By The Green Parent
26th May 2022
CHILD-LED LEARNING
Jenny Eaves lives in Stirlingshire in Scotland. Her nine and seven year old sons have always been home educated
As we have always been very child-led with our children, from birth, it seemed like a natural progression to home educate. We follow their interests. There is no curriculum or pressure to do what schools consider ‘work’. Occasionally I’ll strew resources, or lay out books or activities for them to pick up if they choose to. More often, my children ask questions, we find out the answers together and activities lead on from there. Neither of my children have a particular interest in worksheets or workbooks, so those don’t feature very much.
“My eldest didn’t learn to read until the age of eight, which certainly took a lot of trust”
The kids do love books and I spend a lot of time reading to them. My eldest didn’t learn to read until the age of eight, which certainly took a lot of trust. He learnt himself, through a reading app and choosing easier books. It was definitely worth it; his proud face after he told me that he lost himself in a book is something I will always remember! Our youngest son is happiest when singing and dancing. His dream is to dance on stage, which with his determination I’m sure will happen.
There are no typical days, especially at the moment, but pre-lockdown we met with different groups and friends most days of the week and went to local clubs with school children in the afternoons. At home we play board games, listen to podcasts, read and watch documentaries. Normally we’re not inside much at all – we love exploring.
RESOURCES
GET SUPPORT
Last year Lucy supported over 500 families who joined the unschooling online course and coaching membership, Disco Circle - discolearning.com.
“Together we are befriending our fears, growing our community-building skills, updating old limiting belief systems. With a monthly workshop and a seriously brave and alive online community, Disco Circle might just be the heart-work that will keep your unschooling sustainable and joyful.”
LISTEN Adele’s Revillaging podcast and blog can be found at adelejarrettkerr.com
FOLLOW @black_world_schoolers on Instagram
READ How Children Learn by John Holt and The Unschooling Manual by Jan Hunt
