The Unschooling Life

Clips from interviews with Sandra Dodd that didn’t get put elsewhere. Sandra Dodd

Clips from interviews with Sandra Dodd that didn’t get put elsewhere.

Today’s show is made up of random bits and pieces that didn’t go anywhere else. Abigail Larrison talks about her neuroscience research about emotional learning systems, dopamine, about the importance of daydreaming, and of making mistakes. Ama Mazama talks about the challenges that homeschoolers (and black homeschoolers in particular) face. Ben Lovejoy says [...]

Extra bits and pieces that didn't get included anywhere else.

Unschooling can repair the damage done by traditional parenting and schooling approaches. Today we hear stories of healing from Kayla Childs, Tanya Marinelli, Teresa Graham Brett, Sandra Dodd, Leah Rose and Janine D. [...]

Unschooling can repair damage done by traditional parenting and schooling approaches.

yet again, Kayla says something funny….. One of the biggest differences between my pre- and post-deschooling days was the amount of laughter I shared with my kids. While my kids were in school, we could easily go several days without laughing together. When we were unschooling, hardly an hour would go by without a [...]

While my kids were in school, we could easily go several days without laughing together. When we were unschooling, hardly an hour would go by without at least a giggle.

How does unschooling affect sibling dynamics? Daniele says unschooling helps her different children to get the different things that they want and need. Sandra didn’t want to make a rule against hitting, and encourages parents to help siblings work things out. Rose and her two sisters fought when they were little and now they’re [...]

How does unschooling affect sibling dynamics?

The word unschooling: where did it come from and where is it going? Today we hear thoughts about the words unschooling and radical, and as well as some alternate terms for this educational path, from unschooling enthusiasts Ben Hewitt, Rick Rossing, Robyn Coburn, Sandra Dodd and Sue Patterson. And thanks go out to Jonny [...]

Where did it come from? And where is it going?

If children don’t follow a set curriculum, won’t they have “gaps” in their education and fall “behind?” Let’s ask some unschoolers what they think. Colleen has many degrees AND many gaps in her knowledge. Jessica’s 15 yo son is enrolled in UC Berkeley in spite of his education “gaps.” Robin is glad her “late [...]

Sometimes people worry that, if children don’t follow a set curriculum, they will have gaps in their education, or that they will be behind. Is this a valid concern?

What do unschoolers do when their lives are challenged in unforeseen ways? Are kids better off in school during times of hardship or crisis? Today we hear from some families who kept unschooling through hard times. April’s family dealt with mental health challenges and then the death of a son. Marietta’s family unschooled [...]

What do unschoolers do when they encounter hard times?

Miro and Lainie For many people, unschooling as a single parent would be way too hard. But today we hear from some “solo mums” who are unschooling successfully with lots of joy, learning and partnership. Katie O’Connor is co-director of the Talking Stick Learning Center. Danielle Owens is on the board of DrMomma.org [...]

For many people, unschooling as a single parent would be way too hard. But today we hear from some “solo mums” who are unschooling successfully, with joy, learning, abundance and partnership. Katie O’Connor is the director of the Talking Stick Learning Center. Danielle Owens is on the board of DrMomma.org and Saving our Sons. Brie Jontry teaches online classes for West Chester University of Pennsylvania. Tanya Marinelli runs Wellness and Empowerment Camps for Kids. Lainie Liberti facilitates World School Retreats for unschooling teens.

When relatives don’t support unschooling… what then?

Just to be clear, THIS is a picture of a SUPPORTIVE grandpa What can unschoolers do about less-than-supportive friends, neighbors and relatives? Alex Polikowsky gives Grandma something to brag about. Pam Laricchia offers ways to prepare for family gatherings. Sandra Dodd always has lots of tips and tricks for living more joyfully. Sue [...]