Comments on: More thoughts on trusting kids … http://kblog.theschellingerhoudts.com/2010/03/29/more-thoughts-on-trusting-kids/ Sun, 20 May 2012 18:03:38 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Shannon http://kblog.theschellingerhoudts.com/2010/03/29/more-thoughts-on-trusting-kids/#comment-1965 Shannon Thu, 13 May 2010 17:15:24 +0000 http://kblog.theschellingerhoudts.com/?p=1336#comment-1965 I'm an unschooler at heart, I think. I've tried to "encourage" Ellie to practice learning and writing letters and count, and it completely turns her off. If I don't push her, she'll actually want to do things. She's not reading or writing much, but she can tell you how to plant a garden and make bread :) Pushing schoolwork on her doesn't work at all. I have huge issues with preschoolers being forced to do schoolwork. Their play is their work. I'm still coming to terms with how I feel about unschooling. If I were to send my kids to school at some point, I wouldn't want them to be years behind, KWIM? I did find a curriculum that looks really interesting to my waldorfy, unschooling self though, so I might look into that at some point. I’m an unschooler at heart, I think. I’ve tried to “encourage” Ellie to practice learning and writing letters and count, and it completely turns her off. If I don’t push her, she’ll actually want to do things. She’s not reading or writing much, but she can tell you how to plant a garden and make bread :) Pushing schoolwork on her doesn’t work at all. I have huge issues with preschoolers being forced to do schoolwork. Their play is their work. I’m still coming to terms with how I feel about unschooling. If I were to send my kids to school at some point, I wouldn’t want them to be years behind, KWIM? I did find a curriculum that looks really interesting to my waldorfy, unschooling self though, so I might look into that at some point.

]]> By: kim http://kblog.theschellingerhoudts.com/2010/03/29/more-thoughts-on-trusting-kids/#comment-1758 kim Thu, 08 Apr 2010 00:45:41 +0000 http://kblog.theschellingerhoudts.com/?p=1336#comment-1758 That's true, Tammy! And in that vein, I would say they don't really *need* to learn it. If they're interested in 'advanced math', they will want to learn it - otherwise, it's obviously not a life skill they require! That’s true, Tammy! And in that vein, I would say they don’t really *need* to learn it. If they’re interested in ‘advanced math’, they will want to learn it - otherwise, it’s obviously not a life skill they require!

]]> By: Tammy http://kblog.theschellingerhoudts.com/2010/03/29/more-thoughts-on-trusting-kids/#comment-1757 Tammy Thu, 08 Apr 2010 00:22:57 +0000 http://kblog.theschellingerhoudts.com/?p=1336#comment-1757 Yeah, I'd be ineterested in that post too. I can understand needing to learn basic math (like for cooking as you mentioned). But more advanced math is not normally necessary in "real life" that I've noticed. algebra, etc... Yeah, I’d be ineterested in that post too. I can understand needing to learn basic math (like for cooking as you mentioned). But more advanced math is not normally necessary in “real life” that I’ve noticed. algebra, etc…

]]> By: kim http://kblog.theschellingerhoudts.com/2010/03/29/more-thoughts-on-trusting-kids/#comment-1746 kim Mon, 05 Apr 2010 14:29:29 +0000 http://kblog.theschellingerhoudts.com/?p=1336#comment-1746 Karen - thanks for stopping by!! It's exciting, isn't it, to make the decision to keep them home?! Sarah - My pleasure :) I would love to read some more information on learning math without school! Karen - thanks for stopping by!! It’s exciting, isn’t it, to make the decision to keep them home?!

Sarah - My pleasure :) I would love to read some more information on learning math without school!

]]> By: Sarah Rainsberger http://kblog.theschellingerhoudts.com/2010/03/29/more-thoughts-on-trusting-kids/#comment-1744 Sarah Rainsberger Mon, 05 Apr 2010 02:22:04 +0000 http://kblog.theschellingerhoudts.com/?p=1336#comment-1744 Hi Kim. Just wanted to say a quick thanks for posting the link to my article about getting into university without a high school diploma. And, the comments have got me thinking about writing something on the whole "how does an unschooler learn math?" issue from a different (educator's, not parent's) perspective. So, with any luck, I'll post something in the next few days about that. Thanks for the inspiration. Hi Kim. Just wanted to say a quick thanks for posting the link to my article about getting into university without a high school diploma.

And, the comments have got me thinking about writing something on the whole “how does an unschooler learn math?” issue from a different (educator’s, not parent’s) perspective. So, with any luck, I’ll post something in the next few days about that. Thanks for the inspiration.

]]> By: Karen http://kblog.theschellingerhoudts.com/2010/03/29/more-thoughts-on-trusting-kids/#comment-1738 Karen Fri, 02 Apr 2010 23:33:56 +0000 http://kblog.theschellingerhoudts.com/?p=1336#comment-1738 I enjoyed this post a bunch. We've just recently made the decision to homeschool officially. Our oldest is now 5 and kindergarden was looming for next fall. We're making some adjustments to make sure we are ready to support her learning. We've chosen a curriculum and I'm happy about the choice. It's basically a lot of books to read to her and a very cool hands-on science book with 70+ projects/experiments. We also have 3 sewing projects and a loom, as she's expressed an interest in various sewing that I do and this is a good start to learning. We do tend to follow her lead for interests, and reading is just part of the fun. So reading is a natural extension of family life and we can call it school if we want to. I love that I'll be here to answer her questions and that she'll be free to move and express herself. I enjoyed this post a bunch. We’ve just recently made the decision to homeschool officially. Our oldest is now 5 and kindergarden was looming for next fall. We’re making some adjustments to make sure we are ready to support her learning. We’ve chosen a curriculum and I’m happy about the choice. It’s basically a lot of books to read to her and a very cool hands-on science book with 70+ projects/experiments. We also have 3 sewing projects and a loom, as she’s expressed an interest in various sewing that I do and this is a good start to learning.

We do tend to follow her lead for interests, and reading is just part of the fun. So reading is a natural extension of family life and we can call it school if we want to. I love that I’ll be here to answer her questions and that she’ll be free to move and express herself.

]]> By: kim http://kblog.theschellingerhoudts.com/2010/03/29/more-thoughts-on-trusting-kids/#comment-1735 kim Fri, 02 Apr 2010 10:54:49 +0000 http://kblog.theschellingerhoudts.com/?p=1336#comment-1735 Tammy, all kids are social creatures who are driven to learn what they need to know to function in society. I think that when it comes to math, you eventually need to learn it! Take cooking - Gwen loves cooking with me. To learn math with cooking/baking, we can talk about how many cups we need if we double or triple the recipe. If say, I ask them to plan out a road trip and they want to know the distance we will cover, etc. So, willI sit them down and force them to memorize their times tables? No. Do I expect them to learn, at their own pace, the math needed to survive day-to-day life? Yes - they are children - they will learn it if it's a useful tool! Tammy, all kids are social creatures who are driven to learn what they need to know to function in society. I think that when it comes to math, you eventually need to learn it! Take cooking - Gwen loves cooking with me. To learn math with cooking/baking, we can talk about how many cups we need if we double or triple the recipe. If say, I ask them to plan out a road trip and they want to know the distance we will cover, etc. So, willI sit them down and force them to memorize their times tables? No. Do I expect them to learn, at their own pace, the math needed to survive day-to-day life? Yes - they are children - they will learn it if it’s a useful tool!

]]> By: kim http://kblog.theschellingerhoudts.com/2010/03/29/more-thoughts-on-trusting-kids/#comment-1734 kim Fri, 02 Apr 2010 10:54:03 +0000 http://kblog.theschellingerhoudts.com/?p=1336#comment-1734 Tammy, all kids are social creatures who are driven to learn what they need to know to function in society. I think that when it comes to math, you eventually need to learn it! Take cooking - Gwen loves cooking with me. To learn math with cooking/baking, we can talk about how many cups we need if we double or triple the recipe. If say, I ask them to plan out a road trip and they want to know the distance we will cover, etc. So, willI sit them down and force them to memorize their times tables? No. Do I expect them to learn, at their own pace, the math needed to survive day-to-day life? Yes - they are children - they will learn it if it's a useful tool! Nadine - I'd love to read it!! Tammy, all kids are social creatures who are driven to learn what they need to know to function in society. I think that when it comes to math, you eventually need to learn it! Take cooking - Gwen loves cooking with me. To learn math with cooking/baking, we can talk about how many cups we need if we double or triple the recipe. If say, I ask them to plan out a road trip and they want to know the distance we will cover, etc. So, willI sit them down and force them to memorize their times tables? No. Do I expect them to learn, at their own pace, the math needed to survive day-to-day life? Yes - they are children - they will learn it if it’s a useful tool!

Nadine - I’d love to read it!!

]]> By: Tammy http://kblog.theschellingerhoudts.com/2010/03/29/more-thoughts-on-trusting-kids/#comment-1733 Tammy Fri, 02 Apr 2010 03:36:01 +0000 http://kblog.theschellingerhoudts.com/?p=1336#comment-1733 So, for unschooling - what happends if they just don't ever want to learn math? They just never have to learn it? I agree that we're all given a thirst for learning, but we don't all want to learn the same things. But some things aren't really optional are they? So, for unschooling - what happends if they just don’t ever want to learn math? They just never have to learn it? I agree that we’re all given a thirst for learning, but we don’t all want to learn the same things. But some things aren’t really optional are they?

]]> By: Nadine http://kblog.theschellingerhoudts.com/2010/03/29/more-thoughts-on-trusting-kids/#comment-1732 Nadine Thu, 01 Apr 2010 21:22:27 +0000 http://kblog.theschellingerhoudts.com/?p=1336#comment-1732 I wrote an article about homeschooling in Hamilton in the late 90's and met the most amazin, intelligent kids! I'll see if I can find it. I wrote an article about homeschooling in Hamilton in the late 90’s and met the most amazin, intelligent kids! I’ll see if I can find it.

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