Homeschooling Programs

Each Year Enki Education offers several HOMESCHOOLING PROGRAMS - both conferences and workshops. These give parents a chance to come together to study, explore, create and prepare for their homeschool teaching. Although all agree that the study preparation of the homeschool curriculum is a great help to their work at home, one of the most important aspects of our homeschooling programs is the opportunity to gather as parents and children in a community of like-minded families. Singing, dancing, creating, and playing together as families is a rare and treasured aspect of our programs – and much time is set aside for just that.

	Home away from home 2007
	Family Picnic 2007

This year's conference will include focused "active study" time in the mornings, rest and family time in the afternoons, and "tea time" with tea, wine, and hor d'oeuvres for open discussion in the last of the afternoon. Whenever parents are in discussion or class time, the children are in Enki Camp. This program is a run by our senior Enki teacher and is a delight for all (open only to children 2 1/2 and older). See parent reviews and descriptions of Enki Camp, below. For specific dates and costs for 2008 click here.

Rousing Intuition Workshop - parent perspectives

Parent in Connecticut 2007:

The Rousing Intuition workshop was an incredible experience for me -  many revelations about myself (some of those "aha!" moments). The general idea behind the concept (as best as I can explain, which is not necessarily a complete or thorough description) is to help parents and educators foster their intuition and be able to understand themselves more deeply and less judgmentally, and to bring them to a place where they can use those intuitive skills to understand and more effectively teach their children.

The many “aha’s” for me included uncovering the fact that I care very deeply about relationships (so deeply, in fact, that most of the decisions I make/have made in my life revolve around making and maintaining connections with others). I also discovered that I'm primarily a kinesthetic learner (which was a HUGE surprise to me, but certainly explains a lot), and that I have a strongly playful nature, which, while that wasn't a surprise in and of itself, did allow me to finally come to terms with who I am and gave me the permission to feel comfortable about it. Most of my life I've felt like I needed to suppress my playful, enthusiastic side (in fact, I've been told many times by others that I'm too loud, too active, too busy). I've tried repeatedly, with no success (now I know why!) to change myself into a quieter, more peaceful person.

Coming to understand more of my basic nature made me realize that this is just who I am, and, more importantly, that it's OK. I don't think I'll worry about showing who I really am or spend any more energy trying to change into something I'm not any more. Now the goal is to allow my children to experience that same sense of freedom to be who they are without judgment or trying to change them. Which happens to be what I've always wanted anyway, but now I think I'm better prepared to allow it to happen.

Family Circle 2007

All in all, this was one of the most valuable workshops I've ever been to. It was a deeply moving experience to be able to meet and talk with other families walking a similar educational path, and I came away feeling very connected to the community. That in itself will carry me into the coming "school" year with renewed commitment and zeal.

Parent in Texas 2007:

I actually hadn't been all that interested in the Rousing Intuition workshop when we signed up for the conference, but since we were coming from so far away, it didn't make sense not to do it too. But boy, am I glad I took that workshop! It turned out to be far more important and far more integral to the Enki approach (heck, to parenting or life as a human being in general; I'm not exaggerating) than I understood initially. It was eye-opening because I discovered facets of myself that I didn't realize were so strong, and I also, more importantly, realized that while it is of utmost importance (really central) to remain curious about our children and what makes them tick, we should never relax in the idea that we have them all figured out. I think I actually thought that was possible - if I just read the right books, I would have all the right answers. Nope, it doesn't work that way; and in my heart, I knew that was true, but I didn't know how else to be the best parent I could be. So, even though I may still be tempted by putting labels on my children (X personality children respond best to Y parenting), I would be misleading myself at best, and causing harm to my children at worst.

The Homeschool Conference - parent perspectives

Painting Class 2004

Parent in California 2007:

We came for the "nuts and bolts" homeschool conference - a full time program taught by Beth Sutton, founder of Enki, which covered everything from family rhythms, obstacles in homeschooling, and sensory integration, to specifics of grade levels and curriculum materials. Much of it was hands on.

While I have been pretty immersed in the Enki Kindergarten curriculum this year I haven't looked too much into the grades, since we've never been sure whether we would continue homeschooling. I went into it all almost waiting to see where Enki would fall short, or where I would start to feel at odds with things. Instead I was blown away by the depth, richness and integrated nature of how it all works together. The approach to multiculturalism is impressive, as are the truly integrated arts, music and movement, the language immersion, the developmental stories, and so on. 

While Beth wrote up a schedule, she told us right off that she never sticks to schedules and instead tries to "dance the dance" of following the energy and needs of the group. That flexibility and openness is something that I appreciate since it is central to my own homeschooling. Probably the key thing in Enki that I am still grasping is related to the old Buddhist mantra of "not too tight, not too loose"; I'm starting to get where in my days/weeks I'm holding too tightly, and where too loosely, but it's a constant dance.

I went into the week knowing that we would most likely be sending Kai to school in the fall. As the week went on I realised how much Enki has become a part of our life and that it is too good of a thing to give up on. We also see Kai a little more clearly. I'm not sure where that leaves us yet. What I do see is that this experience will stay with us for a long time and has felt transformative. The week made even clearer for us that this approach to homeschooling is not just about a methodology, but is a part of all of family life for us, that will impact us whatever choices we make.

	Family Work 2007

Parent in Texas 2007:

I went to the conference prepared to be disillusioned (because this was my big fear), but I feel even more strongly that we are on the right path than I did two weeks ago.

Beth took us through many of the activities that I will be doing with the boys, and she focused on the individual subjects. We looked at what the heart of each subject really is and how best to present them to our children. We did a lot of movement, song and verse work; saw how foreign language is woven in, got to paint, listened to stories and worked out math activities. And lots more! In a nutshell, I feel a lot more confident about what I am doing, and I got to have a glimpse of the road ahead.

It is all really quite amazing how Enki pulls so many threads together. Enki provides a blueprint, but I definitely have to put in the time, care and effort to bring it to life in our family. And, it is the only approach that I have found that takes the whole family into account as a priority, not as an afterthought. It is not child-led, or parent-led. It is family-led; and Evan (my husband) and even our extended family are as much a part of the process as the boys and I are. So, I am feeling happy and inspired, and not overwhelmed.

Parent in Kentucky 2007:

I loved living in community with a group of Enkians.  Although we came from all over the country and we were at different places with our selves and our own children it felt to me that we were very much together.  Even when we were trying to figure out how to actually make being with each other work in a group setting.  I am 'noticing' that the question of group health versus individual health keeps rising in me. I am grateful for the opportunity to live the adult version of the Enki experience.

Colin catches a Crayfish 2004

	Running to join swim 2007

Parent in Colorado - 2004, 2005, 2007

I attended one of the Enki Homeschooling Programs in New Hampshire this summer. That was the best thing I could have ever done for my child and our family for our home schooling efforts! Ever since then I know I have made the right personal choice for our family and the homeschooling is going very well. I can't say enough about the Enki Homeschooling Program and the Enki Homeschooling Materials, as well! I came to the program not knowing what to expect; I learned so much and the attention to the teacher's (in our case Mother's) well being, and teaching us to stay balanced via movement, meditation and lots of good healthy food was really wonderful! Beth Sutton is a very motivated, dedicated and wonderful person, full of knowledge that she shares in such a unique and insightful manner.

Parent in Massachusetts - 2004, 2005, 2007

	Toddlers Tie Dye 2007

Attending the 2004 Enki Homeschooling Programs was a turning point in my homeschooling journey. The week brought me in contact with parents who share many of the goals I have for raising my child through a holistic approach to homeschooling. Second, while it grounded me in the Enki philosophy, it also addressed my more practical concerns about homeschooling with this curriculum. Lastly, it brought to life for me the concept of rhythm and its importance in making the overall picture work. Leaving the Homeschooling Program, I felt supported; overwhelmed at the thought of digesting all I had learned; and excited, really excited, about what the Enki approach could do for my child—and what my role would be in connecting my child with the curriculum.

The people I met at the program were a wonderful group. Down-to-earth, with good senses of humor, they, too, were looking to give their children the life experience described in the Enki core philosophy as “a connection to the wholeness and vitality of life.” We commiserated about neglected yoga practices and the difficulty of finding time to take care of ourselves, the teachers/caregivers. We exchanged tips on where to buy good supplies. We meditated together and fumbled together as Beth led us through circle verses. Paired off with another course member, we took turns “holding” each other’s children in our thoughts, and discussed the children with care and respect. At some point, I think most people must have realized what I came to—that this course and this homeschooling journey was as much about us as it was about the children. And the atmosphere for learning this—and discussing it—was a safe one.

Treasure Hunt Bounty 2007

The Enki Homeschooling Programs provided a key to help me better understand and absorb the Enki philosophy. That said, I also came away with a boatload of practical information. I was so relieved to get answers to my questions: “How do you do circle with an only child? How do you teach form drawing? So this is how we use stories with watercolor painting!” and so on. Anything I didn’t think to ask (and there was plenty), someone else did, thank goodness. The answers helped me figure out which details I really needed to sweat…and which ones I didn’t. They helped me prioritize my preparation plans and always helped point me back to the most important preparation—of myself as teacher, model, and mother.

There were many a-ha! moments for me during the conference. One of the stand-out, take-home ones for me was about rhythm and the role it plays in daily life and in applying the Enki curriculum. I was given the chance to consider my home rhythms—to figure out what they currently were and to think about how I might tweak them to better support my child’s learning and growth. The concept of rhythm has now become so central to how I look at things that I sometimes forget that it wasn’t always so. Having the chance to explore this with others at the program was invaluable to me.

In short, the benefits of attending the Enki homeschooling program were, for me, the same benefits I find whenever I manage to get out for a live musical or theatrical performance. The “live” experience allows interaction, a sharing of energy, a sharing of ideas. It puts faces and specifics to theoretical concepts. It gets you together with others who share your interests. And I usually remember the “live” experience for a long time afterwards. The Enki homeschooling programs are no exception.