Unschooling - Now What's the Plan?

Many parents are deciding to go this unschooling route for and with their kids. But they still need a plan of some sort.
That’s what makes us fall back to curriculum, right?
It’s familiar.
We get nervous.
We LIKE having a plan.
And even better, a plan someone else created that fits.

But that’s the problem. No curriculum company can individualize a plan FOR you. They’re aiming for that bell curve, which they think fits MOST kids that age. But it isn’t individualized.
We could create an individualized plan together on a coaching call, if you ever wanted that. I have a few clients that I’ve done that with - basing everything on kids interests, your (and their) energy levels, what your community is like - so that IS an option. 

But when you look around your house and think, “Ok, now what?”

Let’s talk about that. 

As it pertains to your kids... 

This isn't going to look like school. It will really look like the reverse of school! 

Instead of pouring information into kids' heads and hoping they retain it, as unschooling parents, we’re focusing on helping them explore their interests. And then, when they inevitably get to a stumbling place - lacking a skill or needing information - that's where we help them find resources. When kids have an end goal that THEY want, they're much more interested in working through what they need to get there. No more arbitrary random factoids to memorize. Learning can be RELEVANT!

Another underlying idea is the recognition that humans are hard-wired to learn and be curious. We WANT to know more - and that includes your kids! But we all want to have a say over the topics. "Because you'll need it someday," just isn't going to cut it. It never did, really, did it?

Subjects weave through every day activities all the time. Even The Basics! Actually, they are "the basics" because they do show up in our daily life. And if they don't, do we really need to spend a lot of time in power struggles to make the kids jump through those hoops? Couldn't you wait until they actually need the information? I promise it will be much easier on both of you!

As it pertains to you...

This is where it's important to think about why you've chosen this option.

What is it that you're trying to move away from? What are you trying to move toward?

Taking a few minutes to think about this. It will give you clarity and it will help you when you have a bad day. And yes, you will have days that frustrate you and make you second-guess your decisions. But knowing your own "Why?" will help bring you back to steadier ground.

Observation Over Orchestration
These first few weeks are all about.

I know. We’re a nation of doers. Our identities are so connected to our productivity levels. And that may be something you’ll want to examine over the next few months. Maybe I can spend another podcast talking about why we all seem to value being productive so much. Let me know in the comments if this is an issue you’re facing too. 

In the beginning of unschooling - when we're still worried we're not "covering" certain subjects - if we slow down and notice what the kids are doing, we'll see that learning is taking place. Again, it won’t LOOK LIKE school. But if you can relax a little, you can see subjects weaving through activities. 

For Example...

A Discovery channel show that the whole family enjoys might touch on:

• Science - the marine biology, earth science & oceanography, water temperatures
• Math - may be looking at measurements and depths of the ocean, sizes of animals and sunken ships, length of time for the video, commercial breaks and how long they are
• Social Studies - might discuss the history, or the people who live with the ocean or the scientists that are studying it (more science)
• Language Arts - the story behind it all, new vocabulary
• Art - the visual aesthetics of the show, the graphics, photography, and videography
• Technology - how it fits in with measuring (math) what they’re sharing in the show. Possibly looking up information on your phone WHILE watching the show? “ Where have we heard that narrator’s voice ?”

It’s like pulling a thread on a sweater - when you’re really into what’s happening right in front of you, instead of trying to coerce and control the “learning experience.” Just go with the flow and watch so much of it unfold right in front of you.

Your "Unschooling Parent Job"

In these next few week, your “job” is to observe your child. 

Don’t push anything.
You’re in a data gathering stage:

• What do they like? 
• When do they seem more open to new ideas? 
• What patterns are emerging in your home naturally? Why resist that?

Notice your own anxiety about it all:

• When does that pop up? 
• What could you do to calm yourself?
• How could you gather more information and support so you don’t basically ask your child to change what they’re doing - just to calm your anxiety. That’s not their job - that’s yours.

UNSCHOOLING RESOURCES

Video Mini-Course

This video is part of the Getting Started Unschooling free Mini-course at YouTube.
Video #1: Getting Legal & Finding Unschoolers
Video #2: How Do Unschooled Kids Learn What They Need to Know?
VIDEO #3: What do Parents Do?

Unschooling Checklist Challenge

If you're more of an email person, you can sign up for the 7-day Unschooling Checklist Challenge. I can help you get started on this unschooling journey.

Here are three podcasts/transcripts I shared in the challenge that may help you too: 

🎙 The Lure of Curriculum 

🎙Your UNSCHOOLING Curriculum 😳

🎙Thinking About Your "Why?"

Creating Confidence Membership Group

And my FAVORITE way of helping people is through the membership group. With over 25 years worth of resources, group coaching calls and an incredibly supportive community, you’ll definitely get your money’s worth of help. It’s still set up where you join, paying month by month. So you’ll want to do that!!

OK! Thats it from me. If you get a chance, leave a review wherever you listen to this podcast or over at Google if you read from the website. That helps spread the word so more families can see that unschooling is an option for them too! 
Talk to you again soon! 

More Unschooling Resources: