I really enjoyed reading this. My husband and I don't have children, but we both agreed that if we did we would homeschool. I'll definitely have to check out the podcast.
I really enjoyed this chat with you Amy about home Ed and unschooling. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to listen to it back as I was sure I didn’t articulate myself well and I hate the sound of my own voice but I actually really enjoyed listening back over our conversation.
Thank you so much for joining me, I really loved the chat with you it was so much fun, and I loved listening back when I edited too. So lovely to chat xx
A passionate unschooler here too ☺️ I believe it's vital that parents know their options so they can find a way of learning and living that suits their individual needs!
I think so many of us were schooled in the education system that whether we like it or not we have schooled minds and it takes a lot to deschool from that. Children are so lucky that they have none of that and even if they start in school their deschooling is so much less too 🙏🏻 when we are able to let go I think we really see how much natural learning happens!
We stumbled across unschooling as my son needed time at home to recover from complex grief after losing his dad, grandma and grandad in just a few years on top of the stress of Covid 19.
Unschooling led us to all sorts of interesting and soothing projects. He turned his gecko enclosure of plastic plants and ornaments into a natural and living habitat with real plants and insects. He researched everything on YouTube and learned about the Amazon rainforest. We made coco cola and researched all the traditional ingredients. He asked for an Ooni oven for Christmas and learned to make pizza
At age 16 he passed 5 GCSEs after learning online himself in a self directed way alongside working as a part time chef in a pizzeria- his ideal job for a while.
He kept connected to friends with scouts and online gaming.
He tried college last year but the formal classroom structure didn’t suit him so he’s now training as a carpenter at age 17 and he’s thriving.
He needed that time at home to mainly grieve and calm his nervous system. Self directed learning offered a way of learning that facilitated this process.
Alongside this my daughter attended her Grammar school and then university and achieved a first class honours degree in English.
They’re both as bright but needed different learning environments.
Firstly, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your sons dad, along with his grandparents too, what an incredibly difficult situation to navigate. It sounds like self direct learning was just what he needed and so glad to hear he's thriving.
I love that you have experience of two different learning styles/systems and how each were just right for that child - I think that's so wonderful, just being able to meet everyone right where they are at!
Thank you Amy. It hasn’t been easy and I had to shield my son from a lot of concern and pressure from school. I felt I had to teach them about a trauma informed approach. But after lots of meetings we got the support we needed but had to fight hard including going to tribunal twice to win an EHCP for this emotional support. I work hard to use my story to make it easier for other families to get the flexibility and support we need with our complex grief/ trauma xx
I really enjoyed reading this. My husband and I don't have children, but we both agreed that if we did we would homeschool. I'll definitely have to check out the podcast.
Thank you so much - we decided to homeschool before we had children and I definitely found that once they were here that desire grew even more!
I really enjoyed this chat with you Amy about home Ed and unschooling. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to listen to it back as I was sure I didn’t articulate myself well and I hate the sound of my own voice but I actually really enjoyed listening back over our conversation.
Thank you again for having me on xxx
Thank you so much for joining me, I really loved the chat with you it was so much fun, and I loved listening back when I edited too. So lovely to chat xx
A passionate unschooler here too ☺️ I believe it's vital that parents know their options so they can find a way of learning and living that suits their individual needs!
I think so many of us were schooled in the education system that whether we like it or not we have schooled minds and it takes a lot to deschool from that. Children are so lucky that they have none of that and even if they start in school their deschooling is so much less too 🙏🏻 when we are able to let go I think we really see how much natural learning happens!
I love this article.
We stumbled across unschooling as my son needed time at home to recover from complex grief after losing his dad, grandma and grandad in just a few years on top of the stress of Covid 19.
Unschooling led us to all sorts of interesting and soothing projects. He turned his gecko enclosure of plastic plants and ornaments into a natural and living habitat with real plants and insects. He researched everything on YouTube and learned about the Amazon rainforest. We made coco cola and researched all the traditional ingredients. He asked for an Ooni oven for Christmas and learned to make pizza
At age 16 he passed 5 GCSEs after learning online himself in a self directed way alongside working as a part time chef in a pizzeria- his ideal job for a while.
He kept connected to friends with scouts and online gaming.
He tried college last year but the formal classroom structure didn’t suit him so he’s now training as a carpenter at age 17 and he’s thriving.
He needed that time at home to mainly grieve and calm his nervous system. Self directed learning offered a way of learning that facilitated this process.
Alongside this my daughter attended her Grammar school and then university and achieved a first class honours degree in English.
They’re both as bright but needed different learning environments.
Firstly, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your sons dad, along with his grandparents too, what an incredibly difficult situation to navigate. It sounds like self direct learning was just what he needed and so glad to hear he's thriving.
I love that you have experience of two different learning styles/systems and how each were just right for that child - I think that's so wonderful, just being able to meet everyone right where they are at!
Thank you Amy. It hasn’t been easy and I had to shield my son from a lot of concern and pressure from school. I felt I had to teach them about a trauma informed approach. But after lots of meetings we got the support we needed but had to fight hard including going to tribunal twice to win an EHCP for this emotional support. I work hard to use my story to make it easier for other families to get the flexibility and support we need with our complex grief/ trauma xx