018. She now works as the video content producer for the largest photographic company in South Africa.
Joining me (Anelle Burger) in the lounge is Jennifer Hanekom. She started her home education journey 7 years ago when they moved to South Africa from America. She has a passion for the Classical education approach and started a Classical Conversations group in Cape Town. The group has been running for 5 years now.
Anelle Burger (CHE) interviews homeschool graduate Lydé Heckroodt. Lydé is a South African woman's kite surfing champion and professional kite surfer.
She has recently taken on a new challenge as chef and partner in a restaurant in Minneapolis, USA.
Colin Heckroodt is the first of, I hope many homeschool alumni, who is willing to share his homeschooling experience with us. Colin, now 27, was a SA kitesurfing champion and is currently a commentator for the Red Bull King of the Air extreme kitesurfing competition held annually in Cape Town. He completed his mechatronics studies last year and is currently working at BMW in Pretoria.
As part of our series on approaches to home education Anelle Burger (Cape Home Educators) chats with Adéle Breedt. She facilitated the learning of her three sons. They have finished their schooling and all three obtained a university degree in their respective fields of interest.
As part of our series on the different approaches to home education Anelle Burger (Cape Home Educators) talks with Vivienne du Preez about the Montessori approach. Vivienne homeschools her twins and is a Montessori trained teacher.
Shirley Erwee and Chirani Meyer continue their discussion with Anelle Burger about the differences between home education and school. In this session we look at the intangible differences.
Erwee is a home education veteran, activist and co-author of the Footprints on our Land curriculum. Meyer is a veteran home education mom, activist and coordinator of a number of home education support groups. Burger is the spokesperson for Cape Home Educators.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in the following interviews are not necessarily those of the Homeschool Lounge or CHE. They are shared in the interests of promoting diversity of ideas and debate to assist people in making their own informed choices. For any legal advice please contact your legal representative.
Have you ever wondered what a homeschool day looks like? Chirani Meyer and Shirley Erwee give you a glimpse into theirs.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in the following interviews are not necessarily those of the Homeschool Lounge or CHE. They are shared in the interests of promoting diversity of ideas and debate to assist people in making their own informed choices. For any legal advice please contact your legal representative.
Anelle Burger continues her conversation with occupational therapist and homeschooling mom Carin van Niekerk about home educating a child with special needs.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in the following interviews are not necessarily those of the Homeschool Lounge or CHE. They are shared in the interests of promoting diversity of ideas and debate to assist people in making their own informed choices. For any legal advice please contact your legal representative.
Anelle Burger chats with Carin van Niekerk about home educating a child with special needs.
Carin shares her knowledge and insights gained not only from 10 years practicing as occupational therapist but also from personal experience with homeschooling her own child who had special needs.
She home educates her sons aged 12,10 and 3.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in the following interviews are not necessarily those of the Homeschool Lounge or CHE. They are shared in the interests of promoting diversity of ideas and debate to assist people in making their own informed choices. For any legal advice please contact your legal representative.
Four homeschooling dads continue their discussion of questions and concerns fathers have when starting with home education. Marwaan Abdul is the host and the dads in the hot seats are Peter Reynolds, Victor Sabbe (chairperson of Cape Home Educators) and Werner Schmidt.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in the following interviews are not necessarily those of the Homeschool Lounge or CHE. They are shared in the interests of promoting diversity of ideas and debate to assist people in making their own informed choices. For any legal advice please contact your legal representative.
Four dads discuss the concerns and questions that most dads, and especially dads considering home educating or those new to home education have. Your host is Marwaan Abdul and the panel of home educating dads are Peter Reynolds, Victor Sabbe (chairperson of Cape Home Educators) and Werner Schmidt.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in the following interviews are not necessarily those of the Homeschool Lounge or CHE. They are shared in the interests of promoting diversity of ideas and debate to assist people in making their own informed choices. For any legal advice please contact your legal representative.
One of the most frequently asked questions on home education support groups is "How do I start homeschooling my child?" For answers to this question, Anelle Burger talks with Karin van Oostrum, manager of the Pestalozzi trust.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in the following interviews are not necessarily those of the Homeschool Lounge or CHE. They are shared in the interests of promoting diversity of ideas and debate to assist people in making their own informed choices. For any legal advice please contact your legal representative.
Anelle Burger continues the discussion on entrepreneurship with Frank Muller and Shirley Erwee. We look at some practical things to consider when helping your children start their own enterprise.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in the following interviews are not necessarily those of the Homeschool Lounge or CHE. They are shared in the interests of promoting diversity of ideas and debate to assist people in making their own informed choices. For any legal advice please contact your legal representative.
Frank Muller and his wife Ami have five children (aged 3 to 14) and have been homeschooling for 7 years. Apart from Frank being a medical doctor, he earns his income from a range of entrepreneurial interests and he and his wife actively encourage their children to earn their own income, even from a young age. Frank gladly shares with us what they have learnt along the way.
Shirley Erwee is a homeschooling mother of 6, who has been home educating her own children plus two others for over 20 years, since 1997. She is also a curriculum provider, GED service provider, author, home education activist and advisor. Shirley shares her experience in the various entrepreneurial pursuits she and her family have followed.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in the following interviews are not necessarily those of the Homeschool Lounge or CHE. They are shared in the interests of promoting diversity of ideas and debate to assist people in making their own informed choices. For any legal advice please contact your legal representative.
Anelle Burger talks with occupational therapist and homeschooling mom, Carin van Niekerk about the importance of play in regard to the child’s physical and academical development. Play is so much more than just the childish part of childhood.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in the following interviews are not necessarily those of the Homeschool Lounge or CHE. They are shared in the interests of promoting diversity of ideas and debate to assist people in making their own informed choices. For any legal advice please contact your legal representative.
One of the most frequently asked questions on home education support groups is "How do I start homeschooling my child?" For answers to this question, Anelle Burger talks with Karin van Oostrum, manager of the Pestalozzi trust.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in the following interviews are not necessarily those of the Homeschool Lounge or CHE. They are shared in the interests of promoting diversity of ideas and debate to assist people in making their own informed choices. For any legal advice please contact your legal representative.