If you’ve registered with the Local Authority, they may request evidence of your child’s progress through meetings or email updates. Even if you haven’t registered, capturing your child’s learning can be beneficial for your records or for sharing their growth as they get older.

Why Use the Collage App?

The Collage app was created to help home educators securely capture their child’s progress through pictures, videos, documents, and notes. It allows you to track their learning chronologically, according to the UK National Curriculum, or simply by subject areas, especially useful for unschooling approaches.

Alternative Methods for Capturing Learning

You can also use computer files, physical boxes, or folders to store examples of your child’s work. Choose a method that suits your preferences and keeps your records organised.

What Counts as Suitable Learning?

In essence, any activity that demonstrates learning is suitable. Learning occurs all day, every day, in various environments—not just during scheduled educational times or at home.

While traditional education often emphasises core subjects like maths, science, and literacy, it’s crucial to recognise other valuable skills. These include daily living skills, understanding the world, and managing oneself, both financially and emotionally.

Leveraging Technology for Learning Capture

Technology allows for instant documentation of learning moments. Using your phone to capture and store these instances in chronological folders can provide valuable insights into your child’s progress. The Collage app includes a “Miscellaneous” folder for unique learning moments that don’t fit into standard subjects, such as showing resilience.

Creating Learning Opportunities

To facilitate your child’s learning effectively, consider their individual learning style. Understand their strengths, weaknesses, and interests, as well as their attention span. Unlike traditional schooling, home education can be tailored to each child’s needs, making learning more engaging and effective.

Real-World Learning Contexts

Children often learn best when they see the practical application of their knowledge. For instance, turning a bus journey into a math problem or writing a shopping list can make learning more relevant and enjoyable. Real-world contexts make lessons more meaningful and memorable.

Flexibility with the National Curriculum

While you can follow the National Curriculum, don’t be rigid. If your child is passionate about a subject, such as space, don’t wait until they reach the designated age in the curriculum to explore it. Learning should be flexible and responsive to your child’s interests and needs.

Embracing Spontaneous Learning

Be prepared to seize learning opportunities as they arise. For example, a walk could lead to discovering a rare bug, which can be used to explore topics in reading, writing, geography, and science. Spontaneous, unplanned activities often lead to the most engaging and effective learning experiences.

Get Started with Capturing Learning

Give yourself a set period to observe and capture your child’s learning. This can help you understand their natural learning patterns and inform your homeschooling approach. You might be surprised by what you discover!