Alan & Brenda Leonard

> I personally think you can unschool from birth, only because unschooling to
> me means a lot more than just not doing school. Maybe it's a new term I
> need, but that's what I and other unschoolers get out of it. More than just
> educational needs. Most unschoolers say it's a lifestyle choice and that
> definitely starts at birth with children.

Mary, I think you're right about needing a new term. I *do* think that
people who unschool from birth do some things (many things!) differently
than folks who are getting their children "ready to learn" for school.

But I also understand the point that unschooling or homeschooling really
starts from the time your child doesn't go to kindergarten. It's still
socially acceptable to stay home with your kids. It's considered a bit odd,
but tolerated, to not send them to preschool. It doesn't much bother people
that a child 4 years old does what they like, when they like to, at least
while at home.

But once your children pass that magical age of 5, it's very different than
staying home with your little ones. Most people know about homeschooling
these days, in my experience. And they have a very clear image what that
looks like. But they act like you've lost your mind when you try to
describe unschooling, when the answer to, "What curriculum do you use" is
none, etc.

The pressure to perform and conform begins with school, and that's when most
people feel they've really stepped out of the mainstream. So maybe a new
word will surface someday for those pre-School unschooling-but-not-quite
years.

brenda

Kelli Traaseth

Again, it seems that all of society wants to make labels for everyone--unschoolers, homeschoolers, schoolers, radical unschoolers, and so on.
I get sick of that!
Kelli

Alan & Brenda Leonard <abtleo@...> wrote:
> I personally think you can unschool from birth, only because unschooling to
> me means a lot more than just not doing school. Maybe it's a new term I
> need, but that's what I and other unschoolers get out of it. More than just
> educational needs. Most unschoolers say it's a lifestyle choice and that
> definitely starts at birth with children.

Mary, I think you're right about needing a new term. I *do* think that
people who unschool from birth do some things (many things!) differently
than folks who are getting their children "ready to learn" for school.

But I also understand the point that unschooling or homeschooling really
starts from the time your child doesn't go to kindergarten. It's still
socially acceptable to stay home with your kids. It's considered a bit odd,
but tolerated, to not send them to preschool. It doesn't much bother people
that a child 4 years old does what they like, when they like to, at least
while at home.

But once your children pass that magical age of 5, it's very different than
staying home with your little ones. Most people know about homeschooling
these days, in my experience. And they have a very clear image what that
looks like. But they act like you've lost your mind when you try to
describe unschooling, when the answer to, "What curriculum do you use" is
none, etc.

The pressure to perform and conform begins with school, and that's when most
people feel they've really stepped out of the mainstream. So maybe a new
word will surface someday for those pre-School unschooling-but-not-quite
years.

brenda


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

Mary Bianco

>From: Alan & Brenda Leonard <abtleo@...>

<<The pressure to perform and conform begins with school, and that's when
most
people feel they've really stepped out of the mainstream. So maybe a new
word will surface someday for those pre-School unschooling-but-not-quite
years.>>


I see what you are saying and agree. Have any suggestions for a good term?
Maybe we can all come up with something that suits us!!

Mary B


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Kimber

<<<Again, it seems that all of society wants to make labels for everyone--unschoolers, homeschoolers, schoolers, radical unschoolers, and so on.
I get sick of that!
Kelli>>>


My husband and a good friend both asked me why I felt the need to have a 'label'. I guess I have been trying to catagorize myself. I am unsure why. I have been thinking about it and I still don't have a reasonable answer. I am trying to discover more about my religion/beliefs (Christian/nonChristian???) and parenting styles/homeschooling (I am convinced that unschooling is the choice for our family). I think I feel the need to have an answer for the questions others ask regarding these topics that will summarize my beliefs. ??? What is everyone's opinion on this?

Kimber


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

Alan & Brenda Leonard

> Again, it seems that all of society wants to make labels for
> everyone--unschoolers, homeschoolers, schoolers, radical unschoolers, and so
> on.
> I get sick of that!
> Kelli

My point was that both views (from birth, from school-age) are vaild. I was
looking at this as a possible need for descriptive word to help us talk
about what we do, not a label.

I can see how the words you have listed above could be labels with negative
meanings. In the context of this list, I guess I think of them as sorting
devices for concepts, i.e. unschooling, homeschooling, schooling. We've had
interesting discussions about what radical unschooling is and is not. It
wasn't about boxing each of us into any one of those as a label.

In many ways, I think I unschool, but my son has gotten heavily into cub
scouts lately which, with all its various achievements, is practically a
curriculum for homeschooling. I also take advantage of the occasional
school resource. None of those labels entirely fits me, and it's fine with
me.

brenda

Myranda

You know, I would love a term that fits from birth, too. Maybe something like.... Free Living? Natural Living? Non-intervention Learning/Living? Hmmm I don't like any of those, really, but maybe the last one. NIL?
Myranda

From: Alan & Brenda Leonard
My point was that both views (from birth, from school-age) are vaild. I was
looking at this as a possible need for descriptive word to help us talk
about what we do, not a label.

I can see how the words you have listed above could be labels with negative
meanings. In the context of this list, I guess I think of them as sorting
devices for concepts, i.e. unschooling, homeschooling, schooling. We've had
interesting discussions about what radical unschooling is and is not. It
wasn't about boxing each of us into any one of those as a label.

In many ways, I think I unschool, but my son has gotten heavily into cub
scouts lately which, with all its various achievements, is practically a
curriculum for homeschooling. I also take advantage of the occasional
school resource. None of those labels entirely fits me, and it's fine with
me.

brenda


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

Kelli Traaseth

Brenda,
I'm sorry, I didn't mean to sound so harsh, its just that I guess my brain or thinking doesn't work that way.
Take Care,
Kelli
Alan & Brenda Leonard <abtleo@...> wrote:> Again, it seems that all of society wants to make labels for
> everyone--unschoolers, homeschoolers, schoolers, radical unschoolers, and so
> on.
> I get sick of that!
> Kelli

My point was that both views (from birth, from school-age) are vaild. I was
looking at this as a possible need for descriptive word to help us talk
about what we do, not a label.

I can see how the words you have listed above could be labels with negative
meanings. In the context of this list, I guess I think of them as sorting
devices for concepts, i.e. unschooling, homeschooling, schooling. We've had
interesting discussions about what radical unschooling is and is not. It
wasn't about boxing each of us into any one of those as a label.

In many ways, I think I unschool, but my son has gotten heavily into cub
scouts lately which, with all its various achievements, is practically a
curriculum for homeschooling. I also take advantage of the occasional
school resource. None of those labels entirely fits me, and it's fine with
me.

brenda


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

[email protected]

In a message dated 10/16/02 3:43:20 PM, myrandab@... writes:

<< You know, I would love a term that fits from birth, too. Maybe something
like.... Free Living? Natural Living? Non-intervention Learning/Living? Hmmm
I don't like any of those, really, but maybe the last one. >>

Attachment parenting!

[email protected]

In a message dated 10/16/02 9:42:11 AM, snibbor@... writes:

<< I think I feel the need to have an answer for the questions others ask
regarding these topics that will summarize my beliefs. ??? What is
everyone's opinion on this?
>>

Language doesn't work without nouns. Things are named and groups are named
and people and places are named and beliefs and practices are named.

Sandra