Is This Even Learning?”: 21 Things That Absolutely Count as Education (Even If School Wouldn’t Call Them That)

This morning, one child built a cardboard ramp for a marble. The other used lipstick to write “NO ENTRY” on her bedroom door. Later they argued about whether Pluto is a planet, watched a documentary about volcanoes, and made 12 (slightly wonky) pancakes.

At 4.30pm I stood in the kitchen and wondered: “Wait. Did we… learn anything today?”

If you’ve ever had that same wobble – welcome. You’re not doing it wrong. You’re just living in the space where education and life blur beautifully together. And it can feel like freefall.

The Question Every Home Educating Mum Asks

When you leave behind worksheets, assessments and neat tick boxes, it’s easy to panic. You start second-guessing the days that don’t look like “school”.

But here’s the truth: learning doesn’t always look like school. And it’s not meant to. That’s the point.

So… What Does Count as Learning?

Let me say this gently and clearly:

If your child is curious, asking questions, trying things out, making mess, solving problems, or simply wondering – that’s learning.

And to prove it, here are 21 things that totally count (even if your school brain is side-eyeing them right now):

21 Things That Are Absolutely Learning

• Reading a graphic novel for the 12th time
• Arguing passionately about why Pluto should still be a planet
• Asking “Why?” in five-minute intervals for three hours
• Baking (and doubling the recipe, then halving it again)
• Recreating a scene from a book using LEGO
• Watching YouTube videos about volcanoes, black holes or ancient Egypt
• Memorising Pokémon stats, train timetables or the name of every Greek god
• Writing “NO ENTRY” on a homemade sign (spelling included)
• Helping their sibling learn how to zip up a coat
• Building a cardboard city and making up its rules
• Explaining a dream in vivid, hilarious detail
• Asking how money works, then setting up a pretend shop
• Spending an hour trying to flip a pancake without it sticking
• Falling into a Wikipedia rabbit hole about poisonous mushrooms
• Sorting toys by colour, size or “how weird their faces are”
• Singing every lyric of a musical soundtrack (with feeling)
• Observing how ants carry crumbs three times their size
• Creating a PowerPoint presentation about cats (just for fun)
• Making up new rules to a board game – and defending them in court
• Worrying about time, space or whether dinosaurs had feathers
• Talking. Questioning. Thinking. Playing. Dreaming.

Still Wondering If You’re Doing Enough?

Want to Keep This Close?

I’ve turned this list into a printable fridge poster called “Yes, This Counts” – so the next time doubt creeps in, you’ve got a gentle reminder at eye level.

👉 Click here to download the free printable

Stick it to the fridge. Tuck it in your planner. Share it with a friend. You’re doing more than enough.

You are.

Learning isn’t always measurable. It doesn’t always end in a finished project or neat answer. Sometimes it’s invisible for weeks, then bursts out all at once in a random car park conversation about tectonic plates.

So next time you ask, “Is this even learning?” – the answer is probably yes.

And if not? Tomorrow is another day. Another pancake. Another brilliant, weird, educational mess.

Want to Keep This Close?

I’ve turned this list into a printable fridge poster called “Yes, This Counts” – so the next time doubt creeps in, you’ve got a gentle reminder at eye level.

P.S.

If this post helped soothe your brain or heart, feel free to forward it to another home ed mum having a wobble today. We’ve all been there. And we’re all still learning too.

Mellow