We home schooled our son for 3 yrs whilst cruising. He was ten when we left and even at that age he was easy to teach, we managed to find standard curriculum
books on
English and Maths at good book stores which he managed to do without any problems. Obviously me and my partner shared the load with our own input. He also did art and craft, nature and geography,
history and
music. These subjects we created by us, nature geography and history apart from the general stuff was put together from the places we visited. Usually these places have great resources through tourist info museums and places of interest. Art was basic as well as craft but also local cultural styles were included. As with music he played recorder, hand drum and tried his limited skills on a 3/4 size guitar, this was done through beginner hand
books and CD' s. all in all he was very well prepared when going back to
school in year 8. He was right up to speed withit all and things he was a bit scratchy he picked up quickly. His people skills we excellent and was not daunted by adults, he thought some of the
kids were pretty silly and save himself from that very daunting adolescent peer pressure stuff, he was used of treating people on equal terms and was used of having girls and boys as pure friends without all the sexual connotations put forth by institutional peers. There many things they learn on a
boat to help them in life and education such as responsibility, working as part of a team, patience, how things
work and what makes
work such as pulleys ,
sails, outboards, rowing, dinghies,
cooking, and small everyday tasks as well as
navigation and mechanical skills. All these things make a well rounded human being. They get their schooling done quickly and with ease because there is no distractions from class disruptions. And they can have days off here and there or when you are on
passage, but I promise it will work out fine. Keep a portfolio with all there work in it for when you get make sure they carry a journey for notes when they are ashore and a small dry bag for things they collect ie brochures trinkets etc. and lots of photos or if there old enough a small digital
camera. You will be amazed at what they learn, just be patient and share the load. Ps hide
computers and tv or limit it get them reading lots of fun books it great for their literacy and language skills and above all have fun, you will be rewarded tens times over for many years.