Our story

Why make room for a different way?

Free Path begins with a question: how can learning help young people grow while protecting their curiosity and wellbeing?

READING

Explore the research.

These nine references are linked from Free Path’s published Story page. They explore wider questions about learning, play, motivation and creativity; they do not establish measured outcomes at Free Path.

Read the nine published referencesOpenClose

Extrinsic rewards and intrinsic motivationDeci, Koestner & Ryan (1999)
Test anxietySegool, Carlson, Goforth, Von Der Embse & Barterian (2013)
No Contest: competitionAlfie Kohn (1992)
Game engagementPrzybylski et al. (2009)
Play and an adaptable brainPellis & Pellis (2011)
Mammalian playSpinka et al. (2001)
Mixed-age groupingLiu & LaFreniere (2014) · Google Scholar search
Learning by teachingDuran (2017)
Creativity developmentLaycraft (2012)

A father’s question. A new direction.

Founder Stephen Caddick’s search for the right learning environment for his son led him towards homeschooling and natural learning. His background in youth work, teaching and correctional work had raised questions about how young people experience education. Conversations with parents, learners and home educators, and visits to alternative learning communities in Australia and the United States, helped shape Free Path. At its heart is a wish to give families more choice and children more room for curiosity.

The experience matters

The story behind Free Path considers the pressure of education, the space left for creativity and the preparation young people need for adult life.

Questions worth exploring

Research into motivation, play, mixed-age learning and creativity informs the questions we ask about education and how young people grow.

THE FIRST STEP IS A CONVERSATION

Let’s find their path.

Tell us about your family. We’ll talk through your questions and what’s available in Canberra.

Book an information call