«Happiness travels with you»: learning in the caravan school

«It's our responsibility to make sure you get back to school somewhere after the trip. But we are not your teachers.»

This message needs to be repeated a few times. All too quickly we fall into the temptation of «Teacher, tell me what to do!» or «Student, you have to practise that again, preferably right now!».

Both demands arise from roles that we do not want to take on and bring conflicts that we have no desire to deal with.

But can children learn enough and the right things without a teacher?

At least for some of the travellers we meet along the way, this is the first burning question: «You're doing school on the road, are you teachers?»

Our «no» is usually followed by an apologetic explanation as to why it's still okay.

School without school - how does that work?

We had already looked into concepts of free and self-motivated learning before we left. However, homeschooling was never our primary school model. We don't want «no» school, but a «good» school.

An educational centre that focuses more on enthusiasm and intrinsic learning than on performance and deficit orientation. One that recognises and promotes children's other developmental needs in addition to learning the school curriculum.

However, we are no longer enrolled at any school while we are travelling. We are deregistered from Switzerland, but in France, where we are registered, homeschooling is possible without any problems at the time of our departure.

We parents know nothing other than the state school route. That's why we initially lack the self-confidence and experience to say: «It'll be fine.»

Making learning fun

In the meantime, this uncertainty has largely subsided. We are now convinced that learning at your own pace with a flexible timetable can have a very positive effect on motivation.

We have realised that only a few ingredients are needed to create a supportive learning context.

Firstly, we have a clear framework: There is a school week, we also take time off school in between, we follow a curriculum, we have great learning portals and professional textbooks.

Secondly, we basically have interested and motivated children.

About may and must

There is a lot of freedom in our caravan school without teachers. There is plenty of room for individual projects and interests. Nevertheless, we have expectations of the children's learning. So there are some things that have to be done, but there are also many things that can be done or left undone.

Our approach roughly corresponds to this beautiful quote attributed to the satirist Johann Conrad:

Broadening horizons

Of course, we do not imagine that we can replace everything that a specialised teacher, a trained learning guide or a school class would offer our children.

At the same time, no school can ever replace what the children have seen, experienced and learnt on their journey. Most of it cannot be found in any school textbook or on the internet.

Many Swiss or German children probably know Spain, Portugal, southern France or Italy from their summer holidays: Dried and sand-coloured landscapes, beautiful beaches, lots of sun cream, delicious ice cream and long, balmy, exuberant evenings ..., wonderful!

But the country itself is interchangeable, except perhaps for the Gracias!, Obrigada!, Merci! or Grazie! as a small difference.

How many children from Switzerland have experienced how the pink almond trees in the south of France stand out against the snow-covered Pyrenees in February, how the mimosas bloom in Portugal in March, and how it smells like a flower shop everywhere?

How many children have learnt how the hoopoe in Andalusia calls its «hup-hup-hup» through the countryside in April or how in November in Sardinia a tender green grass grows between the pine trees, as it does here in spring?

How history can comfort

In addition, there is the incredible cultural diversity of Europe, which can hardly be experienced from the school desk. From the nuraghi in Sardinia and the Roman sites in Italy to the Alhambra in Spain, the Cathar castles in France and the whalers' graves on Föhr in North Friesland: there is no place where history cannot be experienced and everything is somehow connected.

The ups and downs, wars and disasters, achievements and discoveries that have shaped Europe over the millennia teach us that humanity is always evolving and that even the darkest times will pass. This knowledge puts into perspective many things that seem frightening at the moment.

We are part of a great story in which crises come and go. It is a comforting feeling that I wish for every child in today's world.

The itinerary at a glance:

Find out in part 4 how the journey continues and how letting go brings lightness. This will be published in mid-August.