Homeschooling, but not as you know it

[Nut_Shake]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...ng-children-teach-games-life-experiences.html

I can understand home schooling in most cases, but this?! I'm not so sure. There are definitely certain programs and apps that can help kids with numbers, spelling etc, mine have some fantastic iPad apps that have helped them progress amazingly, along with my interaction with them with playing physical games creating crafts etc. Plus with their going to preschool a few days a week (not necessary for everyone, necessary for me!) and me taking them on trips outdoors they are coming on great, I believe this is a relatively balanced way of teaching your kids about the basics of life, what's right and wrong, social interaction and how to behave around others, when to listen, structure, and education. This just seems quite 'loose', plus where is the social interaction? And surely this much focus on bright screens can't be great for their eyes, and is causing over stimulation? Also, everyone needs some sort of structure in life, especially kids. I'm not talking a regimented day, but surely they shouldn't be left to decide whenever they want to play, eat or sleep. Is this a lazy way of home schooling? I think so. Each to their own, I truly believe that, but I just can not understand this way of doing things and believe it really could be damaging to the kids in the long run.

What are your thoughts?

 

[misspriss]

I was homeschooled. I had textbooks and formal learning, but not to the same volume that formally schooled children had, or at least it took up considerably less time in my day. I would say I did 3-5 hours of school per day, the rest I learned through life experience. I learned far more reading books, playing games, and other experience based learning activities than I did in textbooks. Like I learned so much about vocabulary from knowledge based vocabulary rummy games, they were so much fun. I went on to earn an academic scholarship to university, a bachelors degree, and a scholarship to graduate school and a graduate degree, as well as a professional accountant's license.

I don't think I could see ALL learning through "unschooling", but I do see it's merits. I think it could be like a partial piece of a homeschooling curriculum, balanced with formal schooling, but not the entire thing. I got social interaction with playgroups, church, and I was a part of homeschool sports (we got together by county and region, I was a cheerleader, my sisters swam on swim team and played basketball). I also got a job in high school.

 

[omfgski]

...

 

[XcupcakeX]

I feel sorry for those poor children

 

[special_kala]

I think unschooling sounds great as long as its done well. This article just shows one family's interpretation of it which might not be best to base an opinion on. I used to read some really good blogs about it back when I wanted to do it for my LO (before I became a single parent) and its explained much better.

This.

Unschooling can be fantastic but as with everything else it can be used the wrong way. I have read about parents who unschool but their kids are very bright, learn well and are given lots of opportunity to socialise and learn new things but i have also read about parents who basically use it as a excuse to do nothing in regard to parenting and shove a label on it like its ok.

 

[catty]

I dont think it should be allowed personally. I agree with homeschooling but this just seems like her kids are home all day playing computer.
I dont agree that someone with no qualifications should be teaching children of this age either. When they go into the real world they are going to get a big shock, I also dont think children should get to go to bed at 12

 

[misspriss]

I dont think it should be allowed personally. I agree with homeschooling but this just seems like her kids are home all day playing computer.
I dont agree that someone with no qualifications should be teaching children of this age either. When they go into the real world they are going to get a big shock, I also dont think children should get to go to bed at 12

Why not? lol I already stated, I was homeschooled. I went to bed by 9 or 10 when I was really little, but by 10 or so years old I was regularly up until 11 or 12. In high school it could be 3am (There are studies that show teenagers naturally go to sleep much later). If your children are homeschooled, why force them into a schedule that "society" says they should conform to? If they are getting the proper amount of sleep, who cares it if starts at 8, 10, or 12? We went to bed when my mom went to bed.

 

[catty]

I think unschooling sounds great as long as its done well. This article just shows one family's interpretation of it which might not be best to base an opinion on. I used to read some really good blogs about it back when I wanted to do it for my LO (before I became a single parent) and its explained much better.

This.

Unschooling can be fantastic but as with everything else it can be used the wrong way. I have read about parents who unschool but their kids are very bright, learn well and are given lots of opportunity to socialise and learn new things but i have also read about parents who basically use it as a excuse to do nothing in regard to parenting and shove a label on it like its ok.

I would like to see how other people do it il go have a look as I think this article doesnt show it in its best light to me

 

[special_kala]

I think unschooling sounds great as long as its done well. This article just shows one family's interpretation of it which might not be best to base an opinion on. I used to read some really good blogs about it back when I wanted to do it for my LO (before I became a single parent) and its explained much better.

This.

Unschooling can be fantastic but as with everything else it can be used the wrong way. I have read about parents who unschool but their kids are very bright, learn well and are given lots of opportunity to socialise and learn new things but i have also read about parents who basically use it as a excuse to do nothing in regard to parenting and shove a label on it like its ok.

I would like to see how other people do it il go have a look as I think this article doesnt show it in its best light to me

It is the daily mail, they would find a negative spin on a gold covered magical unicorn

 

[catty]

I dont think it should be allowed personally. I agree with homeschooling but this just seems like her kids are home all day playing computer.
I dont agree that someone with no qualifications should be teaching children of this age either. When they go into the real world they are going to get a big shock, I also dont think children should get to go to bed at 12

Why not? lol I already stated, I was homeschooled. I went to bed by 9 or 10 when I was really little, but by 10 or so years old I was regularly up until 11 or 12. In high school it could be 3am (There are studies that show teenagers naturally go to sleep much later). If your children are homeschooled, why force them into a schedule that "society" says they should conform to? If they are getting the proper amount of sleep, who cares it if starts at 8, 10, or 12? We went to bed when my mom went to bed.

I think its just so alien to me as I had to go to bed at the same time every night. I remember after a certain tv show finished I had to go. Obviously that doesnt mean our way was right but its inbuilt in me to have structure.
I agree that teenagers will stay up later even if you try and get them to sleep. Ahh I dunno I could be wrong but I think any 9 year old would try and stay up too late if they were allowed*

 

[catty]

https://m.gulfnews.com/i-let-my-children-do-whatever-they-want-1.1108729#.ULGP4cOEWTI.facebook


This is another I read,

 

[Sarahkka]

The article didn't leave much doubt as to what reaction it wanted the reader to have, did it? Unschooling would be a little loose for my taste and teaching/learning style, but it works really well for some families. I would add that the families I know that homeschool would certainly not be letting their kids "learn" by having unlimited access to Minecraft, or whatever the game is called! A lot of the unschooling philosophy that they follow is based more on a more organic style of being child-led, but not being totally unstructured. It's hard to say whether this style of learning is superior or inferior to regular curriculum-based classroom teaching. I know lots of homeschooled kids who have flourished, and some who struggled. But I could say the same for classroom-educated kids.
I think in an ideal world, we would allow some of the unschooled philosophy into the classroom by having some flexibility to follow a student's natural interest. I think that is where we could start to nurture a real passion for learning, rather than the student just putting their head down and drudging away at certain topics.
Or you just have to hope that your kids get one of those fantastic teachers with a talent for engaging and exciting kids on just about any topic. If they don't, I think it is our job as parents to get involved and help our kids find an enthusiasm and relevance for what they are being asked to learn.
So no, I do not think this woman is harming her children in anyway, really. The photos show two kids who look very relaxed, happy, and excited about the projects they are doing. They may be in for a few bumps in certain areas, but I don't think they are going to grow up shockingly ignorant or anything like that.
One could argue that there are many parents of classroom kids who show little to no interest or support in their children's education - why not put them under a microscope?

 

[freckleonear]

I don't like the way the article has been edited, the video is much better.

My children are currently unschooled. My 5 year old can read, write, add, subtract, multiply, divide, explain various scientific concepts and interact confidently with adults and other children. And yes, he does play Minecraft.

Unschoolers are not lazy, the parents put a lot of effort into "strewing" their children's lives with many educational opportunities. Natural learning does work, I know many successful adults and teenagers who have been educated autonomously.

Radical unschooling is when freedom is extended into family life as well as education. We had child-led mealtimes and bedtimes for a few years. It worked well back then, but it doesn't work for our family now so we have a loose routine.

It may sound crazy to those who have never experienced anything except mainstream education, but there is lots of research and evidence to show that it is effective.

 

[Sarahkka]

I don't like the way the article has been edited, the video is much better.

My children are currently unschooled. My 5 year old can read, write, add, subtract, multiply, divide, explain various scientific concepts and interact confidently with adults and other children. And yes, he does play Minecraft.

Unschoolers are not lazy, the parents put a lot of effort into "strewing" their children's lives with many educational opportunities. Natural learning does work, I know many successful adults and teenagers who have been educated autonomously.

Radical unschooling is when freedom is extended into family life as well as education. We had child-led mealtimes and bedtimes for a few years. It worked well back then, but it doesn't work for our family now so we have a loose routine.

It may sound crazy to those who have never experienced anything except mainstream education, but there is lots of research and evidence to show that it is effective.

I couldn't remember if you were an unschooler or not. Personally, I think the article may have had trouble insinuating all that it did about unschooling if it had been your family that was profiled! I've read your blog a few times and been very impressed by the way you teach your kids!

 

[freckleonear]

I don't like the way the article has been edited, the video is much better.

My children are currently unschooled. My 5 year old can read, write, add, subtract, multiply, divide, explain various scientific concepts and interact confidently with adults and other children. And yes, he does play Minecraft.

Unschoolers are not lazy, the parents put a lot of effort into "strewing" their children's lives with many educational opportunities. Natural learning does work, I know many successful adults and teenagers who have been educated autonomously.

Radical unschooling is when freedom is extended into family life as well as education. We had child-led mealtimes and bedtimes for a few years. It worked well back then, but it doesn't work for our family now so we have a loose routine.

It may sound crazy to those who have never experienced anything except mainstream education, but there is lots of research and evidence to show that it is effective.

I couldn't remember if you were an unschooler or not. Personally, I think the article may have had trouble insinuating all that it did about unschooling if it had been your family that was profiled! I've read your blog a few times and been very impressed by the way you teach your kids!

Thank you. I'm not really keen on labels, but unschooling certainly describes our education at the moment. I'm not sure how long we will continue unschooling, as we tend to adjust our educational style to suit the children's changing needs. We also incorporate ideas from other philosophies rather than keeping strictly to one style of education.

 

[louandivy]

I have no opinion on this I just wanted to say I am BLOWN AWAY by your beautiful face in your avatar Nat, holy jesus!

 

[Nut_Shake]

I have no opinion on this I just wanted to say I am BLOWN AWAY by your beautiful face in your avatar Nat, holy jesus!

Oh thanks, very sweet. That was my Halloween costume

 

[Nut_Shake]

To me it just seems too loose, I can't say it's something I would do. Obviously not all home schooling is done the way it has been portrayed in this story though. I can definitely see how in many cases home schooling would work fantastically, but I do believe the mother should be qualified to an extent and I've always been a real advocate for structure.

 

[Button#]

I think done properly it can be good for children as it develops an entrepreneurial mindset rather than automatically kitting children out for employment. Taking away the structure can encourage them to be more risk taking and think creatively. My OH recently watched a TED talk on raising kids to be entrepreneurs and we talked a lot about it (must get around to watching it myself).

We won't be doing this but will take a few ideas to apply to our time with LO as although he will have a formal education I believe that what we teach him or give him the opportunity to learn when he is at home is just as important.

 

[Button#]

Also I totally agree with the bit where she says if she doesn't know something they look it up together. They obviously put that in to make her look stupid but nobody knows everything and I think it's important for children to know that as it encourages them to keep learning well into adulthood.