I realize it may seem a bit early to be reading up on educational theory, but I figure the more I learn now, the better off Sam will be later. And from what I read in this book, if learning is treated as a part of every day life, there really is no beginning or end to schooling.
Here's an excerpt from the book:
When I was a kid my mom and I got involved with starting a private school modeled after the Sudbury School in Massachusetts, which is basically an unschooling school. I never ended up attending, choosing instead to remain in public school with my friends. But I did retain a healthy curiosity about how and why we educate the way we do, which eventually led to a second degree in education and a brief stint teaching at an alternative school.
I like to think that all of this has prepared somewhat me to facilitate my own children's learning. It's a bold move, taking on the responsibility for your child's education when we have traditionally outsourced the task.
But suppose for a moment that children are capable of ravenously seeking out and absorbing information on their own, with a little guidance and direction from Mom and Dad. The authors assert that if left to their own devices, children never lose their inate curiosity. I was encouraged and inspired by these thoughts. Like so many things that we fear must be left in the more capable hands of the "experts" we can potentially provide a much richer, more satisfying, challenging and successful educational venture, tailored to each child's needs and free from the confines of the traditional model.
The book goes into much more depth and answers many of the common questions; "How do you know they're learning?" "What about socialization?" "What about math?" "How do they apply for college without a transcript?" It also gives plenty of stories shared by real moms, dads and kids who unschool. If anything, it's an interesting, voyeuristic peek into a completely different way of learning.
