When we started Homeschooling with Nicholas and Cameron about four years ago, we looked at all the different homeschooling styles. We decided to homeschool both boys for a year, taking them out of school to give them a year at home.
At first I was really worried about what style of homeschooling system to choose – do we go with a full support program that included hours of text book work or do we go with the style of Homeschooling Unschooling?
Homeschooling Unschooling Style
Luckily for our family I found a great support system that meet up at least once a month on the Sunshine coast, and also a great leader who I was able to ring and speak to when ever I had questions. At first we tried to fit (every day) all of the text book work that we could.
Plus join sports activities, monthly meetings at Mary Cairncross Park with other homeschooling groups and also drive to Maleny once a month to a wonderful Archery expert who taught the boys how to use a bow/arrow from his home.
There was so many different homeschooling groups out there, that we ended up having to choose what activities to join, and what days we needed to say “No” so that we could have a day at home! That is where we discovered the beauty of Homeschooling Unschooling Style.
Here is one morning where I found our boys outside before breakfast, and before getting Dressed!
The Benefits Of Homeschooling Unschooling
There are many benefits to Homeschooling Unschooling. It depends on what type of family you are, and what your children enjoy doing the most! Are you a family that love reading, discovering, exploring and are very creative?
Then you would be perfect for the style of Homeschooling Unschooling. So what does the term “Homeschooling Unschooling” really mean. I decided to do a google search to see what terms I could find to fit the description – Wikipedia provided a fantastic explanation. Here is a summary of what Wikipedia states …..”allowing Children to learn through their natural life experiences”…..for a more in deepth understanding of Homeschooling Unschooling use the link provided from wikipedia.
Do You Think You Could Unschool?
So once you understand what your child prefers to do each day, you are able to provide a wide range of educational skills for your child to learn at their best ability. If you are like me (and want the best for your child) then you soon see how much they can learn.
From books, to google searches, to libraries, to DVD, to exploring their surroundings to even letting the children lead the day – you will soon see your child/children naturally Homeschooling Unschooling. Before you know it the day has gone by and they have learnt all about planes, cars, trucks, boats, fish, birds, cows, horses, inventions, science expertments, languages…..you see – the list could go on and on! That is what Homeschooling Unschooling is all about 🙂
Would You Homeschool Unschool?
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Cheers
Lisa
New Life on the Road
Homeschooling unschooling seems like an interesting concept. There are learning opportunities everywhere and kids seem to be able to use their natural instinct to find lessons. Great video of the boys using their imagination.
Jackie Stenhouse recently posted..Why Do Keyword Research
Thanks Jackie,
Sure is fantastic on watching our boys having fun with their own way of living 🙂
Thanks for stopping here at New Life on the Road.
Cheers
Lisa
I love the concept but I hate the word “unschool”. We use “natural learning” (in other words, unschooling) for all areas except language and maths. As we are travelling, there are even more opportunities to learn all the time than usual.
Hello Amy,
At first I didnt like the term “Unschooling” either. But now its doesnt seem to matter if I call it Natural Learning or Unschooling….what matters is listening to our boys with what they want to learn 🙂
I agree that travelling provides more opportunities then ever.
Cheers
Lisa
oh my i think i just found a new blog to love!!!
I have 4 little ones (2,4,5,7yrs) and am seriously looking at home schooling them for a number of reasons – but mainly i have just had this desire to home school them from day one (weird thing – not sure where it came from but its still there even stronger atm even though we have done almost 3 yrs in the public school system).
We have very strong feelings that our youngest will need to be home schooled simply cause he may be needing special support services and the only school where we are located is well… not very equipped for such a thing so…
So im lookign forward to exploring your site even more now :), and picking your brain when the time comes..
(oh and funny enough we are planning a 3 mth camping trip in a few years (when hubbys long service leave comes about and i finish my degree) and will be for certian home schooling for that period!! (i have bets if i start we wont go back to a mainstream school…. )
Sarah @ CCSM recently posted..Review: The Little Engine that Could (DVD)
Hello Sarah,
So happy to hear from another family with young children – who are keen to homeschool! Wished we had started homeschooling years ago 🙂 we love seeing how much our boys can learn, and do learn from not only text books but real life. Its a matter of Homeschooling Unschooling first, and then letting our boys decide what their passion is so that they can learn faster, and remember what they have learnt! We have noticed a huge difference in their behaviour while we are out and about compared to children that go to school 🙂
Cheers
Lisa
Hi Lisa
We too will be traveling Australia in a bus from next year.
I will be homeschooling my oldest boy turning four this year and eventually our youngest who is still just a baby. We are from the Sunshine Coast Qld, and I am finding lots of different information regarding homeschooling, but I just don’t know where to start.
You mention you meet up with a group on the sunshine coast, can i find out who this was, as I think I need to talk to a few people about homeschooling to answer the millions of questions I have.
Thanks Aimee
Hello Aimee,
So looking forward to following your journeys next year as you also travel around in a Bus! I found the homeschooling group through Yahoo Groups. I have gone to Yahoo 7 Groups and typed in “Homeschooling Groups Sunshine Coast QLD” and this is the link it has given me! http://au.groups.yahoo.com/group/SunshineCoastHomeschoolers/ I am no longer in touch with anyone from the group, so I am not sure who is still part of the group, and who is new. I do know that when I first joined the group and meet up with the families I had lots of questions which everyone was more then happy to answer.
Its amazing how many families are out there on the road! I reckon that travelling with younger kids is the best way to go 🙂 The kids will get the best education as they are travelling on the road. If you ever want to talk anytime let me know – happy to have a chat!!!
Cheers
Lisa