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From the new roups, but I thought it might be of interest here too.
Thanks, Pam!

~Kelly


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OK. Let me try this again!
~Kelly


> what I am wondering is what you or other more
> experienced homeschoolers think of as your role in terms of
> facilitating
> learning for your kid(s) and is that pretty much the same for all
> unschoolers or does it differ. In other words, how do you generally go
> about digging up possible resources that your kids might be interested
> in
> for things they've expressed interest in, or thinking up ways they
> might
> enjoy expanding those interests. And how much do you leave up to
> them? Is
> this something that has varied over your years of unschooling with
> insight
> you have gained in the process of unschooling?

THESE are really good questions that hit right at the center of what
makes unschooling what it is. The easy quick answer is that the
parents' role varies depending on the child (and on the parent). I
think "pretty much the same for all unschoolers" would be a very
misleading answer. My role isn't the same even for my three kids.

Still, I bet there are some genera principles that all unschoolers
abide by and maybe together we can come up with a useful list.

What is the role of the unschooling parent?

1. Show respect for all of a child's interests equally.
2. Keep the child in mind as I go through life, so that I notice things
that might be of interest to that child.
3. Find ways to include the child in my own daily life - live a more
"open-book" life than the norm.
4. Follow up on things the child is interested in - and do this in a
wide variety of ways, not only by "getting him a book on it."
5. Live a family life that is rich with experiences of a variety of
kinds both at home and outside the home.
6. Have resources around the home that are interesting and stimulating
- things that will encourage exploration of ideas.
7. Discuss things - spend time in conversation. This is probably
overall the most important parental "action" involved in unschooling.
8. Have a 'playful' attitude - play together, have fun, appreciate the
amazing world around ou. Don't be cynical, be able to be amazed and
find the world a fascinating place. THIS is the most important
"attitude" for an unschooling parent.
9. Be self-aware of your own thinking and behavior. Purposely stretch
your imagination - question your own assumptions, check your own
automatic impulses.
10. Be very observant of what your child is really doing - don't view
him/her in a shallow superficial way. Recognize that there is a reason
for a child's actions, that a child is 'born to learn' and is always
learning. Get to know your child's own special favored ways of learning
11. Wholeheartedly support a child's passions EVEN if, to you, they
don't look like "education."

-pam
National Home Education Network
<www.NHEN.org>
Serving the entire homeschooling community since 1999
through information, networking and public relations.


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