Setting the Educational Bar It’s everywhere we turn. The idea that certain toys are educational, certain experiences are educational, particular places are educational. I have items in my home that supposedly hold more value than others because they have been branded as ‘educational’. They have lists on the side of them that outline the skillsContinue reading “Unschooling – Where Everything is Educational”
Tag Archives: self directed education
FAQ: What does unschooling look like?
-A week in the life- Unschooling looks differently in different families. Each family has its own unique set up, location, income, local possibilities and other contributing factors. What unschooling looks like in our family will most likely not be replicated in your family but I hope you will be encouraged by the variety of activityContinue reading “FAQ: What does unschooling look like?”
Children’s human right to play
Did you know that the right to engage in play is a human right? And did you know that, play-based-learning, does not count? Play is defined as an activity that is child initiated, controlled and structured by the child. It is driven intrinsically and entered into for the purpose of fun and is an essentialContinue reading “Children’s human right to play”
The Six Pillars of Unschooling
Tying it all together Here are the six pillars of unschooling on which the unschooling lifestyle is built. Unschooling is most successful when all six of these principles are implemented seamlessly into our daily lives: Unschooling is putting our relationships first. Creating a peaceful household where members are equally valued, where individuals needs are metContinue reading “The Six Pillars of Unschooling”
Supporting their interests
Some of our children’s interests last a life time, they begin playing with lego as soon as they are able to hold blocks and then they never let go. Thirteen years later they are still buying their own lego models and you have over 25 kilos of lego in your house. Those thirteen years haveContinue reading “Supporting their interests”
Learning Styles
Common current thinking believes that every person has a preferred learning style, a mode of learning in which they absorb information best. Some say that there are 3 styles or 4 and others say that there are 7 styles or 8 and others say that there are 71 different models. And whilst educators are busyContinue reading “Learning Styles”
Being the Bridge not the Gatekeeper
Being free to express yourself through mediums such as art, dance, writing, music is the expression of your personality and displays your uniqueness, it helps us to understand ourselves and share that with those around us. It can be difficult to see children expressing themselves because as a culture we are not used to hearingContinue reading “Being the Bridge not the Gatekeeper”
Saying ‘Yes’ to Our Children
Saying yes to our children builds our relationships and develops mutual trust and respect. It lets our children know, that we trust that they know what they need and, by positively engaging with them, we show our support for their learning journey. Conversely, if we are constantly attempting to redirect them to what we thinkContinue reading “Saying ‘Yes’ to Our Children”
It’s Playtime
It’s okay to let our children play all day. As a seasoned home educator and unschooler, I have been faced with the reality of having my children at home all day, every day and being responsible for their learning. Of course, there are some differences between my decision to home educate and the position manyContinue reading “It’s Playtime”
Living a joy-filled life
You might be forgiven for thinking that our household is without it’s miserable moments. That, dear friends, would be unrealistic. Any household with humans in it is likely to experience moments of discord, either experienced individually or corporately. However, they are moments and how we respond to them effects the general atmosphere and our relationships.Continue reading “Living a joy-filled life”
Live. Play. Learn 