🐴 Your child isn't broken (but their chair might be)

First time reading? Subscribe and learn more at OpenEd.co.

IN THIS EDITION:

• Why diagnosing fidgety children might be missing the real problem

• Public school enrollment dropping 6% faster than birth rates predicted

• Build a complete homeschool learning station for under $100 at IKEA

💡 THOUGHT

CHAIRS AREN'T CURRICULUM

When a 5-year-old can't sit still in class, conventiaonl schools diagnose the child. Perhaps we should diagnose the chair.

📊 TREND

EDUCATIONAL EXODUS

Alternative education podcaster Kerry McDonald recently joined the Hannah Frankman Podcast to talk about unexpectedly large decline in public school enrollment:

"We knew there would be a dip in enrollment," notes McDonald, citing the decline in birth rates, "but that dip has been far deeper than expected because families are choosing alternatives."

Nearly 6% of U.S. students now homeschool—matching public charter school attendance—while new categories like microschooling and open education are growing even faster.

"Parents are fed up with one-size-fits-all education," McDonald explains. "They want something responsive to individual needs and aligned with their values."

Thankfully, a growing number of public schools are also adapting and embracing the open education model of flexible, hybrid, customized options.

🔨 TOOL

IKEA LEARNING STATION

Parents of Reddit are sharing their favorite IKEA hacks for home-based learning spaces.

Here are some of the most ‘up-voted’ responses:

✅ Kallax shelves: The backbone of your library / curricula organizer
✅ SMULA trays: Contain craft chaos and make projects portable
✅ MåLA Apron: Long-sleeve paint smocks for messy projects.
✅ Råskog utility cart: Mobile learning stations that follow curious minds

What are we missing? Be the first to share your favorites with us on Instagram or tag a friend who needs to know!

(MEME) OF THE DAY

We challenge you to only leave with the things you intended to buy.

That’s all for today! See you tomorrow.

– Charlie (the OpenEd newsletter guy)

P.S. If you’d prefer to just receive the weekly edition, you can change your subscription settings here.