Cartoonist Michael Leunig on education

Ainslie MacGIbbon interviews Australian cartoonist and philosopher Michael Leunig in the June 22nd, 2009 issue of The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper.

According to the article, Leunig is passionate about protecting "a child's natural love of learning". Parents who opt to educate their children at home are compelled to treat children as individuals, finding solutions that work for each child. It's not an easy task as it takes a great deal of faith to overcome the nagging critics, especially the voice of doubt in one's head.

Leunig emphasises allowing children to enjoy the energy of childhood: for him homework and cramming to get top scores are less important than spending time as a family as predictors of a better quality adult life.

For Leunig, home educating his children is "taking back what we are meant to do".

But home educating isn't always easy or rosy: Leunig acknowledges that it can be challenging at times and says that he doesn't promote it to others unless they are already interested in taking this different path with their children.

It is obvious from Ainslie MacGibbon's article in the SMH that Leunig is sold on the benefits of home education!

For more information about Michael Leunig visit:

- http://www.leunig.com.au/
- Michael Leunig on Wikipedia
- George Negus interviews Michael Leunig on GNT Profiles