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How Did a Man Get into My Unschool Podcast?
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Hi Sue. My comment isn’t directly related to this particular post. I have a question. I’ve been continuing to look at unschooling and it seems there’s a very wide array of interpretations of it. I’ve read where some parents ask what the child wants to learn and then build a year of school work around that. Maybe some might see what needs to be covered, say in math, and then find fun, creative, real-life ways to learn those concepts. Others may not guide anything at all. I’m curious, what’s your thoughts on this? I’ve not read everything here on your blog, so if you have any posts you want to redirect me to, please do. Also, have you written any posts that give some basic steps to take for the first few weeks or so for beginning to try unschooling? Like things you can focus on one at a time as you work into unschooling?
Karen,
Oh yes, different people have different ideas about what unschooling actually is. It gets confusing!
I think it’s always good to find out what a child is interested in. However, I don’t think that building a year of school work around the things he or she wants to learn about is unschooling. I imagine that there are lots of expectations associated with this method of learning. The child might have to learn everything in the program in a way that satisfies the parent. He’s not free to explore the things he enjoys in his own way. Learning might be structured even though the content has been tailored to the child’s interests. I wonder what would happen if a child suddenly decides he doesn’t want to know any more about a particular topic. Maybe his interest has been satisfied even though he hasn’t completed everything that the parent has put in his school work plan. Or what if he wants to pick and choose the bits he’s interested in? Would a parent protest and insist he does everything in the plan?
Unschooling is about a child having the freedom to learn in his own way and time. It’s not something that can be planned ahead of time. It’s about being curious, asking questions, pursuing answers… It’s about going unexpected places. It’s an adventure!
Of course, a parent can help a child by finding resources that relate to an interest, tempting a child with new learning experiences, being a curious person herself, learning with a child, and maybe even planning a few things. Sometimes we have to deliberately set aside some time to do such things as go on outings, and read particular books together.
When we have to be registered as homeschoolers, unschooling can be a bit tricky because our children might need to cover certain topics for registration purposes. Our family is in this situation so yes, I’ve looked for resources to cover the subjects that our children, by law, are supposed to be learning about. However, I have strewed these resources rather than made my kids use them. They have been free to accept or reject. Even though we have to fulfil certain registration requirements, we can’t force our kids to learn. That’s just the way learning works. All we can do is offer resources.
There are lots of posts here on my blog about what unschooling is and is not. Also, there are posts about starting unschooling. I’ll add a link. Also, have you seen my book Curious Unschoolers? It has lots of info set out in a more organised way. It’s been good to chat!
https://www.storiesofanunschoolingfamily.com/tag/starting-unschooling/
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Sue. And I have been planning to order your book the next time I do an Amazon order. 🙂
Karen,
You’re welcome! It’s wonderful to hear you’re planning to order my book. Thank you. I hope you enjoy reading it!
My girls and I were dreaming about visiting Australia today. I told them about listening to your podcast and following your blog. And that led me to telling them that a lot of the great resources they have been introduced to came through you! I will continue to pass on your recommendations to them. I thank you for your example and mentoring – bridging the expanse of time and distance.
Kim,
It is always such a delight to see a comment from you. Your words are always kind and encouraging. Thank you! We live in very different places. Maybe one day we’ll both have the opportunity to travel and visit each other’s countries!
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to meet sometime! We have always wanted to visit Australia. This April we go to London but maybe next adventure will be in your neck of the woods?
Kim,
I’d love to meet you. Yes, one day I hope you can take a trip to Australia!