Saturday, February 4, 2012

How your children will learn after the collapse

Imagine for a moment there was no electricity, no fuel oil, or the trucking industry came to a screeching halt for some known or unknown reason. A zombie attack if you will. Zombies aside, are you prepared? In my hometown here in Vermont when a winter blizzard hits, the public schools shut down. The local children celebrate and everyone gets a day off. Off from what? Homeschoolers, however, continue about their business of learning that goes on 365 days a year. Even when the public schools do shut down homeschoolers don't miss a beat because to them it's all part of the learning process and education never takes a holiday.

Now, imagine something far more sinister happening that would cause your entire state, region or this country to shut down indefinitely. Would you be able to continue on with the education of your children? What if the economy did collapse as it's being predicted? What if a major natural disaster occurred and all communication and transportation ended? Do you have enough gumption and educational materials in your home to satisfy a young child's curiosity and creativity? Could you provide an environment for learning on a long term basis? Could you homeschool if you suddenly found you needed to?

Back in late August of 2011 we here in Vermont experienced flooding of biblical proportions from Hurricane Irene. Whole towns could only be accessed either by foot, ATVs, air drop or horseback after the flood waters receded. What if something of this magnitude occurred smack-dab in the middle of the public school year and continued for days, weeks or months? Could you provide your child a truly educational experience while waiting for the world as you know it to return?

Our country sits on one of the largest active volcanoes in the world. Several major fault lines are located under very densely populated areas. Weather patterns as of late have been extreme. Insane political leaders and debauched rulers around the world keep tinkering with our lives and the global economy. What if the world as you know it did come to an end tonight while you slept soundly in your cozy digs? Imagine you wake up late the next morning because your electric alarm clock isn't running. The school bus never shows because there is no more fuel, or you can't drive your children to school because there are no more roads. You can't go to work yourself because there are no more jobs! Bleak? Doom and gloom? Maybe, but just think for a moment: what if?

Now, I know this seems extreme and you're thinking this blogger has finally sailed over the edge but what is it you do all summer and on weekends when public schools are not in session? My guess is you're homeschooling. You're homeschooling and you don't even know it. If you're not homeschooling during those times then your public school dependent child is that much further behind his or her homeschooled counterparts.

Wouldn't you rather your child have an edge and the opportunity to keep on learning when that collapse switch is flipped? Start preparing today for a home-based learning environment that can sustain you and your child should the public schools close their doors for a period of time or forever. It could happen. Our country is being gutted financially, physically, morally and spiritually.  Jobs have left this country and are leaving at a rapid pace.  Homes are being abandoned and foreclosed upon. Resources are drying up. The dollar is collapsing and what is left doesn't buy much anymore. Our two-party political system is controlled by a one-party of bankers. People are getting down right moody and are reaching their boiling point. Homeschooling is already necessary in some areas for safety's sake.

Pundits are making their predictions for the future. If you care to learn mine read on. If not, stop reading and go back to your sand box. My prediction is that after the initial collapse of our economy many families will turn to homeschooling out of concern for their child's safety and education, and as a natural part of being self-sufficient. Somewhere down the road when communities have had to band tighter together for survival what will emerge will be the equivalent of the one-room schoolhouse where children of all ages will come together to learn in a more home-like environment. These tiny learning centers will be within walking distance and will only provide resources and some direction. The remainder of the child's education will be done in the homeschool without federal or state involvement to muck up the process of this form of open source learning. Local communities and families will be abundant in resources, have willing mentors ready to teach and unfathomable freedom. Are you prepared?



1 comment:

Unknown said...

I certainly don't consider you over the edge at all. I think your post will be viewed as writing on the wall in the not too distant future.

We are semi-eclectic unschoolers, funky name I know. We live on a farm and unschooling works great for us. I see it's benefits now and most certainly in the future.

Thanks for sharing your insight!


Joyfully,
Jackie--A Homeschooling Mom who enjoys blogging and living on a farm.