RE: [unschoolingbasics] Hello everyone
Robyn Coburn
<<<My name is Wendy and I am seeking to learn more about unschooling. We
have a son who is 20 months old, and I have begun gathering information
about homeschooling. Unschooling, in particular, seems like something
that would fit in great with our family!>>>
Have you been to www.naturalchild.org ? Especially since your baby is so
young you may enjoy some of these articles.
<<<I try to read to our son often and I am always looking for ways to
enhance his experience of the world around him. I am reading a book by
Baby Einstein called "Great Minds Start Little", and it offers some
wonderful ideas, which I intend to implement in our home. I think
learning starts, well, when they are babies! After all, they are
absorbing everything. [snip]...So I'm really interested in learning more
about unschooling, and particularly sharing ideas on how to nurture a
preschooler's development.>>>
Just play with him sitting on the floor with plenty of colorful toys of
different shapes, textures and noises. Hang out on the grass outdoors. Let
him walk and follow him around. Keep him safe by putting your soft hand over
the sharp corner or piling the pillows below, rather than making him move
away or not letting him climb.
Beware of programs pushing early academics. The supposed "advantage" doesn't
generally last.
For a broad overview of unschooling working try www.sandradodd.com .
Robyn L. Coburn
---
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have a son who is 20 months old, and I have begun gathering information
about homeschooling. Unschooling, in particular, seems like something
that would fit in great with our family!>>>
Have you been to www.naturalchild.org ? Especially since your baby is so
young you may enjoy some of these articles.
<<<I try to read to our son often and I am always looking for ways to
enhance his experience of the world around him. I am reading a book by
Baby Einstein called "Great Minds Start Little", and it offers some
wonderful ideas, which I intend to implement in our home. I think
learning starts, well, when they are babies! After all, they are
absorbing everything. [snip]...So I'm really interested in learning more
about unschooling, and particularly sharing ideas on how to nurture a
preschooler's development.>>>
Just play with him sitting on the floor with plenty of colorful toys of
different shapes, textures and noises. Hang out on the grass outdoors. Let
him walk and follow him around. Keep him safe by putting your soft hand over
the sharp corner or piling the pillows below, rather than making him move
away or not letting him climb.
Beware of programs pushing early academics. The supposed "advantage" doesn't
generally last.
For a broad overview of unschooling working try www.sandradodd.com .
Robyn L. Coburn
---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.732 / Virus Database: 486 - Release Date: 7/29/2004
mamaaj2000
Hi Wendy. I'm AJ, mom to ds, 3.5; dd, 19 mo and another on the way.
We're down I-95 from you at Andrews AFB--practically neighbors!
Mikey was very verbal, very early so I looked into pre-school
curricula, learning activities, etc. But I couldn't resist pushing a
little and he learned to push back and resist it like crazy. I know
other people who suggest activities and have kids who are thrilled
with it all, so I don't think it's necessary bad, just that you have
to watch feeling like it's important and therefore you need
to 'encourage' a lot. Kids develop skills at different rates. If you
play with them tons, you see where they are and can feel comfortable
that it's the right place for them!
--aj
We're down I-95 from you at Andrews AFB--practically neighbors!
Mikey was very verbal, very early so I looked into pre-school
curricula, learning activities, etc. But I couldn't resist pushing a
little and he learned to push back and resist it like crazy. I know
other people who suggest activities and have kids who are thrilled
with it all, so I don't think it's necessary bad, just that you have
to watch feeling like it's important and therefore you need
to 'encourage' a lot. Kids develop skills at different rates. If you
play with them tons, you see where they are and can feel comfortable
that it's the right place for them!
--aj
eriksmama2001
This has been such a resource for me. I see that it is copyrighted, I
hope that by sharing it I haven't breached anyone's work by sharing
it here.
Preschool Homeschooling
Beverly S. Krueger
Eager to begin assisting their children down the path of life many
young parents schedule play dates, attend Mom and baby swim classes,
and busily start planning all the necessary activities to give their
baby a head start in life. At this early date they haven't yet
realized they are trying to speed their way to the moment when that
beloved child leaves their door for a life on their own. Yes, that's
a moment all parents want their children to achieve fully prepared
for the vagaries of life, but the closer you get to that moment the
more time you wish you had. By the time your child is sixteen, you
find them running willy nilly towards that goal themselves just when
you're ready to relax and take it a little slower.
With children ages five through sixteen, I've been through the new
parent "over achieve for my child" period and now face the "my baby
is going to be leaving soon" period. It's mingled heart ache and joy.
The way I deal with my younger children is also greatly affected by
this new life stage. I've started slowing down with them already.
Rather than push them on to new achievements ahead of the pack, I'm
giving them more time to be the age they are. Rachel needs plenty of
time to play house, sing to her dollies, color, dress up, and create
play dough buffets. She'll give up all these activities soon enough,
but the timing will be her own, not because I have pushed her into
more "educational" activities.
The concept "educational" activity is in itself restricting.
Somewhere along the way we have lost the understanding that the
activities commonly known as "school" are only one form of
educational activity. Learning to read, write, and do arithmetic have
been elevated to such a high plane that the other forms of learning
are pushed to the side as unworthy of much dedicated time. In the
past preschoolers were not expected to learn to read, and yet today I
receive many requests for help in choosing a reading program for
three or four-year-olds. I'm assured that the child is more than
ready to take this next step in his educational program. That may
well be, but my response is so what? Assuredly you can start a
reading program that requires only 10 minutes a day, and that really
isn't a great chunk of time to whittle out of the child's daily
schedule. But most people that insist on starting their preschooler
reading are also working on math, doing science experiments, and
finding all kinds of ways to jumpstart academics. All
this "educational" activity pushes aside the things that a child
should be doing, playing, exploring and discovering life on their own.
Most parents would be horrified to realize that they may be
unintentionally quashing their child's creative abilities by
constantly employing them in directed activities. They teach them to
color in the lines rather than give them art supplies to use as they
decide. Rather than letting them discover ants on their own, they
take them outside for a complete lecture on ants. By the age of two,
they schedule regular dates for their children to play with those
their own age ignoring the fact that two-year-olds don't yet play
socially. They tie up all their time in planned activities and events
never allowing children the freedom to discover on their own.
Creativity needs room to experiment. If children have no room to do
their own thing, they will gradually stop thinking in creative ways
and look only for the "correct" or "proper" way to do something. They
will turn to their authority, the parent, to tell them what they
should do. Later in life they will turn to other authorities.
Admittedly the over-achieving parent I've described is not the norm.
But most of us would recognize those traits in ourselves to one
degree or another. If you're naturally given to a relaxed mode of
life, don't pat yourself on the back too hard. Everyone has flaws,
it's just the organizers in life that fall prey to this need to
organize their children's lives to the nth degree.
So what should an over-achieving parent do besides sitting on their
hands and screeching occasionally? Organize their children's things.
No, I don't mean sort out their closets. I mean actively plan what
things you will place in your child's environment. Surround your
child with the tools for creative play: blocks, puzzles, dress up
clothes, dolls, cars, trucks, toy dishes, stoves, sinks, and brooms.
Be discerning in the toys you select. Are they toys that stimulate
imaginative play? Avoid electronic toys. Have bins of art supplies,
science supplies, and craft supplies that children can access and use
as they desire. If you have room, provide a stack of planks, bricks
and boxes for outdoor construction projects. Let your children raid
the linen closet to create their own tents with the dining room
table. Help them string a clothesline to hang curtains for stage
productions. Provide plenty of music tapes and an easy to use tape
recorder. Children will use these tools to build on daily experiences
and those special occasions when they make a visit to the zoo,
museum, or children's show. The day after their big sister's car wash
you may find them outside pretending to run their own car wash for
all the tricycles in the neighborhood. A visit to the zoo might spark
the creation of their own jungle room using their stuffed animals.
Allow children plenty of time to do their own thing. Turn them loose
in the back yard to dig, poke and pry keeping an eye on them from a
distance. I promise when some momentous discovery is made they will
come charging back to you to share it. As much fun as it is spending
time doing things with your children, it is equally fun to watch them
busy at their own tasks. Surreptitiously observing your children will
give you priceless memories of inquisitive faces determining that
water runs down hill if you dump your pail out on a sloping yard.
That hands on experience and many others will later confirm the
concept of gravity when they are older.
Don't let what I have said cause you to react too far in the other
direction and avoid doing things with and for your child. Many things
that children learn are learned by observing and following another's
example. When you're baking include your children. When you're
folding laundry let them help. Suggest that your daughter get out her
ironing board and iron while you iron, too. Give your son a patch of
ground to grow his own flowers from seed, showing him how to cover
each seed with just the right amount of soil and then gently sprinkle
them with water. The daily flow of life in a household is another of
the "educational" arenas that is forgotten in today's society.
Playing house is one of a preschool child's delights. It gives them
the opportunity to practice all the tasks they have seen their
parents and older siblings do each day. Although they may not
accomplish a task as perfectly as you desire, their unabashed
enthusiasm for housework will never be greater than at this age.
Letting them help you will teach them far more than you imagine.
They'll be improving their large motor skills, learn to discern
subtle differences (this window is clean, this window has streaks),
and learn to order tasks properly. All these things will help them
later when they do finally learn to read.
Don't rush your child through their childhood because you think you
are giving them a head start on achieving great things. Academics
have their place in a child's education, but they shouldn't be
allowed to force out the other important learning that a child needs
to do. As parents we want so much for our children that sometimes we
push them when it's better to let them grow at their own pace. The
key is to relax. Relax, that's a word that you will hear throughout
your homeschooling career. Even after many years of homeschooling and
parenting I still find myself needing to be reminded to relax
occasionally. It's hard to imagine now at the outset of your journey
just how much you will miss the times when your children came
trouping out in oversized shoes and clothes to invite you to a tea
party in their room. Revel in this time. The future holds equally
wonderful treasures, but they will be different treasures.
<>Great Stuff for Kids
Green Mountain Blocks Hardwood blocks that come in various shapes.
Sold in sets for toddlers on up. Sets sell from $25.50 to $68.40. A
super set is available with 128 blocks and 12 geometric shapes for
$168.80. A four block sample is available for $2 shipping and
handling. Green Mountain Blocks, PO Box 146, Danville, VT 05828.
Phone: 802-748-6724.
Brock Magiscope Technically not a preschool item, but due to cost
something you should consider saving for. This is the most durable
and usable microscope available for children. This scope is
constructed of solid aluminum alloy and tempered brass, with no
exposed threads, knobs, gears, or screws. Focusing is simple brass on
brass friction, requiring no grease or maintenance. The entire
microscope has one moving part. It requires no lamps, cords or
batteries. It's not something you'll hand your two year old, but a
four year old could spend a lot of time using it after proper
instruction. Model #70 with 20x magnification is $159. Brock Optical
Inc. 1-800-780-9111
Scooter boards Rainbow Resource Center sells a 12' square durable
plastic scooter board with non-marring wheels. It can be used indoors
and out. Our children and many of the neighbor's children have spent
hours playing with these boards. Just $14.50 in blue or yellow. Call
888-841-3456 for a catalog.
Lauri Crepe Puzzles Lauri makes a huge variety of puzzles from very
simple puzzles with just a few pieces to large puzzles with nearly
100 pieces. We own six or seven different puzzles including a very
simple flower puzzle to an intricate castle puzzle. These puzzles can
be found at most school supply stores. Timberdoodle carries several
of the perception puzzles, a noah's ark puzzle, the fit-a-state
puzzle and two different alphabet puzzles. Smaller puzzles are just
$5.50 with larger puzzles costing more. Get a Timberdoodle catalog by
calling 360-426-0672.
World's Best Bug Jar This sturdy plastic jar has a lid with air holes
and 2x magnifying glass. Flip down the top lens for 4x magnification.
Get this bug jar for just $2.95 from Tobin's Lab. Call 800-522-4776
for a catalog.
Giant Floor Puzzles Frank Schaffer makes some really great floor
puzzles from five foot long panorama puzzles to rectangular puzzles
with Biblical themes. Farm Country General Store sells ten different
puzzles for just $12.50 each. Call 800-551-FARM for a catalog.
Art supplies: Crayons, colored pencils, colored chalk, sidewalk
chalk, construction paper, drawing paper, tempera paint, paint
brushes of varied sizes, charcoal pencils, glue, pipe cleaners, craft
sticks, tissue paper.
Science Supplies: Dishpan, plastic beakers, graduated cylinders,
magnifying glass, compass, magnets, tweezer, paper clips, pennies,
paper cups, paper plates, cotton balls, scale, balance, children's
microscope, meter stick, yard stick, ruler, modeling clay, straws,
toothpicks, balloons, string, rubber bands, sand paper, and a funnel.
Items for this box and the art box can often overlap. Use your
judgement on which items you add for different age preschoolers. Make
sure they have access to non-messy ways of playing with sand and
water. Tobin's Lab offers science supplies at good prices. Call 800-
522-4776 for a catalog.
Dress up Box: Old shirts, dresses, skirts, pants, belts, hats,
gloves, jewelry, ties, scarves and purses. You can obtain many of
these items from sorting through your own closets. For special items
like gold high heels make the rounds of garage sales one weekend.
What you might consider unbelievably tacky to wear now might be the
highlight of a dress up box. Old formals and suit jackets can be had
very cheaply at garage sales.
Copyright ©1998 Beverly S. Krueger
hope that by sharing it I haven't breached anyone's work by sharing
it here.
Preschool Homeschooling
Beverly S. Krueger
Eager to begin assisting their children down the path of life many
young parents schedule play dates, attend Mom and baby swim classes,
and busily start planning all the necessary activities to give their
baby a head start in life. At this early date they haven't yet
realized they are trying to speed their way to the moment when that
beloved child leaves their door for a life on their own. Yes, that's
a moment all parents want their children to achieve fully prepared
for the vagaries of life, but the closer you get to that moment the
more time you wish you had. By the time your child is sixteen, you
find them running willy nilly towards that goal themselves just when
you're ready to relax and take it a little slower.
With children ages five through sixteen, I've been through the new
parent "over achieve for my child" period and now face the "my baby
is going to be leaving soon" period. It's mingled heart ache and joy.
The way I deal with my younger children is also greatly affected by
this new life stage. I've started slowing down with them already.
Rather than push them on to new achievements ahead of the pack, I'm
giving them more time to be the age they are. Rachel needs plenty of
time to play house, sing to her dollies, color, dress up, and create
play dough buffets. She'll give up all these activities soon enough,
but the timing will be her own, not because I have pushed her into
more "educational" activities.
The concept "educational" activity is in itself restricting.
Somewhere along the way we have lost the understanding that the
activities commonly known as "school" are only one form of
educational activity. Learning to read, write, and do arithmetic have
been elevated to such a high plane that the other forms of learning
are pushed to the side as unworthy of much dedicated time. In the
past preschoolers were not expected to learn to read, and yet today I
receive many requests for help in choosing a reading program for
three or four-year-olds. I'm assured that the child is more than
ready to take this next step in his educational program. That may
well be, but my response is so what? Assuredly you can start a
reading program that requires only 10 minutes a day, and that really
isn't a great chunk of time to whittle out of the child's daily
schedule. But most people that insist on starting their preschooler
reading are also working on math, doing science experiments, and
finding all kinds of ways to jumpstart academics. All
this "educational" activity pushes aside the things that a child
should be doing, playing, exploring and discovering life on their own.
Most parents would be horrified to realize that they may be
unintentionally quashing their child's creative abilities by
constantly employing them in directed activities. They teach them to
color in the lines rather than give them art supplies to use as they
decide. Rather than letting them discover ants on their own, they
take them outside for a complete lecture on ants. By the age of two,
they schedule regular dates for their children to play with those
their own age ignoring the fact that two-year-olds don't yet play
socially. They tie up all their time in planned activities and events
never allowing children the freedom to discover on their own.
Creativity needs room to experiment. If children have no room to do
their own thing, they will gradually stop thinking in creative ways
and look only for the "correct" or "proper" way to do something. They
will turn to their authority, the parent, to tell them what they
should do. Later in life they will turn to other authorities.
Admittedly the over-achieving parent I've described is not the norm.
But most of us would recognize those traits in ourselves to one
degree or another. If you're naturally given to a relaxed mode of
life, don't pat yourself on the back too hard. Everyone has flaws,
it's just the organizers in life that fall prey to this need to
organize their children's lives to the nth degree.
So what should an over-achieving parent do besides sitting on their
hands and screeching occasionally? Organize their children's things.
No, I don't mean sort out their closets. I mean actively plan what
things you will place in your child's environment. Surround your
child with the tools for creative play: blocks, puzzles, dress up
clothes, dolls, cars, trucks, toy dishes, stoves, sinks, and brooms.
Be discerning in the toys you select. Are they toys that stimulate
imaginative play? Avoid electronic toys. Have bins of art supplies,
science supplies, and craft supplies that children can access and use
as they desire. If you have room, provide a stack of planks, bricks
and boxes for outdoor construction projects. Let your children raid
the linen closet to create their own tents with the dining room
table. Help them string a clothesline to hang curtains for stage
productions. Provide plenty of music tapes and an easy to use tape
recorder. Children will use these tools to build on daily experiences
and those special occasions when they make a visit to the zoo,
museum, or children's show. The day after their big sister's car wash
you may find them outside pretending to run their own car wash for
all the tricycles in the neighborhood. A visit to the zoo might spark
the creation of their own jungle room using their stuffed animals.
Allow children plenty of time to do their own thing. Turn them loose
in the back yard to dig, poke and pry keeping an eye on them from a
distance. I promise when some momentous discovery is made they will
come charging back to you to share it. As much fun as it is spending
time doing things with your children, it is equally fun to watch them
busy at their own tasks. Surreptitiously observing your children will
give you priceless memories of inquisitive faces determining that
water runs down hill if you dump your pail out on a sloping yard.
That hands on experience and many others will later confirm the
concept of gravity when they are older.
Don't let what I have said cause you to react too far in the other
direction and avoid doing things with and for your child. Many things
that children learn are learned by observing and following another's
example. When you're baking include your children. When you're
folding laundry let them help. Suggest that your daughter get out her
ironing board and iron while you iron, too. Give your son a patch of
ground to grow his own flowers from seed, showing him how to cover
each seed with just the right amount of soil and then gently sprinkle
them with water. The daily flow of life in a household is another of
the "educational" arenas that is forgotten in today's society.
Playing house is one of a preschool child's delights. It gives them
the opportunity to practice all the tasks they have seen their
parents and older siblings do each day. Although they may not
accomplish a task as perfectly as you desire, their unabashed
enthusiasm for housework will never be greater than at this age.
Letting them help you will teach them far more than you imagine.
They'll be improving their large motor skills, learn to discern
subtle differences (this window is clean, this window has streaks),
and learn to order tasks properly. All these things will help them
later when they do finally learn to read.
Don't rush your child through their childhood because you think you
are giving them a head start on achieving great things. Academics
have their place in a child's education, but they shouldn't be
allowed to force out the other important learning that a child needs
to do. As parents we want so much for our children that sometimes we
push them when it's better to let them grow at their own pace. The
key is to relax. Relax, that's a word that you will hear throughout
your homeschooling career. Even after many years of homeschooling and
parenting I still find myself needing to be reminded to relax
occasionally. It's hard to imagine now at the outset of your journey
just how much you will miss the times when your children came
trouping out in oversized shoes and clothes to invite you to a tea
party in their room. Revel in this time. The future holds equally
wonderful treasures, but they will be different treasures.
<>Great Stuff for Kids
Green Mountain Blocks Hardwood blocks that come in various shapes.
Sold in sets for toddlers on up. Sets sell from $25.50 to $68.40. A
super set is available with 128 blocks and 12 geometric shapes for
$168.80. A four block sample is available for $2 shipping and
handling. Green Mountain Blocks, PO Box 146, Danville, VT 05828.
Phone: 802-748-6724.
Brock Magiscope Technically not a preschool item, but due to cost
something you should consider saving for. This is the most durable
and usable microscope available for children. This scope is
constructed of solid aluminum alloy and tempered brass, with no
exposed threads, knobs, gears, or screws. Focusing is simple brass on
brass friction, requiring no grease or maintenance. The entire
microscope has one moving part. It requires no lamps, cords or
batteries. It's not something you'll hand your two year old, but a
four year old could spend a lot of time using it after proper
instruction. Model #70 with 20x magnification is $159. Brock Optical
Inc. 1-800-780-9111
Scooter boards Rainbow Resource Center sells a 12' square durable
plastic scooter board with non-marring wheels. It can be used indoors
and out. Our children and many of the neighbor's children have spent
hours playing with these boards. Just $14.50 in blue or yellow. Call
888-841-3456 for a catalog.
Lauri Crepe Puzzles Lauri makes a huge variety of puzzles from very
simple puzzles with just a few pieces to large puzzles with nearly
100 pieces. We own six or seven different puzzles including a very
simple flower puzzle to an intricate castle puzzle. These puzzles can
be found at most school supply stores. Timberdoodle carries several
of the perception puzzles, a noah's ark puzzle, the fit-a-state
puzzle and two different alphabet puzzles. Smaller puzzles are just
$5.50 with larger puzzles costing more. Get a Timberdoodle catalog by
calling 360-426-0672.
World's Best Bug Jar This sturdy plastic jar has a lid with air holes
and 2x magnifying glass. Flip down the top lens for 4x magnification.
Get this bug jar for just $2.95 from Tobin's Lab. Call 800-522-4776
for a catalog.
Giant Floor Puzzles Frank Schaffer makes some really great floor
puzzles from five foot long panorama puzzles to rectangular puzzles
with Biblical themes. Farm Country General Store sells ten different
puzzles for just $12.50 each. Call 800-551-FARM for a catalog.
Art supplies: Crayons, colored pencils, colored chalk, sidewalk
chalk, construction paper, drawing paper, tempera paint, paint
brushes of varied sizes, charcoal pencils, glue, pipe cleaners, craft
sticks, tissue paper.
Science Supplies: Dishpan, plastic beakers, graduated cylinders,
magnifying glass, compass, magnets, tweezer, paper clips, pennies,
paper cups, paper plates, cotton balls, scale, balance, children's
microscope, meter stick, yard stick, ruler, modeling clay, straws,
toothpicks, balloons, string, rubber bands, sand paper, and a funnel.
Items for this box and the art box can often overlap. Use your
judgement on which items you add for different age preschoolers. Make
sure they have access to non-messy ways of playing with sand and
water. Tobin's Lab offers science supplies at good prices. Call 800-
522-4776 for a catalog.
Dress up Box: Old shirts, dresses, skirts, pants, belts, hats,
gloves, jewelry, ties, scarves and purses. You can obtain many of
these items from sorting through your own closets. For special items
like gold high heels make the rounds of garage sales one weekend.
What you might consider unbelievably tacky to wear now might be the
highlight of a dress up box. Old formals and suit jackets can be had
very cheaply at garage sales.
Copyright ©1998 Beverly S. Krueger
TreeGoddess
On Aug 3, 2004, at 1:38 PM, Wendy L Hawksley wrote:
Welcome to the list. I'm Tracy and my DH and I have two children:
Aydn is 5yo and Fiona is 3yo. When Aydn was a little guy we bought all
the Baby Einstein videos/DVDs and some of the toys. It was fun for ME
to gather them and imagine all the fun and learning that we'd have
together "some day". In hindsight, the reality was that we could have
fun every day and that he'd learn naturally just by living. I didn't
need to have an agenda for him at all! LOL We still have all the
stuff but the kids aren't really interested in it at all. I hesitate
to pass it along to friends with younger kids in case they want to also
do what I thought I *should* do with them. Did you follow that
sentence? hehehe
Anyway, the quote from you (above) I wanted to address. "we're working
on helping him grow
more independent, without pushing him" He's only 20 months, right?
He's *supposed to be* dependent on you now. He's got YEARS to learn
how to be INdependent -- right around the time that you want him to
stay little and be your little boy is the time he'll be striking out on
his own more often. Savor the cuddles, and lap time, and nursing, and
kisses, and try not to be too eager for him to not need you as much.
My eldest child is only just 5 and every time he outgrows a shirt or a
shoe I get a little melancholy and sentimental and wish there was a
switch I could throw that would keep him from getting any bigger. I
want to s t r e t c h out my time to really "mother" him. KWIM? I
don't want it to end! ;)
Hug your little boy and just enjoy him as he is today ... don't spend
too much time planning for a day that may not even pan out the way you
envisioned.
Warmly,
-Tracy-
> [ I enjoy staying home with our son, and while I don't get much freeHi, Wendy!
> time (our son
> is a very attached "need machine", but we're working on helping him
> grow more
> independent, without pushing him)
Welcome to the list. I'm Tracy and my DH and I have two children:
Aydn is 5yo and Fiona is 3yo. When Aydn was a little guy we bought all
the Baby Einstein videos/DVDs and some of the toys. It was fun for ME
to gather them and imagine all the fun and learning that we'd have
together "some day". In hindsight, the reality was that we could have
fun every day and that he'd learn naturally just by living. I didn't
need to have an agenda for him at all! LOL We still have all the
stuff but the kids aren't really interested in it at all. I hesitate
to pass it along to friends with younger kids in case they want to also
do what I thought I *should* do with them. Did you follow that
sentence? hehehe
Anyway, the quote from you (above) I wanted to address. "we're working
on helping him grow
more independent, without pushing him" He's only 20 months, right?
He's *supposed to be* dependent on you now. He's got YEARS to learn
how to be INdependent -- right around the time that you want him to
stay little and be your little boy is the time he'll be striking out on
his own more often. Savor the cuddles, and lap time, and nursing, and
kisses, and try not to be too eager for him to not need you as much.
My eldest child is only just 5 and every time he outgrows a shirt or a
shoe I get a little melancholy and sentimental and wish there was a
switch I could throw that would keep him from getting any bigger. I
want to s t r e t c h out my time to really "mother" him. KWIM? I
don't want it to end! ;)
Hug your little boy and just enjoy him as he is today ... don't spend
too much time planning for a day that may not even pan out the way you
envisioned.
Warmly,
-Tracy-
Wendy L Hawksley
Hello Everyone,
My name is Wendy and I am seeking to learn more about unschooling. We
have a son who is 20 months old, and I have begun gathering information
about homeschooling. Unschooling, in particular, seems like something
that would fit in great with our family!
I try to read to our son often and I am always looking for ways to
enhance his experience of the world around him. I am reading a book by
Baby Einstein called "Great Minds Start Little", and it offers some
wonderful ideas, which I intend to implement in our home. I think
learning starts, well, when they are babies! After all, they are
absorbing everything.
While I don't know yet if I intend to offer a structured preschool
curriculum or definitely go with unschooling, I'm thinking maybe
unschooling will be best. I have also been collecting and saving up
projects for my son (such as when you go to a restaurant, and they give
you a little coloring or activity booklet... I've been holding onto
them).
So I'm really interested in learning more about unschooling, and
particularly sharing ideas on how to nurture a preschooler's development.
Finally, about us - hubby is in the Air Force and I am a writer. I enjoy
staying home with our son, and while I don't get much free time (our son
is a very attached "need machine", but we're working on helping him grow
more independent, without pushing him), I wouldn't trade motherhood for
the world!
Looking forward to conversation,
Wendy Hawksley
Delaware
________________________________________________________________
The best thing to hit the Internet in years - Juno SpeedBand!
Surf the Web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER!
Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today!
My name is Wendy and I am seeking to learn more about unschooling. We
have a son who is 20 months old, and I have begun gathering information
about homeschooling. Unschooling, in particular, seems like something
that would fit in great with our family!
I try to read to our son often and I am always looking for ways to
enhance his experience of the world around him. I am reading a book by
Baby Einstein called "Great Minds Start Little", and it offers some
wonderful ideas, which I intend to implement in our home. I think
learning starts, well, when they are babies! After all, they are
absorbing everything.
While I don't know yet if I intend to offer a structured preschool
curriculum or definitely go with unschooling, I'm thinking maybe
unschooling will be best. I have also been collecting and saving up
projects for my son (such as when you go to a restaurant, and they give
you a little coloring or activity booklet... I've been holding onto
them).
So I'm really interested in learning more about unschooling, and
particularly sharing ideas on how to nurture a preschooler's development.
Finally, about us - hubby is in the Air Force and I am a writer. I enjoy
staying home with our son, and while I don't get much free time (our son
is a very attached "need machine", but we're working on helping him grow
more independent, without pushing him), I wouldn't trade motherhood for
the world!
Looking forward to conversation,
Wendy Hawksley
Delaware
________________________________________________________________
The best thing to hit the Internet in years - Juno SpeedBand!
Surf the Web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER!
Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today!
[email protected]
In a message dated 8/2/2004 1:49:59 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
Stormphoenix@... writes:
While I don't know yet if I intend to offer a structured preschool
curriculum or definitely go with unschooling, I'm thinking maybe
unschooling will be best. I have also been collecting and saving up
projects for my son (such as when you go to a restaurant, and they give
you a little coloring or activity booklet... I've been holding onto
them).
So I'm really interested in learning more about unschooling, and
particularly sharing ideas on how to nurture a preschooler's development.
Finally, about us - hubby is in the Air Force and I am a writer. I enjoy
staying home with our son, and while I don't get much free time (our son
is a very attached "need machine", but we're working on helping him grow
more independent, without pushing him), I wouldn't trade motherhood for
the world!<<<<
Hi, Wendy---and welcome!
You'll find all of us here a tad bit biased! <G> We'll tell you to drop the
curriculum ideas and focus on the fun!
Below is sometihing I send to unschooling inquiries that come to me in SC.
I've sent it here before. It might help you find some answers.
~Kelly
Unschooling Basics
Unschooling is trusting the child to learn what he needs to learn when he
needs to learn it. Unschooling is also sometimes called "natural learning"
and
"child-led learning" . But mostly unschooling is NOT school-at home: we do
not
try to replicate school in our houses. It's real living in the real
world---for and with a purpose. You cannot live and not learn---we're
surrounded by real opportunities every day to learn. And it's REAL learning, not
simulated as in
school. Living is learning is unschooling is living is learning is
unschooling.....
There are several good books on the inanity and insanity of schools and on
the marvels of unschooling.
The unschooling "patron saint" is John Holt. He was a school reformer in the
70's who came to realize that schools are NOT reformable. His most popular
books are How Children Fail, How Children Learn, Teach Your Own, and Learning
All the Time.
John Taylor Gatto was a NY city and NY state teacher of the year. He finally
quit and started on the speaking circuit. He seems completely behind
unschooling. His two big books are Dumbing Us Down and The Underground
History
of American Education.
Frank Smith has a great little book called The Book of Learning and
Forgetting that shows how little one learns in and remembers from school. He
pushes REAL learning---for a purpose.
Alfie Kohn's Punished by Rewards shows the total inanity of EXtrinsic
motivation (gold stars, grades, etc.) and the attributes of INtrinsic
motivation.
Grace Llewellyn's The Teenage Liberation Handbook (How to Quit School and
Get a REAL Education) is the "bible" for unschoolers. It's a great read for
teens, but parents should read it too. Be SURE not to skip the "cute little
story" at the beginning. Grace also hosts the "Not Back To School Camp" in
the early
fall for teen unschoolers---a place to meet other unschoolers and share
passions and interests.
Mary Griffith has two books, The Homeschooling Handbook and The Unschooling
Handbook. The Homeschooling Handbook has many great ideas for documenting
what's being learned; and, since that is a requirement in SC, it's very
helpful.
But The Unschooling Handbook is THE handbook for new unschoolers. In it she
gives real life examples and explanations. VERY understandable. Convinced my
husband that what I was suggesting made sense! <g>
David Albert has two: And the Skylark Sings with Me and Homeschooling and the
Voyage of Self-Discovery. Both are witty---and easy reads.
Valerie Fitzenreiter has a brand new book that I highly recommend: The
Unprocessed Child: Living Without School. It's about unschooling her
daughter,
Laurie. I give it as gifts a LOT!
Magazines:
"Life Learning Magazine"
"Growing Without Schooling", originally put out by John Holt. No longer in
production, but back issues available from "old" unschoolers and from FUNbooks.
Websites:
_www.unschooling.com_ (http://www.unschooling.com/) is THE website for
unschooling. There are other lists
that "say" they unschool; these are the radicals who KNOW what they are
talking
about. There are essays and FAQs which you should definitely read first.
Afterwards go to the message boards and read, read, READ! If you have
questions
after reading for a few weeks, then post---but most things have been
explained
before, so if you read, you'll run across the answers to most of your
questions.
The posters to pay attention to are Sandra Dodd, Joyce Fetteroll, Pam
Sorooshian, Anne Ohman, Lyle, and Mary Gold. There are other wonderful
posters, but
these are all radical unschoolers who all have great ways of expressing
themselves and getting to the nitty gritty of unschooling. They will all be at the
conference in August.
[email protected]_
(mailto:[email protected]) is a great e-list if you prefer your messages in mail form, but
the traffic is HIGH. 200-400/day on the Discussion list. Unless you're hard
core, or just prefer your lists this way, I'd recommend the message boards.
There is also [email protected]_
(mailto:[email protected]) . For beginners.
_www.SchoolsOutSupport.org_ (http://www.schoolsoutsupport.org/) is the SC
unschooling support group. Membership is
free. It has a message board and info about laws and local groups. It hosts
the unschooling conference in August.
Sandra Dodd is a radical unschooler of three children, 16, 14, & 12 (I
think). She has her own website that is chocked FULL of essays and stories
about
unschooling. It's a great place to start. _www.SandraDodd.com/unschooling_
(http://www.sandradodd.com/unschooling) She
is also the keynote speaker at the August conference.
Ned Vare & Luz Shosie have an
already-graduated-from-college-always-unschooled son. Their website is full
of
short essays on unschooling. They have a
newsletter as well.
_http://borntoexplore.org/unschool/_ (http://borntoexplore.org/unschool/)
Billy and Nancy Greer own FUN-books---a mail-order catalogue for unschoolish
books and games. _www.FUN-Books.com_ (http://www.fun-books.com/)
And the conference: Here's the flyer:
School's Out Support's Live & Learn Unschooling Conference
August 22-24 in Columbia, SC at the Holiday Inn-Coliseum.
<<<<THIS YEAR IN PEABODY, MA AUGUST 27-29. 2004. Go To
_www.LiveandLearnConference.org_ (http://www.liveandlearnconference.org/) <<<<<<<
This conference is a must attend! Meet other families on the same journey,
listen to inspiring speakers, and discover the art of unschooling in
beautiful
downtown Columbia, SC. This is a non-age-discriminatory conference: anyone
can
participate in any Funshop or Presentation. Bring the whole family for a
joy-filled weekend!
School's Out Support (SOS) is a volunteer-driven, statewide organization
whose mission is to support and promote unschooling, provide information,
monitor and influence legislation, offer opportunities for families to get
together,
and empower families to make the choices that respect the rights, needs and
aspirations of their children. SOS welcomes anyone with an interest in
unschooling.
Since its inception in April 2001, SOS has supported families that have made
the decision to unschool as they face difficult questions and challenges.
These families may wonder about socialization, the legal issues surrounding
unschooling, accountability associations, or integration of John Holt's
educational philosophy into their everyday lives. Some families may doubt
their abilities, feel confused and ask themselves, "Can I really do this?". SOS
encourages
parents to trust themselves and their children to make good decisions and
empowers them to find the support and information they need.
Our Presenters
For our Keynote presenter we are very fortunate to have the popular
contributor to Unschooling.com message boards, its e-list, AlwaysLearning,
and
regular columnist in HEM---unschooling guru, Sandra Dodd. A former middle
school
teacher, Sandra has talked countless families into running away from school
and
jumping into learning for fun. Her motto: "Everything Counts!"
We're also delighted to have Anne Ohman, from the Unschooling.com message
boards, back for a return engagement. She "stole the show" last year with her
debut and is now in demand at conferences all over the country. AnneO's
passionate, gentle approach to life and learning continues to inspire
families
daily.
Pam Sorooshian is well known in "all the unschooling
circles"---Unschooling.com's message boards, the unschoolingdotcom e-list,
AlwaysLearning, NHEN, and
the California boards. When she's not teaching college level economics and
statistics, Pam's an unschooling mom of three teenagers: she's "been there,
done
that"---and will surely have a few answers for you!
Mary Gold is better known as "Zenmomma"--and you can find her wherever
unschooling is a topic! Mary "preaches" peace and trust and joy---and the
pure
delight of unschooling her children. Her encouraging words are music to a
stressed
parent's ears---and she always leaves you knowing that "Life is good!"
Jim Weiss' storytelling has captivated and delighted both adults and children
with his original stories and retellings of classics. To hear him tell a
story is to be swept into another world. Jim's award-winning tapes are
favorites
in many homes---including ours!
For more information, contact Kelly Lovejoy @ (803) 776 4849 or visit our
website-
_http://www.schoolsoutsupport.org/2003conference.html_
(http://www.schoolsoutsupport.org/2003conference.html)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------
You may also all me anytime to ask questions or discuss concerns. I truly
believe that school is harmful---physically, emotionally, intellectually,
and
spiritually. It's a bad place to spend a childhood.
~Kelly Lovejoy (803) 776-4849
_kbcdlovejo@..._ (mailto:kbcdlovejo@...)
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Stormphoenix@... writes:
While I don't know yet if I intend to offer a structured preschool
curriculum or definitely go with unschooling, I'm thinking maybe
unschooling will be best. I have also been collecting and saving up
projects for my son (such as when you go to a restaurant, and they give
you a little coloring or activity booklet... I've been holding onto
them).
So I'm really interested in learning more about unschooling, and
particularly sharing ideas on how to nurture a preschooler's development.
Finally, about us - hubby is in the Air Force and I am a writer. I enjoy
staying home with our son, and while I don't get much free time (our son
is a very attached "need machine", but we're working on helping him grow
more independent, without pushing him), I wouldn't trade motherhood for
the world!<<<<
Hi, Wendy---and welcome!
You'll find all of us here a tad bit biased! <G> We'll tell you to drop the
curriculum ideas and focus on the fun!
Below is sometihing I send to unschooling inquiries that come to me in SC.
I've sent it here before. It might help you find some answers.
~Kelly
Unschooling Basics
Unschooling is trusting the child to learn what he needs to learn when he
needs to learn it. Unschooling is also sometimes called "natural learning"
and
"child-led learning" . But mostly unschooling is NOT school-at home: we do
not
try to replicate school in our houses. It's real living in the real
world---for and with a purpose. You cannot live and not learn---we're
surrounded by real opportunities every day to learn. And it's REAL learning, not
simulated as in
school. Living is learning is unschooling is living is learning is
unschooling.....
There are several good books on the inanity and insanity of schools and on
the marvels of unschooling.
The unschooling "patron saint" is John Holt. He was a school reformer in the
70's who came to realize that schools are NOT reformable. His most popular
books are How Children Fail, How Children Learn, Teach Your Own, and Learning
All the Time.
John Taylor Gatto was a NY city and NY state teacher of the year. He finally
quit and started on the speaking circuit. He seems completely behind
unschooling. His two big books are Dumbing Us Down and The Underground
History
of American Education.
Frank Smith has a great little book called The Book of Learning and
Forgetting that shows how little one learns in and remembers from school. He
pushes REAL learning---for a purpose.
Alfie Kohn's Punished by Rewards shows the total inanity of EXtrinsic
motivation (gold stars, grades, etc.) and the attributes of INtrinsic
motivation.
Grace Llewellyn's The Teenage Liberation Handbook (How to Quit School and
Get a REAL Education) is the "bible" for unschoolers. It's a great read for
teens, but parents should read it too. Be SURE not to skip the "cute little
story" at the beginning. Grace also hosts the "Not Back To School Camp" in
the early
fall for teen unschoolers---a place to meet other unschoolers and share
passions and interests.
Mary Griffith has two books, The Homeschooling Handbook and The Unschooling
Handbook. The Homeschooling Handbook has many great ideas for documenting
what's being learned; and, since that is a requirement in SC, it's very
helpful.
But The Unschooling Handbook is THE handbook for new unschoolers. In it she
gives real life examples and explanations. VERY understandable. Convinced my
husband that what I was suggesting made sense! <g>
David Albert has two: And the Skylark Sings with Me and Homeschooling and the
Voyage of Self-Discovery. Both are witty---and easy reads.
Valerie Fitzenreiter has a brand new book that I highly recommend: The
Unprocessed Child: Living Without School. It's about unschooling her
daughter,
Laurie. I give it as gifts a LOT!
Magazines:
"Life Learning Magazine"
"Growing Without Schooling", originally put out by John Holt. No longer in
production, but back issues available from "old" unschoolers and from FUNbooks.
Websites:
_www.unschooling.com_ (http://www.unschooling.com/) is THE website for
unschooling. There are other lists
that "say" they unschool; these are the radicals who KNOW what they are
talking
about. There are essays and FAQs which you should definitely read first.
Afterwards go to the message boards and read, read, READ! If you have
questions
after reading for a few weeks, then post---but most things have been
explained
before, so if you read, you'll run across the answers to most of your
questions.
The posters to pay attention to are Sandra Dodd, Joyce Fetteroll, Pam
Sorooshian, Anne Ohman, Lyle, and Mary Gold. There are other wonderful
posters, but
these are all radical unschoolers who all have great ways of expressing
themselves and getting to the nitty gritty of unschooling. They will all be at the
conference in August.
[email protected]_
(mailto:[email protected]) is a great e-list if you prefer your messages in mail form, but
the traffic is HIGH. 200-400/day on the Discussion list. Unless you're hard
core, or just prefer your lists this way, I'd recommend the message boards.
There is also [email protected]_
(mailto:[email protected]) . For beginners.
_www.SchoolsOutSupport.org_ (http://www.schoolsoutsupport.org/) is the SC
unschooling support group. Membership is
free. It has a message board and info about laws and local groups. It hosts
the unschooling conference in August.
Sandra Dodd is a radical unschooler of three children, 16, 14, & 12 (I
think). She has her own website that is chocked FULL of essays and stories
about
unschooling. It's a great place to start. _www.SandraDodd.com/unschooling_
(http://www.sandradodd.com/unschooling) She
is also the keynote speaker at the August conference.
Ned Vare & Luz Shosie have an
already-graduated-from-college-always-unschooled son. Their website is full
of
short essays on unschooling. They have a
newsletter as well.
_http://borntoexplore.org/unschool/_ (http://borntoexplore.org/unschool/)
Billy and Nancy Greer own FUN-books---a mail-order catalogue for unschoolish
books and games. _www.FUN-Books.com_ (http://www.fun-books.com/)
And the conference: Here's the flyer:
School's Out Support's Live & Learn Unschooling Conference
August 22-24 in Columbia, SC at the Holiday Inn-Coliseum.
<<<<THIS YEAR IN PEABODY, MA AUGUST 27-29. 2004. Go To
_www.LiveandLearnConference.org_ (http://www.liveandlearnconference.org/) <<<<<<<
This conference is a must attend! Meet other families on the same journey,
listen to inspiring speakers, and discover the art of unschooling in
beautiful
downtown Columbia, SC. This is a non-age-discriminatory conference: anyone
can
participate in any Funshop or Presentation. Bring the whole family for a
joy-filled weekend!
School's Out Support (SOS) is a volunteer-driven, statewide organization
whose mission is to support and promote unschooling, provide information,
monitor and influence legislation, offer opportunities for families to get
together,
and empower families to make the choices that respect the rights, needs and
aspirations of their children. SOS welcomes anyone with an interest in
unschooling.
Since its inception in April 2001, SOS has supported families that have made
the decision to unschool as they face difficult questions and challenges.
These families may wonder about socialization, the legal issues surrounding
unschooling, accountability associations, or integration of John Holt's
educational philosophy into their everyday lives. Some families may doubt
their abilities, feel confused and ask themselves, "Can I really do this?". SOS
encourages
parents to trust themselves and their children to make good decisions and
empowers them to find the support and information they need.
Our Presenters
For our Keynote presenter we are very fortunate to have the popular
contributor to Unschooling.com message boards, its e-list, AlwaysLearning,
and
regular columnist in HEM---unschooling guru, Sandra Dodd. A former middle
school
teacher, Sandra has talked countless families into running away from school
and
jumping into learning for fun. Her motto: "Everything Counts!"
We're also delighted to have Anne Ohman, from the Unschooling.com message
boards, back for a return engagement. She "stole the show" last year with her
debut and is now in demand at conferences all over the country. AnneO's
passionate, gentle approach to life and learning continues to inspire
families
daily.
Pam Sorooshian is well known in "all the unschooling
circles"---Unschooling.com's message boards, the unschoolingdotcom e-list,
AlwaysLearning, NHEN, and
the California boards. When she's not teaching college level economics and
statistics, Pam's an unschooling mom of three teenagers: she's "been there,
done
that"---and will surely have a few answers for you!
Mary Gold is better known as "Zenmomma"--and you can find her wherever
unschooling is a topic! Mary "preaches" peace and trust and joy---and the
pure
delight of unschooling her children. Her encouraging words are music to a
stressed
parent's ears---and she always leaves you knowing that "Life is good!"
Jim Weiss' storytelling has captivated and delighted both adults and children
with his original stories and retellings of classics. To hear him tell a
story is to be swept into another world. Jim's award-winning tapes are
favorites
in many homes---including ours!
For more information, contact Kelly Lovejoy @ (803) 776 4849 or visit our
website-
_http://www.schoolsoutsupport.org/2003conference.html_
(http://www.schoolsoutsupport.org/2003conference.html)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------
You may also all me anytime to ask questions or discuss concerns. I truly
believe that school is harmful---physically, emotionally, intellectually,
and
spiritually. It's a bad place to spend a childhood.
~Kelly Lovejoy (803) 776-4849
_kbcdlovejo@..._ (mailto:kbcdlovejo@...)
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Rose
I know this is kind of OT from specifically unschooling, but we all
read and lots of people like to share what they read so I've started a
google group sharing links to websites about reading and reviews of
books that members have read. I've just started it so I have 0
members, but if anyone is interested in joining you can check it out here:
http://groups.google.com/group/book-reader-newsletter?hl=en
I hope that is the right link anyway.
I know I haven't posted on this board for eons but I have been so busy
trying to get my website off the ground that I just haven't had time
for anything else! I am also discovering all the wonderful things that
google has to offer for FREE! If you have a web-based business and
want to know more about google stuff email me.
Thanks for looking at my group!
Rose
read and lots of people like to share what they read so I've started a
google group sharing links to websites about reading and reviews of
books that members have read. I've just started it so I have 0
members, but if anyone is interested in joining you can check it out here:
http://groups.google.com/group/book-reader-newsletter?hl=en
I hope that is the right link anyway.
I know I haven't posted on this board for eons but I have been so busy
trying to get my website off the ground that I just haven't had time
for anything else! I am also discovering all the wonderful things that
google has to offer for FREE! If you have a web-based business and
want to know more about google stuff email me.
Thanks for looking at my group!
Rose