Five Steps to Unschooling: Step 5

Welcome to the Five Steps to Unschooling mini series. Here you will find five small things that you can implement in your home as you move towards unschooling. They are in no particular order and I am certain other mini series will follow to give you further ideas of how you can move forward towards an unschooling life style.

I once saw a poster which was entitled ’10 ways to encourage your children to read.’ It simply said, in list format, 1-10 read to your child. In a similar vein, and to keep things straight forward, and focus our attention on one single aspect, all five steps will be about the role and importance of play.

-Enjoy your own playtime-

Have your own interests

That question that you’ve always wanted to know the answer to, that thing you’ve never really understood but intrigues you, that hobby you’ve been fascinated by for years, now is the time to do them.

Do you remember that exhibition that you once visited and you loved? Go back and see it again. Or picking up a leaflet for a place that looked interesting? Go there. What about that signpost you drive past frequently with the unusual place name? Take a detour and go and find it. That thing you keep saying, ‘I’ve always wanted to try that,’ look into it and find a way to have a go.

Do these things because they have engaged your curiosity.

Irrespective of what your children are doing, find time to invest in things that you enjoy and find pursuits that bring you joy. Find books on a current special interest from the library, join an online interest group, subscribe to a magazine, source materials to try a new skill. Follow your own line of enquiry and delve deep into a topic of your choice.

Be openly interesting and curious for your own benefit

This will serve a triple purpose.

Firstly you will find pleasure in your day to day life, moments of fulfillment in your own pursuits and self care.
Secondly, you will discover that learning doesn’t stop when you finish with school. You will bear witness to yourself that learning happens every day and in all manner of ways.
Thirdly, you will be an example to your children and they may, in turn, be interested in what you are doing and the things that you are discovering.

Make a life that you enjoy and the learning will follow.

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