Just living and learning
Not so long ago, in that little space between lockdowns, I was talking with two friends about the tension we sometimes feel when our children don't want to do things we think they'd enjoy. The context that day was simple. We'd planned to go for a hot chocolate and a walk with some of our... Continue Reading →
It's New Year's Day, and I'm thinking about the month ahead and how we will find our way with these new restrictions. We had some good plans for January. We're organising a debating group, D wanted to join a coding club and take up a martial art, we found a place to go riding.. Now... Continue Reading →
The term 'deschooling' is often used to refer to the time a child needs after leaving a school environment to reconnect with themselves and their inner curiosity and motivation. But, parents need to deschool too! And it's much harder after decades of believing in—or at least being surrounded by—certain paradigms about childhood, parenting and education.... Continue Reading →
Every now and again, I'll read about the adventures of an unschooling family out there somewhere and feel a little envy. What triggers this is a certain kind of family photograph. They're all in wetsuits next to a row of kayaks, grinning on the peak of a mountain, or working together on a science project.... Continue Reading →
D was explaining recently what his ideal school would be like. If this school existed, he concluded, he would probably go. And so would I! D's school would have no more than six children in each class. The spirit would be entirely collaborative, so no competitions, medals, or being top of the class. Instead, each... Continue Reading →
I never get tired of watching how my children learn what they need to learn. Mostly this process ticks along quietly. When they're interested in something, they deep dive into it— they read, they talk, they watch documentaries, and they weave the knowledge together from many sources. The learning is a natural result of their... Continue Reading →
