I LOVE the unschooling concept. I don't think it's lazy at all - in fact it probably requires MORE parental input than any other type of home schooling. You have to be on the ball, always aware of what possible avenues there are for exploring these interests.
I also believe that unschooling would work best for HG+ kids. We all know that they are more focused, more happy and fulfilled when they direct their learning. We know this leads to a desire for a more in-depth learning model. That is what unschooling is.
Unschooling is allowing your child to direct their own learning. So if they want to go to school for a year, then they go. If they want to do maths workbooks they do that. If they want to know what a plumber does, you arrange for them to help out a plumber for a 2 week period.
You allow them to accompany you in your everyday life, and then when they ask questions, you fill those with answers that will encourage the internal desire for more learning.
And once they express interest in a topic its really not difficult to incorporate other things into that.
How does a business work? (acocunting, maths, marketing, public relations, management, sales, cost acocunting, stock management....)
Tell me about dinosaurs (history, philosphy, science, religion, geography, maths....)
I wonder what its like to be a fireman? (physical fitness, risk taking, safety, precautions, team work, healthy eating...)
What makes waves on the beach be bigger or smaller? (the moon, astronomy, physics, maths, the ocean, lunar cycles, gravity, science, geography....)
see? the concept is that once their desire for specific information is filled they will automatically move on. It's really the same for our kids isn't it?
This is what I really want to do. Aiden's choice would fluctuate between mastering this swimming thing, loads of maths, reading, spelling, making his own books, gardening, playing the violin, helping DH and I out with our businesses, playing with the baby and more. Doesn't sound like a bad way to spend the day. In fact I think this could be more work for the schooling parent but also so much more fun too!
