donabak

Hello List:

I am writing from Alberta, Canada and I am new to this forum and to
home schooling. I took my children out of the formal school system
about two months ago.

I have thought about home schooling for several years, but didn't
realize that there were so many options for home education. My
initial belief was that home schooling was basically "school at home".

In September, I attended a workshop put on by a woman who has been
unschooling her children for several years. I realized immediately
that this format was something that I could commit to and would suit
my children (especially my 12 year old son).

Something that came up during the workshop was the notion that the
children need to go through a period of "uninstitutionalizing" before
they would reconnect with their natural curiosity and motivation to
learn. In this time (which my husband and I were told could last from
a couple of weeks to as long as six months) it was advised that we
not make any suggestions for the children to do specific learning.
Rather, we allow the children to develop their own interest in
whatever it is that they are drawn to. (Having read most of John
Holt's books I recognize this as his philosophy)

What my question is: during this period of uninstitutionalizing, do I
not suggest they do any type of learning?? (ie. I do not say ...
today, you need to read for 1 hour - you pick the book, magazine,
website or whatever) Would doing this be directing their learning or
is this structure important?

My seven year old daughter seems quite motivated to learn math right
now. She asked me for some math material that would help her practise
multiplication and division. I'm going out this morning to get her a
book! My 12 year old son, on the other hand, seems quite content with
his drama, dance and singing lessons and spends a lot of time on the
computer installing and playing life simulation games. He is also
taking 2 1/2 hours/week of career technology studies (home ec. &
shop) at his former junior high school. He tells me he isn't
interested in math or science at this time.

It would help me to calm myself, if I knew that my experience with my
kids is within the realm of what is "normal". Thank you for any
opinions and assistance you can lend me.

Dona Baker
Alberta, Canada

Sarah Carothers

Dear Dona,
You are definitely in the 'normal' circle with your kids.
You asked :
<What my question is: during this period of uninstitutionalizing, do I
not suggest they do any type of learning?? (ie. I do not say ...
today, you need to read for 1 hour - you pick the book, magazine,
website or whatever) Would doing this be directing their learning or
is this structure important?
>

IMO I would *not* suggest any thing whatsoever! That would defeat your whole
de-schooling process. Leave them *alone* to do as they choose. If dd is
interested in math, as you have indicated, get her the resources and let
*her* do the stuff. *you* stay out of the way unless she has questions.
I, along with lots of other folks on this list can assure you that this way
of living does, indeed work!! :-0
Sarah



Sarah Carothers
~oo~
puddles@...

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Diane

I would not say you need to read for one hour, but *suggesting* various stuff
would be great--like "I heard there's a new display at the science
museum--wanna go?" And then wait for yes *or* no.

What you suggest below--requiring stuff--would not be considered unschooling.

:-) Diane

donabak wrote:

> What my question is: during this period of uninstitutionalizing, do I
> not suggest they do any type of learning?? (ie. I do not say ...
> today, you need to read for 1 hour - you pick the book, magazine,
> website or whatever) Would doing this be directing their learning or
> is this structure important?