Lesley

> I just wanted to share that it is
> my experience that any activity (or class - or book or program or idea)
> *specifically designed for children*, often *stinks*.
>

This was my experience also...

When Logan was 2 and not in any type of child care environment he showed
an interest in spending more time with other children so we signed up
for a class at the YMCA that was supposed to be open gym time, songs,
and a craft. The first session wasn't too bad...the instructor was
pretty good about leaving a kid be if he or she didn't want to
participate in something and wanted to do something else. I found the
crafts to be developmentally inappropriate....but all they usually
consisted of was something like "paste this on here" then it was done so
I wasn't too bothered by it. Logan seemed to enjoy it so we signed up
for the next 6 week session. There was a different instructor this time
and she had a way of making what I think she thought were funny comments
about the one or two children who chose to run around the gym or
whatever instead of participating in "circle time". This really
bothered me, but since she didn't actually interfere with Logan and he
didn't hear the comments we continued for the rest of the session. We
didn't go back because I figured that he'd eventually pick up on the
attitude.

So on I went to find a different program and ended up trying out
Gymboree. We went for a free trial class and I really loved what I
saw. Parents stayed with the children and the children were free to
explore any and all of the equipment that was set up (boy I wish they
had this for grown ups!). During the class the instructor would have
parachute time, songs with rhythm instruments, and other games going on
in the middle of the room. The kids were truly free to choose their own
activity. The instructor would come around singing with bubbles and
greet all the children at some point during each class, too. We did one
10 week session there, but then our life changed a bit- my dh got a new
job and Logan ended up going to day care from 1:30 to 4 every day (I had
been working full time on second shift). We really couldn't afford to
continue and barely had the time to either. I'm quite sad that we
stopped.

Now that we're home together again Logan seems to want more time with
other kids. Unfortunately Gymboree programs in our area only go up to
age 4...Logan will be 5 in January. I'm going to look into our local
unschoolers group (there is one, yay!) to see if there are any
activities going on with the kids and possibly organize some if there
aren't. I dread the idea of trying a YMCA program for him again because
I'm sure as kids get older they just try to impose more structure.
There is a gymnastics program I might look into nearby...but for some
reason I have a feeling its not what I'm looking for. If only we could
just go to the playground during the day (which we do)- unfortunately we
don't seem to find any other kids there and Logan is craving some sort
of kid interaction. He has a great time when he sees my kid brothers
and when we get together with my extended family, but its just not
enough for him.

So its probably a case now where I have to create what we want...but I
will recommend Gymboree programs for parents of toddlers (and it
probably does depend on the instructor!) because we had a great
experience there. But I agree with Diane...most "children's activity
classes" are terrible!

Lesley

Johanna

Don't worry about your exploded brain. Your body has a way of healing itself. Just takes time. (now is that wasted time? tee hee)
Johanna
Life is the ultimate learning experience!
----- Original Message -----
From: Juli
Sent: Monday, April 16, 2001 9:39 PM
Subject: [Unschooling-dotcom] structure

This is from the unschooling.com FAQ list

"Can unschooling be structured?
It depends on what you mean by structure. Imposing
external structure onto the learner, by specifying
materials and methods, is not unschooling. A person
creating structure to suit his or her own purpose,
that is unschooling. Some people are by nature
methodical, and we want our children to respect and
work with their own internal rhythms. Our job as
parent is to help them create what they need. For
example, it is entirely possible that one child will
learn everything in a more relaxed, free flowing way,
except for one sucject- perhaps history. With history
that child may want a time line and a access to
materials in chronological order. If it works for the
child and is created at the behest of the child, then
structured, methodical learning is also unschooling."

Still trying to put my exploded brain back together,
Juli

=====
You cannot teach a man anything; you can only help him to find it within himself --Galileo

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