Back to School when you're an Unschooler

Unschooling sounds like a strange and radical term. 
Yet in practice it is simply the concept of life learning. 

Unschooling defines learning as a process, a becoming and something which enriches your mind, body and soul.


It is the way human beings have naturally learned for millennia.
 Learning through practical application, in response to natural need.

Learning by example from family and community in security and love.


Learning seems to happen effortlessly when we are all simply engaged in our own passions.
 Coming together at various times to share our pursuits and interests with another, or to collaborate on projects. 


 Often the main lesson of the day, for both the girls and I,  is a lesson in connection and authenticity.

When I find myself pushing and shoving the girls into work they find irrelevant, we all burn out.
 And all there is to show for the effort is a pile of scratched in worksheets for "proof"
And the peace  that is meant to be at the heart of it all is left wanting.

  
Am I motivated by fear or love?

Our learning journey is focused on priorities. I want to be mindful of what really matters most to us as a family and as human beings.

This usually means relationship, soul and authenticity come first.

Learning grows organically from nutrient rich soil.

The nutrients of our soil are

• Gentle rhythms
• Strong connections
• Healthful food
• Spiritual practices such as prayer, and meditation
• Creativity
• Handwork
• Nature
• Community
• A wide variety of experiences and learning opportunities

 

When we trust our natural rhythms and our bodies needs things work out for the best.

Learning to integrate our bodies natural rhythms to seasonal rhythms is an important part of connecting with our bodies.  
We celebrate the changing seasons of the year with crafts, songs, nature walks and cooking.
Over the weekend we read "Children of the Forest" together and had much fun replacing the Summer nature table with treasures for the early Autumn nature table.
 Boo's Papier Mache rainbow bowl full of shells was replaced with Emmy's hand woven willow basket for acorns, conkers and all manner of Autumn treasures we shall find over the next couple of months.
We lit Matilda's lantern and sang an Autumn verse.
The girl's made a little fire out of sticks and yellow leaves and our friendly witch sat on a tree stump for a cup of tea!
We also made a felt leaf garland, and the girls had a lot of fun taking it in turns choosing and threading their own Autumn leaf.

We read aloud, practiced pieces of music, wrote stories, plays, poems and baked good warm

food.

From gently watered roots branch, leaf and bud grow strong.