Unschooling is a term used when talking about families that don't follow a traditional curriculum and school schedule. Families who unschool let their children lead the way by focusing on their interests. There are no school schedules, homework, assignments, projects or field trips unless the child initiates, and has continued interest in, these aspects of home education.
Instructions
1. Begin unschooling by following your child's interests. Don't force themes or topics on them that you think they should learn.
2. Follow your child's lead. If they have an interest in snakes, take them to the library for books, rent movies, take a walk, provide drawing paper for snake art and visit a pet store. Don't do all of these at once, but rather when your child desires it.
3. Forget about a school schedule. When you unschool, learning happens throughout the day and is never scheduled.
4. Take advantage of learning opportunities such as when your child asks questions about history, health or literature. Spotting teachable moments when you unschool happens over time, but after a couple years of unschooling, knowing a teachable moment comes naturally.
5. Have plenty of independent activities available for your child all around your home. Provide tons of books, movies, journals, music, art supplies, books on tape and outside play equipment for your child.
6. Use life as the main teacher when you unschool. Daily errands such as cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping and doctor visits can all provide teachable moments. Skills such as cost comparison, measurement, fractions, chemistry makeup, money and occupational skills can be taught when running errands.
Tags: your child, school schedule, teachable moments, when your, when your child