Mom and Dad Launching Magazine to Support Their Family's Habit - Education, That Is

Massachusetts family launches a new educational magazine to encourage other families to take a more active role in their children's education.

(PRWEB) February 23, 2005 -- When their first child arrived nearly thirteen years ago, Brian and Nissa Gadbois knew that they wanted an extraordinary life for themselves and their children. Now, expecting their fifth child, it seems theyve finally achieved what they set out to do, but it didnt turn out exactly as they had anticipated.

Eight years ago, the Gadbois began educating their oldest child at home to allow them more freedom to travel and allow their daughter to continue to learn at her advanced pace. Several years later, frustrated with the lack of materials without religious doctrine, curricula that was too rigid, or not challenging enough, they came back to a teaching and learning style they followed when their children were toddlers -- curiosity. They remembered that the most valuable and lasting learning experiences were those that came from everyday life (talking to the public works man fixing a fault in the sewer, or questioning the archaeologist on the dig site near their home in the United Kingdom), or those that involved adventure.

The kids were engaged because there was something happening. They could already read and write by the time they were three-and-a-half years old. Traditional school would have bored them to death. Our first two children were doing algebraic equations in their heads by 5 or 6," says Nissa Gadbois, NAVIGOs editor. The children loved to look up more about what they saw or heard, loved to discuss what theyd seen, loved meeting new people. The people they met loved engaging with curious kids. We got away from that style of learning when we felt under pressure to produce metered results for the school district -- it destroyed our learning atmosphere." That coupled with a debilitating illness and a lucrative home business that fell apart after 9-11, sent studies (and finances) into the doldrums.

While searching for a new home business that would bring the family together full-time, cut out Dads hour-each-way commute, and sustain the family -- they decided to focus on a project that would compliment their home education. The original plan was to form an organization for other home educators where parents and children could come and participate in challenging classes and workshops as well as educational tours allowing families to explore independently, then come together to have interesting discussions with each other over a group dinner.

Having previously investigated publishing a magazine, it seemed an interesting idea again, and one that was a natural compliment to the Gadbois other plans. They spent over a year developing a vision for the magazine. It was based on a need they had that wasn't being answered by any publication. There were - and are - several publications for homeschoolers" on the stands. The publications already in production were either poorly written, poorly produced, stagnant, or religiously focused. They wanted to speak to readers who appreciate well-written in-depth articles with an educational focus (rather than a litany of how-to advice), beautiful photography, and quality resources.

I couldnt see starting another business from home if it didnt compliment the purpose of my being home, which is to spend time with and help educate our kids," says Brian Gadbois. The fact that it is the source of their education in addition to providing for our family and allowing us a certain amount of freedom is more than we could have hoped for".

The Gadbois are targeting home learners who are more adventurous types - who travel frequently for educational as well as recreational purposes, who go out of their way to avail themselves of more in-depth educational opportunities, are focused on getting the most from their educational experience as a family, are goal driven, and who don't mind spending more for better resources.

NAVIGO Magazine, which mails its first issue on May 18th, is an educational publication written for the entire family. Although its voice is one of educated sophistication, it should be easily readable by children as young as 10 years old. Its purpose is to provide in depth information on a variety of subjects and to encourage families to get out and learn from their world, and have fun doing it. Each issue focuses on a specific editorial theme with its feature articles written from scientific, historical and cultural perspectives. There will also be travel features, product reviews, news and events, and interviews with individuals and families who exemplify NAVIGOs spirit of experiential learning. Lest you get the impression that the magazine is aimed only at the nations estimated 1.5 million homeschoolers, the Gadbois are actively marketing to the millions of families with children in both public and private schools through institutional and discounted subscriptions. NAVIGO will print 8 issues a year, with two of those issues focusing on Elite Sports.

Our magazine really embodies our own educational philosophy: take an interesting subject and really sink your teeth into it. Dont just read about it -- get out there and experience it," says Nissa Our kids actually do a considerable amount of the research for the articles as well as preparing their own pieces for online content. It requires them to read quite a bit, travel extensively, be observant of their surroundings, conduct telephone and personal interviews, take good notes and write effectively." All that is in addition to keeping up with math, grammar, Latin and the Classics.

The print publication will be complimented by exclusive online content complete with extra information on print topics, suggested resources available through the NAVIGO Store, projects to try, and reports and travelogues written by the Gadbois kid contributors.

For more information or to order a subscription, please call Nissa Gadbois at 508.248.1113 or online at www.navigo-online.com.

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