October 16, 2010

Josiah has been playing with "letters" for awhile, but has been mainly interested in numbers. I have noticed an increased interest in writing and reading in the past two weeks. Asking me how to spell words, how to make the letters. I am noticing him recognizing letters on his own. He gets the Bananagram letters out and rearranges them. When I read to him, he wants me to point to each word as I say it, and gets really aggravated with me if I drop my finger. I printed him out some letter charts to use if he wants to, and he's using them. I also draw letters "in the air" with my finger, and we draw letters on each other's backs and try to guess them. I am thrilled, and it's hard not to jump in with some flash cards and worksheets, but I have done really well so far allowing him to lead. Many will not understand the point in this, but this is a snapshot of Unschooling. There is no forced curriculum. His interest in reading and writing is sincere and self-motivated, rather than motivated by promise of rewards ("good" grades, stickers, stars, etc...) or threat of punishments. On the other hand, I am still working on reversing the damage done to Sam's self-motivation and natural curiosity, even in the short amount of time he spent in the world of traditional schooling.

It's so exciting, witnessing them rearrange it and put it together, all on their own....why do we have so little faith in our children? Why do we put "learning" in the "box" labeled "school"? You don't need a classroom, a test, a grade, to pursue your passions. These three things will, most of the time, actually distract you from true learning.