People often ask us what “unschooling” is and how we unschool our kids. Well, here are some ideas:
It’s a way of life – We try to go with the flow of the kids and avoid doing things that cause stress to us, like going to shopping malls or thinking about what to eat. In some ways, we live like zen masters: When hungry, eat. When sleepy, sleep! That’s how our kids been growing all these yearsJ
The learning is in the living – When we live well, we learn well. Living the simple life gives us space and time for appreciating what we have, and living in harmony with our environment makes us value life much moreJ
It’s letting kids play – Play is an essential part of growing up and we should allow that in our children wholeheartedly. Imagine kittens not playing, or young chimps sitting quietly to do “homework”. Does not make sense, does it? So why not let kids play?
It’s doing joyful things together – Filling our lives with music & singing, drawing, painting & crafting, running & swimming, moving & dancing……make us happy
It’s taking one step at a time – Success depends on the little steps that we take. So we savour every little effort and enjoy the journey without worrying about the destinationJ
It’s also doing “nothing” - There are days of quiet reflection and contemplation, where the energy levels are low and everyone does not feel like doing anything. So we don’t!
It’s doing things with a purpose – Many people go through life without understanding why they do it. Students study without knowing why. That’s when boredom and dissatisfaction set in. When kids are allowed to think and to set goals for themselves, they will face life with purpose and hope for the future
It’s living a healthy life – That means making educated choices on what we eat, do and create (we definitely do not want to create a bigger mess for the world!). That means, taking what is enough and minimizing on waste. If you do not know where to start, may we suggest you start cutting out buffet lunches & dinners? It’s the most sinful eating on earth!
So, what about homework, exams and college? Oh, sorry but are those more important than doing housework, learning to live responsibly and doing one’s part for society? If not, they don’t figure too much in our livesJ Well, at least not until the kids know what they really want to do!
That’s it. It’s so simple! The challenge is, are YOU brave enough to take the road less traveled? You can take all the expensive highways that everybody else cram into. Or, you could take the free trunk roads that offer better scenic views yet take you to the same destination!
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY!
Wai Leng & KV Soon
31st December 2009
Filed under: Our home schooling experience, Questions & Answers, Unschooling Lessons Tagged: | unschooling
#1 : In my 3 weeks in KL, I spent the first 70% taking as many tolls as toll roads lead to. It’s better to pay for toll than get stuck in the jam. However, I guess the lesson is, if you don’t know where you are (in life) and the conditions affecting the landscape you’re in, you just gotta keep paying in one or more of 3 ways : Time, Money, Energy.
#2 How would you respond to people who say allowing a child to be is simply not instilling in them Industrial Discipline / Protestant Work Ethics and allowing them to commit the sin of Sloth,…that they would get used to it and then be so lazy they can’t get a job or turn up at work on time, complete a project within a timeframe, etc?
Hi Wai Leng & Soon,
I’m Hean See. Me and My husband are very new in unschooling. We are living in Cheras and we have 3 young children, age 1, 3, & 5.
It seems like yourself & Soon are doing well in unschooling program. We would like to seek for your advice. Please help us because we don’t have any supporters around us. Everyone think we are crazy to put our children future in risk.
We are looking for a support group, maybe another unschooling family. We are looking forward for your reply.
God Bless,
From Hean See and Lai
p/s: Please contact me through email
Hi Hean See and Lai, we know a couple of parents in cheras. drop us an email and we will hook you guys up. Are you already homeschooling? How old are your kids?