A group of families striving to provide an exceptional learning environment for their kids, based on their kids' interests and developmental abilities, and a healthy, fruity lifestyle.
Members: 51
Latest Activity: May 13
Started by Mary TG. Last reply by Mangoustine Jan 17. 3 Replies 1 Like
Let's post what a typical unschooling day looks like in your home. Here's mine. I got up a 7:30am and started in on some fruit. The kids play first thing in the morning until about 9. I get my…Continue
Started by Sophia Shanez. Last reply by Sophia Shanez Oct 29, 2012. 5 Replies 0 Likes
I just started unschooling/homeschooling back in march and am in my 3rd year of high school. I'm so worried about college. I want to be able to learn and do whatever I want but I keep thinking about…Continue
Started by Mary TG Sep 5, 2012. 0 Replies 1 Like
What a beautiful day. I'm so thankful my kids were able to enjoy the outdoors for hours today. For unschooling we read an online article about the Curiosity on Mars and watched a video about its…Continue
Started by Mary TG. Last reply by David Costa Aug 14, 2012. 6 Replies 0 Likes
I think on one hand it's harder to have hcrv kids while in a school setting. On the other the hcrv lifestyle makes being at home so much more fun and effective.What are your thoughts?Continue
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Comment by HolisticHealthDetective on August 14, 2012 at 2:30pm Hi Cherry,
Welcome!
What I have found most true about the key to the unschooling life is how much we have to undo--and have much we have to remember not to interrupt.
For example, I have found that saying "yes" when my girl wants permission to do something is pretty much always more optimal than saying no. Watching how much we say no and what we say it to is very insightful and revealing---lots of ingrained habits worth checking there.
Example: My mother came to stay with me last fall and she was telling Ana to stop playing with her food and if she was no longer eating, then she needed to say "excuse me" and politely leave the table and push her chair in, etc. Whereas what Ana was used to was totally being able to play with food, feel texture, deconstruct/recreate, and learn what she likes and in what combo. If she stops eating for a bit she usually goes over to play with the baby or just sits back and hangs out with us and I much prefer the solidarity of sharing with us as opposed to sending her away. And if I leave her food out, she'll come back for it later---you can find her seating herself and calmly eating later on.
I call that unschooling. She's teaching herself about her own palette, and about nutrition. My goal there: don't interrupt her experimenting and allow her own relationship w/food to happen. She's a 4 year old vegan BY CHOICE by now (yea I'm soo proud!!!) and has a robust appetite. And she's food aware. She caught me yesterday giving the baby some coconut and she stopped me---reminding me of baby's coconut intolerance. Smart cookie!
My mom's stern table rules really bummed her out. Had to unschool my mom a bit there!
If she wants to go to the park, we go. Maybe we can't drop everything to get her there, but she holds us to our word (and reminds us) until we deliver.
We don't force books on her, but she sees us reading and brings us books to read with her. Somewhere along the way I've noticed she can count on one hand and knows some letters. She likes to show 4 fingers when saying how old she is. Love how she just taught herself that.
She LOVES to splash in puddles. To accomodate this I picked up some rainboots and now puddle jumping is great fun. Sometimes (like today) she just jumps in them and gets her sandals and pants all wet--oh well. We just change them!
I let her watch her shows. She gets on Netflix and she picks out something that suits her mood. She watches them here and there but will always give them up for a craft or outdoor play.
If she wants extra treats, I don't stop her. If she asks for something at the store and it's a totally reasonable request---I get it for her. I reason, how many times do we indulge in extras for ourselves? Nice for kids to know they're not exempt from life's little treasures.
When to draw the line? Obviously, you want your kids to pick up after themselves, have good societal manners, not screech indoors, share to the best of their ability. Sometimes they need a crackdown---like when Ana went through a phase when she kept running outside and not telling us and we'd frantically search for her everywhere.
Saying yes and "giving in" are not the same--there is an important distinction. Saying yes is honoring their needs and desires for learning, exploring and gaining sensory knowledge. "Giving in" is letting them have the upper hand in a power struggle.
I've recently made a major effort to stop losing my cool with her--it seemed like I was always upset with her. When I started being more present, really focusing on her, saying yes and watching her grow, I noticed the gift in kind: she started giving me tons of hugs and sweet kisses and saying "I love you" 50 times a day. Never tire of that one!
Watch them and let them. Don't interrupt. Get out of their way. Bring them tools. Help if they ask for it. Simply live life; there's no curriculum!
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Comment by CherryBom on August 14, 2012 at 2:15am Hi all - I joined your group, because I have a nearly 3 year old and so far have managed to avoid daycare and the likes - I need to figure out a way to live our life so that I will be able to Unschool - I believe it would be so amazing for my child, and that's it would better prepare her for life in the future of our planet than the public education system (which I don't believe does much benefit at all)... So I'm here to learn and get ideas and inspiration etc.. :)
Going to have my 3 kiddos evaluated on Tuesday. It's a requirement in Maine to have a certified teacher view a portfolio and send a letter to the state confirming my kids have received instruction in language arts, math, science, art, music, health etc.
I'm a little on edge about it even though I know it's all good. There are so many things we do that you can't put on paper and stick it in a notebook. The evaluator is nice, she homeschooled her kids, unschooled one. But there's something about having someone evaluate what you've done that makes me a bit nervous.
As a unschooling parent, and homeschooler for 5 years now, there are still some of those society driven doubts that cloud me a bit. Am I doing the right thing? Am I putting my kids at a disadvantage?
The last two days were perfect unschooling days. Yesterday we spent at the beach (in Maine in March!! it was 82degrees F) and today the kids asked for math quizzes. My 2 first-graders are doing multiplation and I never taught them. We read a book all about Ben Franklin and played cribbage (great for math!). We played baseball and tag, ate lots of fruit and really enjoyed the sun. I love this lifestyle. so thankful.
Allison, you're in Wisconsin, right? Here's a link to Charter Schools in your state, you may want to check these out. http://dashboard.publiccharters.org/dashboard/select/state/WI/year/...
Charter schools are public schools (so no tuition) that don't have the same standards as national assessments etc but have a specific charter that they must adhere to. Some are science based, or Waldorf based etc. There's a lot of community- and parental-based involvement as well.
If I choose to work or don't feel like I can structure the unschooling, what are the best options as far as public or private schools? Thanks guys.
Yes, there's a clear lack of studiousness here! Our homeschool evaluator (who also unschooled) has a son who was really into legos as a kid and now works for NASA.
Comment by HolisticHealthDetective on February 20, 2012 at 10:13am Mary--even if it gets changed, I actually love the picture!!!
Though I'm a little concerned about the lack of desks and textbooks---they are clearly playing, not doing homework! I mean, what if they actually create something??? They might turn into NASA engineers!
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Would anybody like to upload a picture for the Unschoolers Group? I just put that picture up with my kids because I didn't know what else to put? Would like to see some other creative ideas. I think anyone can just edit under the options and upload.
Comment by Monica Louise on February 20, 2012 at 9:37am @Mary TG wow I just started homeschooling this year ...wasent quite sure what you all meant by unschooling..This is wonderful. I ddnt think I was "allowed" to homeschool like that! We spend hours in front of the computer everyday regurgitateing info..its a joke. I will def be looking into my state laws on this! Thanks for your info on a typical week. peace&love,Monica
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