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Ah, those durn kids that want to go to school, throwing a wrench in our plans!:)
I do believe in my children choosing their own education, so if school is part of their unique journey, I would honor that. On the other hand, a very young child doesn't always understand just what school is really like, and may become convinced by peers that it's the best way to go....'course with their options open, they can always change their mind.

My dd Sierra has always been interested in school. I could satisfy her desire by buying workbooks and "playing" at school with her. It only took a few times of that, to satiate her need. That, and a ride on the local trolley so she could get a bus experience.

Another unschooler here, had a dd that also decided school was the way to go at 5 y.o. Lisa signed her up for a pre-school at a community center, and after one day she'd had enough of that! Too many rules, too many "shoulds"...she was DONE.
I think if we offer them the good parts of school, the parts they're fascinated with, it just might fulfill the need and enable them to stay free of the system.

If they do end up choosing school for a time, just remember that an unschooled child's experience is very different from a child forced to be there.
I think I would also put them off for a while by saying they can start when they're 7 or 8...not let them know they could go at five unless they've already got that figured out!

Ren


Learn about unschooling at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/unschoolingbasics/

melissazietlow

--- In [email protected], <starsuncloud@n...> wrote:

> I do believe in my children choosing their own education, so if
school is part of their unique journey, I would honor that. On the
other hand, a very young child doesn't always understand just what
school is really like, and may become convinced by peers that it's
the best way to go....'course with their options open, they can
always change their mind.

I have never ruled out sending dd to school IF they really have a
desire to go, but I do feel very uncomfortable sending her at the a
younger age, even with her options open to come home at any time...
I am afraid the first few years would be highly glossed over. Does
that mean no harm done? I feel like she would be out on so much that
unschooling will provide while she is the youngest (as in a real
early childhood).


> Another unschooler here, had a dd that also decided school was the
way to go at 5 y.o. Lisa signed her up for a pre-school at a
community center, and after one day she'd had enough of that! Too
many rules, too many "shoulds"...she was DONE.

We did send Orion to preschool for one year before we had completely
decided to homeschool. It was a nice program, and she really loved
it. We decided not to send her back the second year, so she would
not be influenced about kindergarten, but it has been somewhat tricky
to explain as she has a few friends that she sees occasionally who
have continued on that path (we simply said preschool was over for).
In fact, she doesn't have many homeschooled friends that she spends
time with, as we only know one hs family right now... ***Maybe we
need to research support groups more seriously so she can make some
new friends.***


> If they do end up choosing school for a time, just remember that an
unschooled child's experience is very different from a child forced
to be there. I think I would also put them off for a while by saying
they can start when they're 7 or 8...not let them know they could go
at five unless they've already got that figured out!

I think she may have this figured out already, from spending time
with ps friends. If not, I am sure it will dawn on her soon enough.
I would feel more comfortable sending her if she still wants to when
she is a little older, put I want her to be happy iwith her life in
the meantime, and come to know what freedom feels like FIRST so she
has something to base a decision on.