“Children learn best intrinsically motivated, following their own interests and when adults step back.”

One year ago, we hit publish on the first episode of the Australian Homeschool Stories podcast with Vicci Oliver’s story. I was a very nervous first-time interviewer and Vicci was the most gracious, kind and supportive first guest I could have hoped for! Today, to celebrate one whole year of sharing homeschooling stories from across our beautiful country, you are going to hear Nicki Farrell’s story. Nicki is an ex-teacher turned wildschooling, unschooling mum of two boys (aged 11 & 9), the co-founder of Wildlings Forest School and co-host of the Raising Wildlings Podcast. 

SUMMARY:

• Nicki grew up as a free range kid in country South Australia, spending all her free time roaming outdoors and climbing trees.
• Her tiny country school consisted of just 60 children. The teachers there knew their students on such individual levels and could cater for their differing needs.
• Nicki found her schooling experience as a teacher vastly different from what she had encountered as a child, and that was a big reason to not send her own children to school in the end.
• As soon as she had her own children she immediately thought: "For years I’ve been doing things to children I wouldn’t want done to my own."
• Nikki & Vicki met at a playgroup and instantly connected. Before creating Wildlings, they started out as a structured learning co-op. However after observing the kids in free play at the nearby creek afterwards they realised what they had been trying to ‘teach’ them, they were naturally just learning through play.
• Nicki shares what a typical week looks like for their family, with her husband working 4-5 days, Nicki working in her business 2-3 days, co-ops, forest school and slow days at home.
• 20-30 years ago, homeschooling was really unusual. But here and now, it's it is absolutely booming on the Sunshine Coast which she is certain has one of the highest rates of homeschoolers in the country.
• "AI has imploded education already. Absolutely, it is going to turn it on its head to the point that I'm wondering, why are we sending children to school?”
• If Nikki were principal for a day she would scrap traditional schooling, full stop. But she still loves the idea of families and children meeting, forming social friendships and exploring the world and learning together. Can we keep it that simple?
• Each child is different, so what works for one child might not work for the other and that's okay. That's the beauty of home education, you really can cater in a way that schools absolutely cannot.
• Comparison is the thief of joy - do what's best for your family, not what everybody else is doing.

CONNECT:

Website - wildlingsforestschool.com 

Instagram - @wildlings_forestschool and @raising_wildlings_podcast

NOTE: This is an abridged version of the show notes.
Follow the link below to find quotes, links and references to all resources, books and inspiration Nicky shares in this episode:

FULL SHOW NOTES HERE

Connect with us:
Instagram - @australianhomeschoolstories
Substack - Australian Homeschool Stories

This podcast is recorded on the lands of the Bunurong people of the Kulin nation. I pay my respects to elders past, present and emerging and acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded. This always was, always will be aboriginal land.