The Power of Natural Learning
Unschooling refers to learning which is directed by the CHILD, and based on his or her own interests and passions. It may also be referred to as natural learning, child-led learning, or organic learning.
This concept is so far from any traditional education ideas, that many people wonder if it can possibly work. So, does it? The answer is a resounding YES! My two always-unschooled boys (now aged 8 and 10) are happy, curious, imaginative and creative people who are truly learning all the time.
Transforming Lives
Unschooling goes far deeper than merely "education"
I became a more respectful parent, and learned to trust my children to know their own needs. I also learned to trust MYSELF, and when that happened, my life, along with that of our entire family, reached new levels of peace and freedom.
The biggest thing we have learned from unschooling is that ANYTHING is possible. We are free to learn what we want, do what we want, and BE what we want.
THAT is truly powerful!
My Unschooling Blog: Two Boys and a Dragon
Natural Learning in Action!
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byRead More About Unschooling on the Web
- Unschooling on Wikipedia
- Basic information about unschooling.
- Joyfully Rejoycing
- An excellent resource, with detailed answers to just about any question you could have about unschooling!
- Sandra Dodd's unschooling site
- A collection of writings on various aspects of unschooling, by Sandra and other unschooling parents.
- Living Joyfully
- Another great collection of articles and links on unschooling, including writings by Anne Ohman
- Unschooling America
- The site of unschooling advocate Dayna Martin
Are You SURE They're Learning?
Do my boys know everything they would "know" if they were in school? No. Does it matter? No. Why? By the time they are fully grown, I guarantee that they will be able to function as capable, productive adults. They already function better than many adults I've met. Even if they somehow "fall short" in the academic knowledge department (which I don't truly believe will happen), they will have something far more important - a deep understanding of WHO THEY ARE and what they are passionate about. That, to me is the biggest measure of success in life.
Although my boys may not know every single thing they're "supposed to", based on the current school curriculum, they know plenty of things that lots of kids don't. My eight year old, for example, knows who Ghengis Khan is and understands the mathematical concept of infinity. He also knows what a trebuchet is and how to build one (and how it differs from a catapult). My ten year old knows more about reptiles and amphibians than most adults. He also has personal experience caring for a reptile - our Bearded Dragon, Spark.
Those are just a couple of examples of the many, many things my children know about. They are learning more every day - so much that half the time I can't keep up with their learning!
Testing out our homemade trebuchet and catapult
Books About Unschooling
Unschooling magazines and ezines
Add and vote on your favorite unschooling magazines and ezines
1
Growing Without Schooling
Back issues of Holt's GWS2 points
2
Life Learning Magazine
Monthly print magazine1 point
3
Connections
Bi-monthly ezine0 points
What We've Been Up to Lately
The weather's been unseasonably cool and rainy so far this summer, so when we got a nice warm sunny Sunday, we immediately took off for a day at the beach!
2. WATER PLAY
When it hasn't been raining, the boys have been busy getting themselves wet - hanging out at the local outdoor pool and engaging in squirt gun battles with the neighbourhood kids.
3. MOVIES!
We've seen Star Trek and Transformers 2 so far this summer; next on our list is Harry Potter 6.
4. BACKYARD TRANSFORMATION
Joe built new fence along the back and one side of the yard (the rest was already fenced in) and the boys observed and assisted with part of the process. We have a stump and a LOT of gravel to clear out, then we'll be building a small patio in the back corner of the yard and creating some container shade gardens.
5. VEGETABLE GARDENING
Things are slow to grow this year with the cool wet weather, but we're doing our best to coax things along! We have sweet peppers, green beans, lettuce,arugula, tomatoes,mint, basil, oregano and parsley growing in our raised beds. We also have more tomatoes in planters on the deck, along with two mixed-herb planters.
6. PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Nathan loves playing soccer, baseball, and football at the park with the neighbourhood kids. Noah enjoys hikes in the woods and bike rides down to the nearby Waterfront trail, ever on the lookout for wild critters of all shapes and sizes :) Joe and I are on our bikes as much as we can be (I just started doing a group ride at 6 am on Wednesday mornings!)
Making a thaumatrope
This is the Video that Sparked Our Interest in Animation!
Books We Are Currently Exploring
The Bread Book: More Than 200 Recipes and Techniques for Baking and Shaping Perfect Breads, Sweet and Savory Muffins, Rolls, Buns, Biscuits, and Piz
I'm a long-time bread baker, currently reconnecting with my passion for making homemade breads. I just made my first batch of flour tortillas and am going to try pita breads soon. The boys enjoy observing the bread making process and occasionally help with the measuring and kneading. They are fascinated by yeast :)
Movies We Have Recently Enjoyed
Unschooling Discussion Lists
Get answers to your questions from experienced unschooling parents!
- Heart of Unschooling
- The members of this list are a group of unschooling parents utilizing spiritual principles (Law of Attraction) combined with energy psychology techniques (EFT) to heal our past, enjoy the present, and help create happy futures for and with our families. I'm a co-moderator of this list and it's one of my favourite places in cyberspace :)
- Shine with Unschooling
- A list that celebrates the uniqueness of every child, with lots of gentle, respectful advice.
- Radical Unschooling with the Law of Attraction
- Unschooling with an emphasis on metaphysical principles, spirituality and LOA.
- Unschooling Basics
- For those new to unschooling - get advice from experienced unschoolers.
- Always Unschooled
- A list for parents of children who have been unschooled since birth, to about age 8 or so.
- Always Learning
- An unschooling discussion list for fans of John Holt.
- Unschooling Discussion
- One of the oldest and largest lists for discussing unschooling.
I'd love to hear your thoughts about unschooling!
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Reply
- Native Intelligence Native Intelligence Jul 15, 2009 @ 8:03 pm | in reply to Annonomous
- I am a 14 year old that is homeschooled. I cannot give your reply the weight I might otherwise because of the laughable number of spelling and grammatic errors in your statement. Let's be clear that educated is not equivalent to smart. Native intelligence is something people are born with. Skills or knowledge are learned in various ways and the amount someone can learn is directly dependent on their native intelligence.
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- Lesley Lesley Jul 14, 2009 @ 8:02 pm
- You seem to be confusing the word "educated" with "schooled". I'm also curious as to where you get the idea that unschooled children are not receiving "stimulation" or that parents are unable to provide this? Nearly everything in this lens would indicate quite the opposite.
In the immortal words of Mark Twain-
"I have never let my schooling interfere with my education."
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Reply
- Annonomous Annonomous Jul 14, 2009 @ 2:06 pm
- When I look at the picture at whole, most in school children know by play and nature who they are, as you have explained. I do believe that children in school have fun learning, as teachers have adapted new ways that make these things taught every day very enjoyable. Children need encouragement and enjoy the social aspects of school, they also need and want the stimulation that parents cannot give them. Many unshooled children have free will to sit on the couch & play their hand held games, have poor vocabulary and written skills that would be benificial in the world of jobs. It's very hard to get a good job or even a job if you cannot prove of an education. I would agree of homescooling if there was a curriculm that had to be followed and testings to make sure that for their age, they will be at the correct level. That I believe is one of the things that should be part and expected. Educated children lead to smart adults and we all know that we need more of them in the world.
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- marsha32 marsha32 Jan 3, 2009 @ 3:11 pm
- New Year, new concepts, I am giving my 12 yr old her choice, which is to unschool. I just built a blogging type lens to keep track of our journey along the way. I like that you put photos, something I will also need to include in my own.
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- Evelyn_Saenz Evelyn_Saenz Apr 28, 2008 @ 10:53 am
- 5 Stars and Favored!
Please consider adding your lens to the plexo at the bottom of Teaching from the Heart.
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