Homegrown. Holistic. Respectful. Playful.
About us
Grown out of a desire to create a thriving, supportive, accepting and child-centered learning environment, the Weehawken Homeschool Collective is a group of home-educating families that come together to achieve common goals for their children's learning experiences. The Weehawken Homeschool Collective has been operating since 2021.
We provide a welcoming community for homeschooling families to explore and discover alternative ways to educate their children. We have children who have never been in a traditional school environment, children who have been in private school and public school, and children who are exploring school for the first time. Some children spend time with our collective for only the summer. Some children go off to start public or private school with a stronger foundation than they had before. And some children continue to grow with the collective over the years.
Along the way, we build community with one another that helps our children build strong bonds and relationships with fellow children and families.
What We Believe
Every Child Comes Whole
Children come into the world as pure love and joy, and each child has a path to walk in this world that is their own. It is our duty then as adults to respect children from birth and give children the allowance and container to self-express in their unique ways and at their own pace. Whether through play, verbal or non-verbal communication, imagination, risk-taking, modeling, art and theater, or everyday life experiences, children innately have their own styles of expression. By respecting children, we are able to nurture, support and guide children through their discovery of themselves. We take cues from the child as to what they need and give them freedom to experience learning in their own way.
Children Learn Playing, Imagining and Exploring
Children are curious beings and have an infinite appetite for play and imagination. It is no wonder that children learn best through these ways of exploring the world. As adults, we offer the space and experiences possible for the child to embark on their discovery. These experiences may touch upon a variety of subjects, including socio-emotional skills, math, reading and writing, art, science, and more, but are not restricted in textbooks and activity books. To gain a greater understanding of what children desire, we listen and observe children in their activities and engagement with their surroundings. Slowly, the child uncovers their gifts, passions and interests, derived solely from the child.
Children Thrive in Nature and the Outdoors
Nature is a primary teacher for children. Born into the rhythms that govern nature, children have no concept of time. Instead, natural cycles mirror the cyclical aspects of children’s development. When children are outside, play and imagination are no longer restricted to toys and are replaced with stones, sticks, sand and other natural elements that take on infinite properties. Children learn the boundaries of their bodies as they encounter various terrains and environments. And health benefits, such as improved gut health from touching soil and Vitamin D from sunshine help our children to thrive. In turn, children build a greater respect for nature, its elements, and its bounty.