Learning to Let Go ......or How To Kill A Child's Enthusiasm for Learning

One of the challenges of unschooling is learning to let go of preconceptions about how particular learning experiences "should" be conducted. I'm re-learning this all the time and had another lesson today!

Okay, so June Bug likes for me to give him "drawing assignments" to do while I'm in the shower. Understand that the conventional meaning of the word "assignment" is unknown to him. He has never been in a position where he is required to do specific work whether he wants to or not. As a 'teacher', I do not give "assignments". Rather, when he asks me for a drawing assignment, he is really asking for a suggestion of something to try drawing (he draws so often that he sometimes runs out of ideas but wants to keep going anyway!)

So I draw lines to section a paper off into 12 squares. I tell him to draw a letter of the alphabet in each box and something that begins with that letter. I set him up with a clipboard and a step stool in the bathroom and he happily begins drawing while I begin my shower.

Partway through, I peek out, assumedly to 'admire' his progress. But what do I do instead? I end up criticizing instead! The pictures are really good, but I notice that half way down he began writing two letters and drawings in each box. "Why did you put two in one box, you were supposed to do only one per box!" His logic was sound-- he knew that there wouldn't be enough room for all the letters without combining them. Why did it matter if he put two letters in one box? Why did I feel frustrated at his wonderful ability to take my own suggestions and make the project his own? I realized right away that I was effectively killing the project and chided myself for my interference.


Often it is hard to be trusting enough to follow our children's lead. But each day I find myself more conscious of my actions/words and more able to look closely at their consequences. The more we trust in our children's innate desire to learn, the more confident we become in the fact that our children are indeed learning/ In fact, when we stand back and look at what they are doing in their lives, we realize that their rate of growth is simply astounding.

Wishing You New Moments of Clarity,
Mama Randa the Unschooling Mother

My First Doll

Though small and simple, this is my first attempt at dollmaking and I am proud of the result! She now reside in one of several autumnal displays in our home.

Wishing You the Motivation to Create Your Own Seasonal Crafts,
Mama Randa the Amateur Dollmaker

Baby, oh Baby!

See this leotard? I found it last spring at a thrift shop. Sadly, it ended up being just too big, particularly around the chest and hips. Well guess what? It fits perfectly now! And why is that? It's pretty easy to tell. . .

Yup, that's right, there is a tiny little baby cookin' in my oven! 18 weeks old now and expected to move out of my womb in March-- it only has a ninth months lease on the place.

Wishing You the Happiness that Comes from Holding Babies,
Mama Randa the Expectant

What Can Be Learned From?. . . Wildcraft!

activity: Wildcraft! board game

ages: pre-school through adult

story line: Grandma needs you to gather huckleberries from the mountain. Along the way, you get scrapes, bruises, bee stings, and other ailments-- but good thing you've been gathering medicinal plants as you hike up the trail!

description: A cooperative board game in which players work together to gather huckleberries and return them to grandmas while learning about medicinal plants along the way

what can be learned: Identification of medicinal plants, develop an appreciation for plants, foster understanding that plants are medicine, cooperation, counting, following directions, matching, circular movement, clockwise and counter-clockwise directions, sunrise/sunset patterns
This game just arrived in the mail for us last week and it has already become a favorite. The board is beautiful, the gameplay is pleasurable, and the knowledge imparted is priceless! As someone who does not know much about medicinal plants, I am savoring this unique opportunity to learn more. And I love the sense of respect for the Earth that playing this game instills. The game pieces are plastic, but we've been using little wooden autumn peg people instead. This board game is HIGHLY recommended! We ordered ours through For Small Hands (a great Montessori-based catalogue with alot of good, affordable supplies and toys) or it can be ordered directly from the creators at Learningherbs.com.

Wishing you Evenings of Family Board Gaming,
Mama Randa the Player

Hermie and Secrets of the Ocean Realm

Here's our newest family member. Low maintenance, low investment (June Bug paid for it himself), and absolutely wonderful to a boy who is fascinated by ocean life.
Here's a superb ocean documentary series that we found at our library. We have watched half of them now and they are simply fantastic.
Here's one of our new favorite creatures-- the pikeblenny. They live in small holes or discarded worm tubes, but if they are near other blennys they swim around 'fighting' (which is nothing more than opening their mouths at each other) and stealing each others' homes.

Here's another favorite, the Sarcastic Fringehead (the one in the back). Yup, that's really it's name. they open their mouths to be HUGE. Biggest mouth wins a fight. The words "Sarcastic Fringehead" also makes a good insult if you ever need a clever one!

Wishing You the Desire to Follow your Children's Interests,
Mama the Randa Who Sometimes Feels Like a Zookeeper

Sticker Making

I always have to remember not to go to Hobby Lobby when there is nothing in particular I need and I don't have extra money for spontaneous shopping. Well, I broke the rule, and after hearing alot about Xyron sticker makers, I bought one. It's so much fun!

I spent the morning clipping small squares from a magic cabin catalog. Such a cute pleasing result!I asked Dudo to draw a scene for some of the little fairy stickers.


I'm still brainstorming other ideas of ways to incorporate our homemade stickers into our school time. Any ideas?

Wishing You Fun Lessons with Your Children,
Mama Randa the Sticker Maker

Returning to the Online Community

Well, here I am again, hopping back into blogland after a long sojourn. I'm easing back in, so no lengthy, thoughtful, or meaningful posts today. Just something simple and non-commital. Like a picture of Dudo in his soccer uniform- he just started playing this week. It's the first organized group activity he's ever been involved in.He's actually really good at soccer, and even more surprising is that he stays fairly focused and listens well to the coaches (!) Of course, the first practice/game turned into a lesson in sportsmanship-- "We DONT throw grass at the other team" and "We don't insist to the other team that OUR team is the best". All good lessons for a five year old.

Wishing you New Activities for this Season,
Mama Randa the Soccer Mom