Kingsley Educational Pty Ltd

Throughout this Web site: = Australian; = Christian; = new/updated; = Special. = Early (age 3-9); = Middle (age 7-15); = Senior (age 13-18); = Parents; = Everyone Prices: First is including GST, and payable by all Australian customers; second is for overseas only.

Most people consider buying "sight unseen" to be a great disadvantage-some even to the point of refusing to buy until they have had the opportunity you are now getting. However, a quick peruse of one book (among many) on a stand will give them great information about its weight, colour, print size and layout, but hardly any about its purpose, method, or suitability. They may not even spot the very book they need, or may gloss over it without realizing it.

If buying after perusing is not ideal, what is? Is there no benefit from browsing first? Well, obviously there are benefits to be gained from a really good curriculum show. It all depends on your preparation. If you can do some homework before the conference, and a little follow-up afterwards, you can make intelligent decisions and you will quickly become an "experienced" home educator.

The first step is to obtain and read catalogues from the companies that will be represented. As you read, jot down questions that arise in your mind (eg. What age group is this meant for? Will it suit my kinesthetic learner? How much preparation time would be needed?). Some questions will be answered as you read on, and some will cease to be important (eg. if you find something that will definitely suit you). Hopefully the fruit of an evening's thoughtful reading will get you much closer to getting together the questions you are seeking answers for.

The second step will be to write (or phone, fax, email etc) to the companies and ask the questions. Their answers may involve bringing particular things to show you, or pointing you in other directions for answers, or asking further questions. Sometimes what you need is available from local sources better than any home education supplier (local tourist information centres are great sources for local history and geography, for example). Other times it will motivate someone to create something-but most of the time there are great answers for good questions. To find the greatest solution, first discover the question, and ask several sources. Then attend the seminar, listen to the speakers, and browse intelligently.

If you do not have the opportunity to do the homework before the conference, another approach is to use the curriculum show as a fact finding expedition. Warning: you will be totally overwhelmed with the extent of the available material! Do not try to gather your facts and purchase on the same day if you are unsure of what you want. Don't fear postage costs-postage is never as expensive as several inappropriate purchases! Take notes about everything you browse-write down title, price, company and what impressed you. Be sure you have the catalogues-you might find it easiest to write your notes in there. Otherwise, take your notes elsewhere for now, and when you get home, browse, compare and put your comments in the catalogue. Now is the time to jot down further questions to ask. You might also note which companies you found most helpful (etc).

The first method is superior because you have access to all the companies when your questions are ready-formed. Also, letters before the conference are much cheaper than mailing books to and fro afterwards. However, better the second method than none at all!

There is an old saying, "Some people gain ten years' experience in ten years; some just gain one year's experience ten times". We find that thoughtful home educators become "experienced" in one year or less-while others go from one year to the next without ever working out where they are going (of course they don't get there!). Which would you rather be? Curriculum shows and seminars are a great place to gain knowledge and if knowledge is properly assimilated it can become wisdom. The reason some people fail to find answers at curriculum shows is that they don't come with questions!