Everything else

Remember that if your “unit study” is the universe, everything will tie in to everything else, so you don’t need to categorize or be methodical to increase your understanding of the world. Each bit is added wherever it sticks, and the more you’ve seen and wondered and discussed, the more places you have inside for new ideas to stick. A joyful attitude is your best tool.

SandraDodd.com/latenightlearning
photo by Alex Polikowsky

Different way

Linda Wyatt wrote:

Unschooling isn't a method of instruction, it's a different way of looking at learning.

—Linda Wyatt

SandraDodd.com/unschool/moredefinitions
photo by Karen James

See the light, lightly

If we concentrate more on politics and the awfulness of school, we're not paying attention to our kids. I won't sacrifice my family on the altar of social change. My family will be a light, not a bonfire.

SandraDodd.com/issues/choice
(A Downside of Choice)
photo by Sandra Dodd

Watching

Jenny Cyphers:

In the newer days years ago, what helped more than anything else was to actually see my kids and what they were actually doing. I would try to see the world from their eyes and see how they lit up and give them more of that. Just being with them and enjoying them for who they were regardless of what they were doing, watching tv, playing dress up, whatever helped keep my energy focused on them, rather than on fear of what they weren't or weren't doing.

—Jenny Cyphers
(original)

SandraDodd.com/jennycyphers
photo by Cátia Maciel

Passionate interests

Joyce Fetteroll, to a parent writing of "addiction":

I do see you put "addiction" in quotes but it's important to relationship-building to avoid negative labels, even in jest. It's especially important if you haven't come up with a positive word to describe it. What would you call a passionate interest in an activity that society approves of? What if he were deeply drawn to chess? Hockey? Cooking?

Passion
Intense interest
Love
Fascination
Eagerness
Enthusiasm

—Joyce Fetteroll

SandraDodd.com/addiction
photo by Rosie Moon

Clear the paths

Sometimes parents say "it will wear off" or "it will run its course" or "he'll get enough eventually," about interests that might lead to a lifelong study.

SandraDodd.com//obsessions/course
photo by Christine Milne

Changing Gears

Deschooling is like changing gears. Go slowly. Go deliberately. SandraDodd.com/gradualchange Don't goof around. Don't stall. SandraDodd.com/doit How can both be true? The clutch and the gas.

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photo by Sandra Dodd, of
coloring by Holly Dodd, years ago, and
light switch plate by Sandra, years ago