I had barely made it inside when Shanti began showing me her stuffed bat collection, and we quickly bonded over our shared love of these amazing creatures. She decided it was absolutely necessary to wear her bat costume for our conversation — something I fully supported.
 

Once she changed, she hopped onto the couch beside me, confident, playful, and more than ready to tell me all about her learning, especially bats.

 

 

A first grader at Feather River Charter School, Shanti begins her mornings without the buzz of an alarm. She wakes naturally, usually around 7 a.m., starting her day feeling rested and ready.
 

After breakfast, she tackles her morning chores, often helping care for her two pet cats. These small but meaningful responsibilities give her day a sense of purpose, building independence and confidence before her academic work begins.
Three days a week, Shanti attends classes at the Love of Learning co-op. Here she participates in enrichment activities that support what she studies at home. These classes offer structure, social interaction, and exposure to other teaching styles, while still honoring her individual learning rhythm.
 

“We like to make sure she’s around other people,” Erika explained. “Because she’s so independent and an only child, we want her to have the opportunity to listen to someone else, besides us.”

 

 

Shanti’s homeschool experience is shaped by flexibility and new experiences, both in her schedule and her environment. Her upbringing has been enriched by travel and exposure to different cultures. Since she was just one year old, Shanti has lived a somewhat nomadic lifestyle. Her mother works as a hairdresser, while her father, Matt, runs a remote business. This has allowed their family to spend extended time traveling during her early years, helping Shanti develop an appreciation for the natural wonders around her.
 

They lived in Costa Rica, where Shanti attended a Montessori-style co-op that encouraged hands-on learning and collaboration with other students. Later, the family backpacked through Asia, bringing school books along and studying as they explored new places. Shanti excitedly told me about seeing a colony of giant bats flying across the sky at dusk — an experience that likely sparked her love of animals and deepened her curiosity about biology.
 

On co-op days, Shanti attends Love of Learning classes until the early afternoon. She also takes a parkour class at Tricks Gymnastics, giving her another important way to stay active. Activities like parkour help support focus, emotional balance, and brain development, especially for young learners.

 

At home, Shanti’s academic routine is intentionally flexible. Rather than sitting in one place for long periods, her parents adjust the learning environment to match her energy and attention levels. When schoolwork becomes challenging, they follow a simple philosophy: challenge turns into play.
 

“It really helps me become the teacher I am not,” Erika shared. “Turning things into a game and using different environments makes all the difference.”

 

Instead of pushing through frustration, the family changes locations — riding bikes, walking to the American River, or heading to a coffee shop so Shanti can finish her work in a new setting. These changes in environment help her refocus, making learning feel less like a task and more like an exploration. Matt also turns assignments into friendly challenges, tapping into Shanti’s competitive spirit to help her stay focused and aware of time.
 

Science is Shanti’s favorite subject. Right now, she is carefully observing caterpillars as they turn into chrysalises, watching the process and tracking changes each day. This kind of hands-on learning helps her understand concepts through real experience, making the lessons easier to remember and apply.

 

When she’s not studying, Shanti loves singing — her father plays instruments — and spends much of her free time drawing. A talented young artist, she uses creativity to demonstrate what she’s learning. This process works well for most children as they learn new concepts and skills. 
 

Shanti’s daily routine reflects the heart of homeschooling: activities that are responsive, intentional, and deeply personal. Through movement, curiosity, enrichment, and a supportive environment, Shanti is learning how to focus, adapt to new environments, and trust herself. These valuable skills will serve her well now and in future years. Shanti’s school days look very different from that of a more traditional classroom, yet there is no doubt they are filled with growth, discovery, and an endless amount of learning.
 

Shanti’s daily routine reflects the heart of homeschooling: learning that is flexible, purposeful, and personal. Through movement, curiosity, enrichment, and strong support at home, she is learning how to focus, adjust to new situations, and trust herself. These skills will serve her well both now and in the years to come. 
 

Shanti’s school days may look very different from that of a more traditional classroom, yet there is no doubt they are filled with growth, discovery, and an endless amount of learning.

 

Student Shanti standing with arms out (posed) in purple and black bat costume

 

 

 

 

Shanti’s collection of seven stuffed animal bats, all various sizes and colors, displayed on a coffee table.