Cathy Gardner

I just wanted to share this with the list because (I think) it's what unschooling is all about. My dd (4) has gone to daycare and then preschool since she was 11 months. This past year, I was started to stress because many of her friends could count farther than she could - many more could write their names and say their alphabets while she had absolutely NO interest.

Then I found the concept of unschooling and this list.

I reluctantly let go of my "teacherness" and just let her alone. Over the weeks, she started borrowing my pens and asking how you make certain letters. My husband and I would just describe their shapes (she never let us write it for her - very independent). This morning I watched her write her name. Misspelled? Yup - a little. But anyone could have figured it out. I could just hardly belive it. She's taught herself to write this summer! And more importantly, she LOVES to write. She makes "words" everywhere (including the wall in the hall...with a Sharpie...ouch!). Yesterday, she picked up the booklet from one of her computer games, announced it was her diary spent the day "writing in her diary". (I journal, which she's copying I'm sure.)

Isn't this what it's all about?

Cathy



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