Unschooling Support March '09 - Page 4

[Whistler]

Originally Posted by rockportmama

NAK

Hey!

I'm not very fun & creative yet -- still deschooling myself! Any recommendations for unit study type thingies for my 3yo & I to explore together when he wants? I'm on a limited budget and want to get some activities to get DS & I interacting more.

We have a zillion story books to read, but it just seems like I could introduce more fun things than just reading.

Any ideas to get me started, mamas?

TIA! -Rockport-

For age three I'd recommend all the open-ended toys you can find. Blocks, crayons/blank paper, little people, fabric pieces, sidewalk chalk, play dough. Then just go to town with imaginative play. Enjoy playing together!

You have plenty of time to do academic stuff later. Have you discovered (as an adult) how much fun homemade Playdough is? I'd highly recommend it!

[transformed]

I was at a co-op I wanted to check out/try for friends for ds and they were very "school at home" people and I told them I was really very much of an unschooler and they crinkled their noses and said "Whats thaaaat?" I kind of clammered a little bit but tried to explain it. I still think I made it sound stupid/

What is your best answer for that question?

[joy_seeker]

Originally Posted by transformed

I was at a co-op I wanted to check out/try for friends for ds and they were very "school at home" people and I told them I was really very much of an unschooler and they crinkled their noses and said "Whats thaaaat?" I kind of clammered a little bit but tried to explain it. I still think I made it sound stupid/

What is your best answer for that question?

I usually tell people that I've found that my kids learn better with real world experiences that pertain to their interests and everyday lives than with abstract bookwork. Of course I believe all people learn better this way but I've found that by phrasing it "my kids" people don't feel that they need to defend their methods (I don't want to debate random people at the grocery store, lol). It also has the added benefit of reassuring "concerned" individuals that they ARE learning, just in a different way.

[Mona]

sometimes i just tell folks that we are relaxed homeschoolers. lots of people have not heard of unschooling and i find its really hard to summarize on the spur of the moment w/ people, OR they've heard of it but have heard the bizarro stories (ie, unparenting) rather then what unschooling really is.
either way, keeping a similar language helps, and i think that using the word relaxed w/ homeschooling could convey the life style you are trying to get accross.

hth!

lisa

[BedHead]

Hey! It's physical fitness time here. Dd has been doing yoga and Jillian Michaels 30 day shred videos for the past week. We like to do them together I think she's embarrassed a bit that I seem to be in better shape than her! Now if I can get her to start eating tf, she'll be well on her way to newfound health

[AllisonK]

Just popping in. DS (just turned 6) has had no interest in writing at all. I have not pushed it and lately he has been playing Mars Mission on lego.com well he wanted cheat codes so I found a kids message board with a thread of tons of codes and he has been writing them all on his own. He knows his letters by sight and I am just amazed but I can read his writing with no problems and its really the first things he has written. He is also starting to read and sound out the cheat codes. He can spell and write words like nightfall, defense, and awesome before cat and dog. lol Okay had to share now I am back to eating my cupcake...

[4evermom]

Originally Posted by AllisonK

Just popping in. DS (just turned 6) has had no interest in writing at all. I have not pushed it and lately he has been playing Mars Mission on lego.com well he wanted cheat codes so I found a kids message board with a thread of tons of codes and he has been writing them all on his own. He knows his letters by sight and I am just amazed but I can read his writing with no problems and its really the first things he has written. He is also starting to read and sound out the cheat codes. He can spell and write words like nightfall, defense, and awesome before cat and dog. lol Okay had to share now I am back to eating my cupcake...

My ds has been really into that, too. I wish he discovered his interest BEFORE because the kits he wants aren't as readily available...

Ds was so thrilled I googled for the cheat and level codes (probably coming up with the same message board). Too bad we live across the country, our ds would have fun talking about it, lol. And I think it's funny, too, how my ds is learning "hard" words before easy ones.

[UUMom]

We're leaving for FL today for some sun. I hope there is sun, anyway. I hope I didn't choose a week of rain for my winter escape. lol

[Whistler]

Originally Posted by UUMom

We're leaving for FL today for some sun. I hope there is sun, anyway. I hope I didn't choose a week of rain for my winter escape. lol

Ohhh, have fun! I'll send happy, sunny thoughts your way. It certainly isn't here so maybe the sun is hanging out down there...

[KaraBoo]

No rain vibes!

Bedhead, it seems to be physical fitness time here too. I've been exercising 5 days a week with DD (and then once more by myself on the weekend) using My Fitness Coach and Wii Fit. She makes it so much more fun. LOL

I've been sewing a lot more. DD has had more social events than usual. We got a weekly sitter whom everyone adores. We've been playing more games (video and board). Just same old same old in that we're going through our usual phases. Right now it seems we're in exercise and game mode!

[4evermom]

Come to the April thread! :
http://www.mothering.com/discussions...7#post13473937