Unschooling our Schooling

There is a type of Homeschooling called Unschooling. There are variations to it, but the basis is to not teach or instruct but to allow your child to explore imagine and figure it out on their own.

Kind of like how a baby learns how to walk and talk. We don't 'teach' them. We set the example, model the behavior and let them go.

Anyhoo....I'm NOT an Unschooler. Well maybe...but not to the extreme as some might be. I believe in allowing my kids to explore and run with things, and I will try to provide them with lots of experiences and see what they do with it. BUT....I also like to control teach my children what they need to know. ABC's and 123's, manners ect. We don't have to do it by conventional means, but I do like to make sure they are growing, learning and progressing (whatever that all means)

ANYWAY.... MY POINT....
Last year Adam and I took the girls skating. I won't say much about it except that I became frustrated and the girls decided they hated skating. So maybe I was frustrated that what I was saying just was not sinking in and that they did not want to listen to my advice??? ahem. could be.

So....

This year on the way to the rink I PROMISED them I would not yell at them. (ahem) They quietly murmured a sweet 'thanks mom'. again...ahem.

At first I tried to guide them a little. I mean COME ON!!! I used to figure skate and watching them learn was PAINFUL. About as painful as watching a 3 year old play soccer. Then I thought. Maybe learning to skate is like learning to walk. and maybe...JUST MAYBE...Lara is a bit like me and is stubborn likes to figure things out on her own.

So after a few minutes I just stepped back and ignored Lara ( The ONLY way for me not to try to help her)

And Voila!!!!

10 minutes later she was skating! Like REALLY skating!!!! Yay Lara! Yay me for stepping back and allowing her to figure it out!

So...apparently in some situations UNSCHOOLING WORKS!!!

That was my point. Thanks for sticking with me

Anyway, here are a few shots of Erin.