the network for radical unschooling families

Unschooling four children, diff ages

Hello Im new to all this and would appreciate any advice you can give
I started to home educate my eldest about 6 months ago and was using a formal schooling method but soon relised it wasn't working for either of us, then i came across the unschooling method and thought that would be best. I have just recently (today) started to unschool all my children (four) aged 9, 6, 5, 3
Can anyone give me tips on how to get the best from my children, keep them interested. Thanks

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Permalink Reply by Elisabeth on June 23, 2009 at 8:43am: I know lots of words of wisdom will be here to help and guide you...but I'll start by saying...read read read....I mean you...absorb as much as you can on Sandra's site, Joyce's and Pam's...In fact think of it as summer vacation reading....and speaking of vacation.. take one, you don't have to actually go anywhere..but think fun, connection, relaxation, exploring, movie marathons, games...whatever..... just as long as there are no I hope they're learning something expectation.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Schuyler Waynforth on June 23, 2009 at 9:17am: Let them explore the world for a while before you begin looking for results of their exploration. At this point your 9 year old, particularly, will need a period of deschooling before you should even begin thinking about looking for him to be open to ideas from you. Find things they enjoy and want to do and help to facilitate that. If, right now, that looks like a lot of time watching television or playing video games or not doing a lot, see it has a rehabilitation period. And he's gonna need to be in school-rehab for a while. Think about now as summer vacation.

Find fun things to do and see if anyone wants to do them. If they don't then find something else to do. Take no for an answer.

Children are interested in many things, just like adults. If you spend time with your 4 and see what gets them to light up versus what they can take or leave, then you'll know what will keep their interest, at least for that moment.

Schuyler; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Alane on June 23, 2009 at 6:31pm: "I have just recently (today) started to unschool all my children (four) aged 9, 6, 5, 3..."
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How did today look different from past days?

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"Can anyone give me tips on how to get the best from my children, keep them interested."

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I'm not sure what you mean by "getting the best from [your] children." Can you elaborate?

One of the huge differences I see in unschooling v schooling is that unschooled kids own their own learning. They decide what's of value to them, how far to go with it, etc. whereas schooled kids are not only directed in their learning, but must then prove to teachers what they know and how well they know it.

The idea of getting the best from kids sounds to me like you're expecting certain outcomes. Ditto for "keeping them interested." Everyone is interested in something. Sometimes those interests last a long time, sometimes they're fleeting. I would resent it if someone attempted to keep me interested in something when I've had enough and am ready to move on to something else.

Let them show you what they're interested in. Listen to them, watch what they do with their time, ask questions, join them on their terms. If you see something you think they'll like, offer it. Once they realize they're truly free to explore anything, and that everything "counts" you'll likely see one interest lead to another quite naturally.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by PranaMama on June 24, 2009 at 6:28am: Hi Tanya;)
I am brand new to this network but i wanted to reply to your post since we have commonalities. I also unschool my 4 children- they are a tad bit older but it's all the same in bigger bodies and slightly larger heads...LOL Now, we have always done this but I would suggest to you that you just learn to listen to them and take the cues they offer as to how and when they will want to learn. Stepping aside is the hardest thing I have had to learn to do. It doesn't mean you are not doing anything. Children are really amazing learners and don't need a lot of coercion to do the thing they are made to do- which is to learn and grow and prosper etc... It is a rather difficult thing, mostly for you, as you will have to take off the reigns and continue to tell yourself (reassure yourself) that they will not stop learning just b/c you have withdrawn them from any structured educational environment- being a school or school at home. They are all quite young still. I find it interesting how many people with younger children are concerned about keeping them "working" on something. My youngest is 7 and mostly he still just wants to play, while my oldest 13 is in her 2nd year of desiring without my say so more structure and order to her education- something she is defining for herself and doing quite well at it. To get the best from your kids...let them show you♥ Peace to you!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tanya Parker on June 25, 2009 at 8:56am: WOW thanks all for all your help and advice. Its only my fourth day with all my children home and i cant believe how relaxed the house seems so far!!.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Eryka Lynn Gaither Parker on October 23, 2009 at 3:40pm: Tanya, You are keeping Aiden home now. Unschooling what is it. I just started homeschooling Kenny do the fact of issues with his teacher not communicating and because of the school.
We have a thing called Saratoga school. They supply all the books and 1x a week he goes there from 9-2 for electives but also, A lil bit of Language Arts, Math, Nature Art class, Science, and Spanish. Did you quit working to stay home with Aiden,.. Tell me more, I am interested in what unschooling is compared to Homeschooling. Hope all is well.
Ery'ka; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Alex Polikowsky on October 23, 2009 at 3:58pm: Eryka Lynn Gaither Parker said:
Tanya, You are keeping Aiden home now. Unschooling what is it. I just started homeschooling Kenny do the fact of issues with his teacher not communicating and because of the school.
We have a thing called Saratoga school. They supply all the books and 1x a week he goes there from 9-2 for electives but also, A lil bit of Language Arts, Math, Nature Art class, Science, and Spanish. Did you quit working to stay home with Aiden,.. Tell me more, I am interested in what unschooling is compared to Homeschooling. Hope all is well.
Ery'ka

Using curriculums is not uschooling unless your child wants to do it.
Elisabeth gave some really good links to read so people can learn more about unschooling.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Eryka Lynn Gaither Parker on October 23, 2009 at 5:00pm: OOPS sorry Tanya,
ADRian. Today I am in a cloud.

Eryka Lynn Gaither Parker said:
Tanya, You are keeping Aiden home now. Unschooling what is it. I just started homeschooling Kenny do the fact of issues with his teacher not communicating and because of the school.
We have a thing called Saratoga school. They supply all the books and 1x a week he goes there from 9-2 for electives but also, A lil bit of Language Arts, Math, Nature Art class, Science, and Spanish. Did you quit working to stay home with Aiden,.. Tell me more, I am interested in what unschooling is compared to Homeschooling. Hope all is well.
Ery'ka; ▶ Reply to This