advice for preparation?
cthiax
As I said in my intro, we're planning to unschool Sophia from the beginning.
She's seven months right now, and I'm constantly concerned that her
environment contains enough interesting things, and trying not to worry
about her development and so on (she's my first). One of the places I'm
trying to put that energy is into "preparing" for unschooling.
I say "preparing" because how can you prepare for a spontaneous process? ;)
But I am looking for advice from others, from your experiences, on what
kinds of things to buy/save/recycle/craft/scrounge now so they'll be around
if she wants them later on.
thanks!
--cthiax
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
She's seven months right now, and I'm constantly concerned that her
environment contains enough interesting things, and trying not to worry
about her development and so on (she's my first). One of the places I'm
trying to put that energy is into "preparing" for unschooling.
I say "preparing" because how can you prepare for a spontaneous process? ;)
But I am looking for advice from others, from your experiences, on what
kinds of things to buy/save/recycle/craft/scrounge now so they'll be around
if she wants them later on.
thanks!
--cthiax
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
>>But I am looking for advice from others, from your experiences, on whatkinds of things to buy/save/recycle/craft/scrounge now so they'll be around
if she wants them later on.>>
I wouldn't worry so much about later. The best preparation for unschooling is to be there with your beautiful girl NOW. Unschooling is really all about the NOW. It's about being present with our children and helping them explore their world.
Since Sophia is so young, your job is to stay in her world and keep her in yours. Talk to her. Sing to her. Point things out. Carry her around. Let her see what you're doing. Let her explore under your supervision. Try to frame her world so that yes can be the default answer and no's can be kept to a minimum.
As she grows, it will become more obvious what things she is drawn to. You can have the basics on hand and that should do fine. Have plenty of things to touch, smell, mouth, taste, listen to, climb on, crawl under, etc. Our kids enjoyed books and music from a very young age. They liked bubbles and play-doh and sand and Barney and on and on.
There's no magic unschooling cupboard that will have all the things your child will want or need. That's the beauty of it. Each child is different. Enjoy her today. When she needs something later on, it will be easy enough to figure out and accomodate at that time.
--
~Mary, unschooling mom to Conor (16) and Casey (11)
"Just today I'm going to be utterly present for my children, I'm going to be in their world (not just doing my own thing while they do theirs), I'm going to really hear them, I'm going to prepare myself to be present starting right now."
~Ren Allen
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Mother Earth (Tyra)
I recommend that you prepare by you becoming familiar with unschooling and hearing and seeing it in practice. At your daughter's age, I don't think about stimulating the environment or helping them to learn ABC's in the future or any of that. My main goal and objective is to let them be and explore their world. For many years to come simple things will be more than enough for her to learn what babies and young children learn.
What has helped me in understanding the world of the young child is reading works by John Holt, I think he coined the term unschooling and definitely has championed its cause. He helped me understand how children learn and how children fail. If all you do is read posts from this group then you will be miles ahead as the years pass. There is also www.unschooling.com and the Sandra Dodd and Living and Learning Conference websites that can provide a plethora of information that will support you in your decision to unschool.
Trust is key to this process. Trust you and your baby girl and you will not go wrong. As a matter of fact, you will probably grow tenfold as a result and end up with an even more amazing relationship with your daughter.
Much Love
Tyra
What has helped me in understanding the world of the young child is reading works by John Holt, I think he coined the term unschooling and definitely has championed its cause. He helped me understand how children learn and how children fail. If all you do is read posts from this group then you will be miles ahead as the years pass. There is also www.unschooling.com and the Sandra Dodd and Living and Learning Conference websites that can provide a plethora of information that will support you in your decision to unschool.
Trust is key to this process. Trust you and your baby girl and you will not go wrong. As a matter of fact, you will probably grow tenfold as a result and end up with an even more amazing relationship with your daughter.
Much Love
Tyra
----- Original Message -----
From: cthiax
To: [email protected]
Sent: Sunday, January 22, 2006 2:10 PM
Subject: [unschoolingbasics] advice for preparation?
As I said in my intro, we're planning to unschool Sophia from the beginning.
She's seven months right now, and I'm constantly concerned that her
environment contains enough interesting things, and trying not to worry
about her development and so on (she's my first). One of the places I'm
trying to put that energy is into "preparing" for unschooling.
I say "preparing" because how can you prepare for a spontaneous process? ;)
But I am looking for advice from others, from your experiences, on what
kinds of things to buy/save/recycle/craft/scrounge now so they'll be around
if she wants them later on.
thanks!
--cthiax
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Joyce Fetteroll
On Jan 22, 2006, at 3:10 PM, cthiax wrote:
thing was I put a box under the sink and just tossed in any little
odd bits of plastic from packaging or metal or corks or freebie CDs
or whatever. They came in handy for freeform sculptures and props.
Though they didn't get used as much as I'd expected since Kathryn
doesn't like to use things up (must be a genetic thing ;-) it's still
the thing I'd do again.
Cut up used wrapping paper into sheets
Magazines with interesting pictures
My daughter ended up handling the collecting part pretty well
herself! ;-)
Joyce
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> But I am looking for advice from others, from your experiences, onI saved a lot of stuff since I'm a pack rat ;-) But probably the best
> what
> kinds of things to buy/save/recycle/craft/scrounge now so they'll
> be around
> if she wants them later on.
thing was I put a box under the sink and just tossed in any little
odd bits of plastic from packaging or metal or corks or freebie CDs
or whatever. They came in handy for freeform sculptures and props.
Though they didn't get used as much as I'd expected since Kathryn
doesn't like to use things up (must be a genetic thing ;-) it's still
the thing I'd do again.
Cut up used wrapping paper into sheets
Magazines with interesting pictures
My daughter ended up handling the collecting part pretty well
herself! ;-)
Joyce
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
S Drag-teine
You sound like me - search for developmental, open ended toys that will last
for at least two years and things that you can buy add-ons. Right now a ball
can make a long term toy but others you can look for are sorting toys, big
blocks. My daughter one still loves her crib toys - an aquarium dealy that
plays music and ocean sounds and bubbles, a kick/push one that makes a bunch
of noise and lights up and the old fashioned push this, pull that, look in
the mirror. Which one does she like the best? Well, it depends on the day
but usually the old fashioned one. We now have the attached to a bar stool
like a four way play center.
Shannon
~>|<~.~>|<~.~>|<~.~>|<~.~>|<~.~>|<~
I'm glad we switched!
We are now safer and healthier, using toxic-free products and saving money,
too.
Call (212) 990-6214 for a 10 minute prerecorded presentation or contact me
directly.
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of cthiax
Sent: Sunday, January 22, 2006 3:11 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [unschoolingbasics] advice for preparation?
As I said in my intro, we're planning to unschool Sophia from the beginning.
She's seven months right now, and I'm constantly concerned that her
environment contains enough interesting things, and trying not to worry
about her development and so on (she's my first). One of the places I'm
trying to put that energy is into "preparing" for unschooling.
I say "preparing" because how can you prepare for a spontaneous process? ;)
But I am looking for advice from others, from your experiences, on what
kinds of things to buy/save/recycle/craft/scrounge now so they'll be around
if she wants them later on.
thanks!
--cthiax
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Yahoo! Groups Links
for at least two years and things that you can buy add-ons. Right now a ball
can make a long term toy but others you can look for are sorting toys, big
blocks. My daughter one still loves her crib toys - an aquarium dealy that
plays music and ocean sounds and bubbles, a kick/push one that makes a bunch
of noise and lights up and the old fashioned push this, pull that, look in
the mirror. Which one does she like the best? Well, it depends on the day
but usually the old fashioned one. We now have the attached to a bar stool
like a four way play center.
Shannon
~>|<~.~>|<~.~>|<~.~>|<~.~>|<~.~>|<~
I'm glad we switched!
We are now safer and healthier, using toxic-free products and saving money,
too.
Call (212) 990-6214 for a 10 minute prerecorded presentation or contact me
directly.
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of cthiax
Sent: Sunday, January 22, 2006 3:11 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [unschoolingbasics] advice for preparation?
As I said in my intro, we're planning to unschool Sophia from the beginning.
She's seven months right now, and I'm constantly concerned that her
environment contains enough interesting things, and trying not to worry
about her development and so on (she's my first). One of the places I'm
trying to put that energy is into "preparing" for unschooling.
I say "preparing" because how can you prepare for a spontaneous process? ;)
But I am looking for advice from others, from your experiences, on what
kinds of things to buy/save/recycle/craft/scrounge now so they'll be around
if she wants them later on.
thanks!
--cthiax
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Yahoo! Groups Links
S Drag-teine
"Enjoy her today."
That is great! I love that and I am always telling people that. Enjoy your
kids today. Everything they are and what they know is everything they need
to be the person they are today good or bad enjoy it because tomorrow they
will be a different person.
Shannon
~>|<~.~>|<~.~>|<~.~>|<~.~>|<~.~>|<~
I'm glad we switched!
We are now safer and healthier, using toxic-free products and saving money,
too.
Call (212) 990-6214 for a 10 minute prerecorded presentation or contact me
directly.
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of zenmomma@...
Sent: Sunday, January 22, 2006 9:13 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] advice for preparation?
if she wants them later on.>>
I wouldn't worry so much about later. The best preparation for unschooling
is to be there with your beautiful girl NOW. Unschooling is really all about
the NOW. It's about being present with our children and helping them explore
their world.
Since Sophia is so young, your job is to stay in her world and keep her in
yours. Talk to her. Sing to her. Point things out. Carry her around. Let her
see what you're doing. Let her explore under your supervision. Try to frame
her world so that yes can be the default answer and no's can be kept to a
minimum.
As she grows, it will become more obvious what things she is drawn to. You
can have the basics on hand and that should do fine. Have plenty of things
to touch, smell, mouth, taste, listen to, climb on, crawl under, etc. Our
kids enjoyed books and music from a very young age. They liked bubbles and
play-doh and sand and Barney and on and on.
There's no magic unschooling cupboard that will have all the things your
child will want or need. That's the beauty of it. Each child is different.
Enjoy her today. When she needs something later on, it will be easy enough
to figure out and accomodate at that time.
--
~Mary, unschooling mom to Conor (16) and Casey (11)
"Just today I'm going to be utterly present for my children, I'm going to be
in their world (not just doing my own thing while they do theirs), I'm going
to really hear them, I'm going to prepare myself to be present starting
right now."
~Ren Allen
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Yahoo! Groups Links
That is great! I love that and I am always telling people that. Enjoy your
kids today. Everything they are and what they know is everything they need
to be the person they are today good or bad enjoy it because tomorrow they
will be a different person.
Shannon
~>|<~.~>|<~.~>|<~.~>|<~.~>|<~.~>|<~
I'm glad we switched!
We are now safer and healthier, using toxic-free products and saving money,
too.
Call (212) 990-6214 for a 10 minute prerecorded presentation or contact me
directly.
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of zenmomma@...
Sent: Sunday, January 22, 2006 9:13 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] advice for preparation?
>>But I am looking for advice from others, from your experiences, on whatkinds of things to buy/save/recycle/craft/scrounge now so they'll be around
if she wants them later on.>>
I wouldn't worry so much about later. The best preparation for unschooling
is to be there with your beautiful girl NOW. Unschooling is really all about
the NOW. It's about being present with our children and helping them explore
their world.
Since Sophia is so young, your job is to stay in her world and keep her in
yours. Talk to her. Sing to her. Point things out. Carry her around. Let her
see what you're doing. Let her explore under your supervision. Try to frame
her world so that yes can be the default answer and no's can be kept to a
minimum.
As she grows, it will become more obvious what things she is drawn to. You
can have the basics on hand and that should do fine. Have plenty of things
to touch, smell, mouth, taste, listen to, climb on, crawl under, etc. Our
kids enjoyed books and music from a very young age. They liked bubbles and
play-doh and sand and Barney and on and on.
There's no magic unschooling cupboard that will have all the things your
child will want or need. That's the beauty of it. Each child is different.
Enjoy her today. When she needs something later on, it will be easy enough
to figure out and accomodate at that time.
--
~Mary, unschooling mom to Conor (16) and Casey (11)
"Just today I'm going to be utterly present for my children, I'm going to be
in their world (not just doing my own thing while they do theirs), I'm going
to really hear them, I'm going to prepare myself to be present starting
right now."
~Ren Allen
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Yahoo! Groups Links
[email protected]
I wish I had a better library. We move frequently so it probably won't be
much of a consideration for us anyway. I have a friend that has gotten really
neat old books from thrift shops. Kids picture encyclopedias and reference
books, atlases, books of classic art are relatively expensive and might make
a good thing to collect gradually.
Musical instruments might be good. A few years ago, I bought a digital
piano. It is an inexpensive model but has a couple of neat features. My kids
love to play around and every single visiting child has been drawn to it.
You could save up for memberships to zoos and museums in your area.
Dress up clothes, esp. thrift shop nifty finds might be fun.
Have fun!
Leslie in SC
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
much of a consideration for us anyway. I have a friend that has gotten really
neat old books from thrift shops. Kids picture encyclopedias and reference
books, atlases, books of classic art are relatively expensive and might make
a good thing to collect gradually.
Musical instruments might be good. A few years ago, I bought a digital
piano. It is an inexpensive model but has a couple of neat features. My kids
love to play around and every single visiting child has been drawn to it.
You could save up for memberships to zoos and museums in your area.
Dress up clothes, esp. thrift shop nifty finds might be fun.
Have fun!
Leslie in SC
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
O. Kay Mardesich
I just purchased a guitar and a flute on ebay. The guitar cost me $30.00 w/shipping and the flute (wooden from Peru) cost me $15.00. Last year we got a electric keyboard. We have been having so much fun playing the instruments. I'm thinking about getting a few more instruments from ebay. My dd loves music and has played the piano for 6 yrs.
I go to library sales, I can get books for about a $1.00 each.
Kay
Leslie530@... wrote:
I wish I had a better library. We move frequently so it probably won't be
much of a consideration for us anyway. I have a friend that has gotten really
neat old books from thrift shops. Kids picture encyclopedias and reference
books, atlases, books of classic art are relatively expensive and might make
a good thing to collect gradually.
Musical instruments might be good. A few years ago, I bought a digital
piano. It is an inexpensive model but has a couple of neat features. My kids
love to play around and every single visiting child has been drawn to it.
You could save up for memberships to zoos and museums in your area.
Dress up clothes, esp. thrift shop nifty finds might be fun.
Have fun!
Leslie in SC
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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---------------------------------
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
I go to library sales, I can get books for about a $1.00 each.
Kay
Leslie530@... wrote:
I wish I had a better library. We move frequently so it probably won't be
much of a consideration for us anyway. I have a friend that has gotten really
neat old books from thrift shops. Kids picture encyclopedias and reference
books, atlases, books of classic art are relatively expensive and might make
a good thing to collect gradually.
Musical instruments might be good. A few years ago, I bought a digital
piano. It is an inexpensive model but has a couple of neat features. My kids
love to play around and every single visiting child has been drawn to it.
You could save up for memberships to zoos and museums in your area.
Dress up clothes, esp. thrift shop nifty finds might be fun.
Have fun!
Leslie in SC
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
SPONSORED LINKS
Secondary school education Graduate school education Home school education Graduate school education online High school education Chicago school education
---------------------------------
YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS
Visit your group "unschoolingbasics" on the web.
To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[email protected]
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
---------------------------------
Kay
http://www.freewebs.com/kiwiandkay
---------------------------------
Yahoo! Photos Showcase holiday pictures in hardcover
Photo Books. You design it and well bind it!
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Ren Allen
"I'm thinking about getting a few more instruments from ebay."
Try an ocarina from songbird ocarinas. They're really cool and have a
nice sound. Or check ebay...they've had the sweet potato ocarinas in
the past...you can play the Zelda songs that way.
Ren
learninginfreedom.com
Try an ocarina from songbird ocarinas. They're really cool and have a
nice sound. Or check ebay...they've had the sweet potato ocarinas in
the past...you can play the Zelda songs that way.
Ren
learninginfreedom.com