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I have been getting a sensation that there was something about the Holt
discussion on definitions of unschooling that I was really uncomfortable
with. I just realized what it is. John Holt was a terrific advocate for
unschooling and wrote some great books, but ultimately I don't look to his
work as an authority on what unschooling is. It seems to me that focusing on
what John did or did not say in his works as a mantra or dogma we should
follow is giving away our own power. I may be fumbling my words here. . . but
let me try again. I have read probably just about everything written on
unschooling. .. from a variety of authors. I have participated in many
discussions in real life and online about unschooling. John's words and books
have great value but so do many other sources. To rely too heavily on what he
said or didn't say seems to fly in the face of what he himself would
advocate. The simplest definition would be the best. I like Lynda's idea of
asking the young people. Because we have such a tremendous influence on them
as parents, we will probably find some of our words coming back at us in ways
we never thought of saying them. I think most of us would probably agree that
individual(child) led learning is unschooling in its purest or simplest form.
Anthing beyond that is individuals putting their own interpretation of what
that might look like in their own family. Anyway, just some ramblings while I
can't sleep. I would be anxious to hear what all of the other young people in
your families would say to the question of "what does unschooling mean to
you"?

Living in Abundance
Mary

Lara Nabours

Living in Abundance Mary asked:

>I would be anxious to hear what all of the other young people in
your families would say to the question of "what does unschooling mean to
you"?<



I walked into the dining room, where the three young people in our family were busy illustrating and cutting out all sorts of different puzzles they created...and I asked them "what does unschooling mean to you?"

Reply: "Not DOING school! An unleashing...like when you take a leash off a dog...we're FREE!"

Even the youngest person said,"FWEE!!!" and giggled. ;-)



Lara Nabours
"We could learn a lot from crayons...some are sharp, some are dull, some are pretty, some have weird names, and they are all different colors, but they all have to learn to live in the same box."




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