The Experience Before the Explanation

Episode 221

Understanding how to develop a hands-on learning experience before offering an explanation can change everything about your homeschool teaching!

In today’s episode of the Art of Homeschooling podcast, Jean breaks down this powerful approach to teaching which is based on the work of Rudolf Steiner, the founder of Waldorf education.

As home educators, when we allow children to experience concepts firsthand before explaining theories or principles, we preserve their natural wonder and curiosity rather than shutting them down with premature explanations. This makes learning much less abstract. And honors how children learn naturally.

In this episode, you’ll hear examples from math, language arts, science, and history. Plus loads of inspiration that will make a real difference in your homeschooling journey.

The Experience Before the Explanation

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• My mantra for homeschooling: “The experience before the explanation” [0:40]
• Why do hands-on experiences matter? [2:33]
• Math: Concrete Experiences before Abstract Concepts [3:08]
• Language Arts: Storytelling as Experience [5:21]
• Science: Observation Before Explanation [7:02]
• History: Stepping Into the Past [8:49]
• Experiential Training for Home Educators [10:18]

Related Episodes

173: There’s No Substitute for Experience
36: Holistic Hands-on Homeschooling: The Guiding Principles
90: Main Lesson Block Learning is Fantastic for Homeschooling, And Here’s Why

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