Let Children Lead
Our homeschool days are unpredictable. I “Unschool” Sammy which is an educational philosophy that means learning is child-led and self-directed based on the child’s interests. I am also an eclectic homeschooler which means I implement a variety of educational approaches. They are experiential hands-on, play-based learning approaches.
When Nature Calls
The weather was perfect on this particular day and the outdoors kept calling our names. So Sammy and I packed our bags with colored chalk, an orange ball, plenty of yummy snacks, and water. We applied sunscreen and carried our lawn chairs outside where Sammy picked a certain spot for us to sit. We sat for a while taking it all in. Pretty soon, we intentionally closed our eyes and listened to the beautiful sounds of nature before sharing our thoughts.
When Children Play, They Learn
After a while, we got up to walk around and began talking about our shadows. The path we were on led us to a discovery; a pine cone tree! We froze in time looking all the way up to the top of the tree and made many observations. Afterwards, we ran all around the yard. Sammy was the Gingerbread Man and I chased after him as the little old woman! This segued into us kicking the orange ball around, swinging on the swings, and playing some more.
Tic-tac-toe
When exhaustion got the best of us, we removed the colored chalk from the bag and drew designs and letters on the concrete ground. I even taught Sammy how to play Tic-tac-toe from my own playful childhood. Eventually, we ate our snacks, drank lots of water, and talked underneath the golden hot sun.
Time was not rushed, we went with the flow, and learning happened organically. 5 year-old Sammy was very happy as he played and learned. And I, his mother and progressive homeschool teacher, purposely followed his lead, let learning happen based on his interests, and gained so much knowledge about my son.
When children lead, and we follow as adults, the world opens up to so many of life’s best lessons.
Sammy is truly blessed to have a hands on Mom like you I wish all Gods children had half of what you are to Sammy
Paula…Thank You So Much for the sweetest compliment! I try to lovingly show parents, caregivers, and educators how children can learn in fun, child-interest, hands-on, meaningful ways that are not traditional and rigid. I always appreciate your reading and kind words of my blog post.
Enlightening and enjoyable read.
Thank you Hattie! I am happy that you read my blog and enjoyed it!
Where Sammy leads, I will follow! 👦🏽🚶🏽♀️
Brooklyn…and the same is true for you! Where Brooklyn leads, Sammy will follow! Thank you!
Lesley, Great pictures of Sammy learning Organically! He looks so Happy!
Thank you Gloria! He truly is one happy little boy as we homeschool (unschool)! And I am enjoying the experiences so much myself!