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In this episode you’ll learn:
- Why Tim and Kerry chose to take Amy and Ella out of school
- How the Meek family sustain friendships remotely
- The rewards and challenges of living a life on the the road
”You can’t reclaim this time so let’s make the most of it” – Tim Meek
When you are on the road sharing space with a younger generation it seems you can learn a lot about being creative and your own creativity.
In part one, the Meek family revealed what motivated them to take their girls out of school, sell their house and create a living on the road.
In today’s episode, part two, the final part of our chat, the Meeks go deeper sharing how they sustain friendships and what it means to give up almost everything in search of adventure and to receive an education on the road.
The parents, Tim and Kerry Meek, share what it feels like to co-learn with their children.
Ten year-old Ella reveals what it feels like to learn outside of school and twelve year-old Amy shares what she loves about learning to be an author whilst traveling.
Listen to Part One.
Items mentioned in this episode (quick access):
A lifetime of learning
[00:41] Introducing the Meek family and part two of our chat.
[01:40] How the Meek family decided to take Amy and Ella out of school.
[04:44] The challenge of creating a ‘school from school’.
[05:37] Tim offers an example of how they are making education on the road work inspired by environmental global goals.
[08:01] Ella talks about visiting and learning about the Battle of Hastings.
Being entitled to an education
[10:20] Designing a curriculum which is best for the kids.
[10:35] Visiting Isaac Newton’s house.
[12:55] Amy shares how you can tell when someone is truly interested.
[14:25] Why Tim believes the school system is an out-dated model.
[15:37] Ella shares how she used to feel visiting museums at school.
Different types of learning on a journey
[17:03] Ella reveals what it feels like to learn outside of school.
[18:34] Treating journey time as a learning opportunity.
[20:10] What Amy loves about learning whilst traveling.
[21:13] Tim shares their experience in a high atlas hill village in Morocco.
[21:45] Zimbabwe.
“Without the shackles of a constrained curriculum…we are able to explore different ways of learning and engaging with the world” – Tim Meek
Passion and perspective
[22:16] Amy and Ella reveal what they are passionate about.
[23:40] Science and astronomy. Curiosity.
[24:16] Parents, Tim and Kerry, share what it feels like to co-learn with their children.
[25:00] The ‘sage on the stage’ versus ‘the guide on the side.’
[26:00] Egyptian gods and why the sun doesn’t fall. Christmas lectures.
[27:21] Astronaut Tim Peek and helicopter pilots. Life support on the space station.
[28:44] Local history.
“Our knowledge of UK geography and history was greatly improved alongside the girls” – Kerry Meek
Meeting new people in new places
[29:12] Amy shares how friendships unfold on the road.
[32:00] Having to compromise with family and friends.
[32:30] Keeping connected.
[33:40] Making friends on the road…and moving on.
Inspiration and friendship on the road
[36:05] The toughest challenges for Amy and Ella on the road.
[38:38] Who has inspired Ella most recently.
[39:39] What’s inspired Kerry.
[40:14] What’s inspired Tim. Daily gratitude.
[41:35] Who has inspired Amy most recently.
[45:38] What’s next for the Meek family.
Links and Resources:
Further reading:
- The Telegraph – Carry on camping: Why we took a family gap year in a caravan
- The Guardian – Our best ever family decision: quitting school and jobs, and taking to the road
If you enjoyed this podcast, you’ll also like:
- The Meek Family (Full Interview – Part One)
- What An Aspiring 12-year-old Author Can Teach You About Taming Your Inner Critic
- Young Change-Makers : Driving a Generation of Generosity With The Webb Family
- Yestival 2015 Reflections
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