RE: Unschooling: A Basic Guide for Early Education (Prek-5th grade)
We did unschooling for quite some time. I should say more child-led learning. My now 8 year old was always, and still is, a sponge for knowledge and wanting to know and learn more. This year we tried a more structured curriculum but simply because of who my daughter is. She LOVES to learn and is like a sponge. She is always wanting to know more, learn more, do more....she is like me....a feen for knowledge. She agreed to try a curriculum. We haven't followed it to a 'T' and have flowed off a bit based on her interests, things that have popped up, etc but so far she is enjoying it. She is advanced for her age. I do think doing unschooling / child-led learning for the first few years of her life kept that passion. Had I pushed a curriculum early I feel she may have lost interest. It really depends on the child. I feel homeschooling isn't a one size fits all. It's all about reading the child, how they learn best, and working with that. Great post! Thanks for sharing!!
@kindredacres you nailed it with the understanding that each child is different, and if you just support them they will amaze you in what they can accomplish within their chosen motivations. My son @aurynthenorse decided when he was young a schedule matters to him. "Is that a mommy minute or a real minute?" was something he came up with by 5 because he already realized my concept of time and his concept of time didn't mesh. As soon as he was old enough to keep up with a watch and ask for one, we got him one. Now at 13 I have him set alarms for me, or help keep me on track. It's fundamentally opposite of my nature, but noticing it and working with it has helped us both in my opinion. My reiki master told me many, many years ago that in every situation you are the student AND the teacher, and if you walk away without seeing both of those you missed something. It's nice to remind myself of that from time to time, especially as a home educator. I learn just as much as the kids do.