Blog 14. Unearthing An Organic Journey

The Importance of Discovery

It was a time when I had to be guided by my intuition, to sense the balance between ok and not so for them for education. Where my past experiences, inner compass and a good result for my children, was to work in harmony - holistically. Each day was a new discovery of what would happen and how each day panned out. When I got out of my head, the pressures ahead, listened to them and lived in the moments, it was kinda wonderful.

Very much like taking them home and not knowing what to do when they were born, but some how finding the answers just as we wanted or needed them, came to fruition.

However, taking on education in addition to single parenting was a lot! But as the Mumma Bear I am, I would go to any lengths to ensure my children are listened to and well-cared for, no matter what it took.

In saying that, there was an important step taken in the very beginning. We, "all 3 of us" set down some guide lines. These were important so we could establish roles (not rules), and not be confused by family time and learning time in the beginning.

We all had our time to discuss what we wanted moving forward. The ones I will share here are;

Keigh, to get the answers from the questions he asked.

Jessy, to have fun learning.

Mum

1. I am always your Mum 1st!

2. I am not a teacher, I'm here to guide you

3. If we do not know, then we will do our best to find the answers.

I saw the importance for words in action. So, Keigh and Jessy were being listened to immediately. On the surface, learning is a joourney, and it was not "Mum's" responsibility to find ALL the answers. It will be better for everyone when we know we have the power to be actively involved in what we learn. This conversation opened the gates to taking ownership, to welcome independent learning, to be a seeker for knowledge and know-how and to get excitied to have a voice in where their learning takes them. And I was never going away as their mother. But could put the educator hat to bed.

All satisfied we began our journey doing school at home, in the beginning. It was an expensive year, paying for mainstream readiness, to then move to homeschooling. But we did it, and the house had designated spaces for learning and family time.

The first few things we really enjoyed was not rushing in the morning, to meet the bells, and make sure a packed lunch and the right uniforms were on. Did not miss that crazy time! It was lovely just waking up calm and eager for time for play, learning and outings.

Our days were so full and busy!

Some weeks in, Keigh mentioned he felt like he wasn't learning anything from the mainstream books I had purchased. They were the same books the children would be doing, had they been at school + more.

With this brought to me, I pondered for a moment and then replied to Keigh and said,

"hmm, well, what would you like to learn about?"

Keigh and Jessy's eyes looked straight at me. It was like a light bulb went off in their worlds.

In no time at all, Jessy said, What about stuff in the sea?"

And that was the unveiling of our unschooling / child-led journey, for some time.

But, Keigh and Jessy did not know that yet - neither did I.

When I went searching for alternative education options, the only options I could find at that time were based in Western Australia, and not suited to our values. This did not suit us, so we naturally followed their interest and ideas around what they wanted to learn, and I facilitated that.

Naturally the children made their own lists of what they wanted to learn about in the sea, and we watched documentaries, movies and shows that highlighted their choices. Played games with the themes. To add another layer to their learning, we'd bake banana bread, make sandwiches and take a picnic to the beach.

While at the beach, the boys would look for different marine life and shells, or we'd take a scrap book and pencils and draw the scenery. In the Autumn wed take fallen leaves and compare colours, to invite more shades to play with. Learning was a natural discovery, met with eagerly inspired and willing children every day. What a difference it was from mainstream.

To keep track, schedules and goals were set to balance learning, commitments and life for a well-rounded plan of action moving forward. As a family we discussed what they wanted to learn in the first term, and decided how much time they would spend for each.

After the first two were completed we looked at the time it took, and reevaluated our goals and schedules to align with more realistic time frames. So in the first month, they were quickly recognising what they were capable of. This became a key component to their success for reaching their goals and at times raising the bar.

While Keigh and Jessy were learning about sea life, and we had really gotten into the groove of learning and really enjoying life again, I was so impressed by how they were doing, I thought about my journey when worldschooling and how amazing it would be to incorporate that with them.

At lunch one day, I recall us having a chat about making a big goal. The goal was to complete all their desires for learning about sea life and then as a reward, we would go swim with dolphins.

Looking back, I believe it was that they were learning "actively" and in discovery mode which was new, exciting and fed their curiosity. This was key to their willingness, personalities and enjoyment for learning. When we were finished with each topic it was not a race to get there, either. They genuinely wanted to learn, and sometimes desired to take deeper dives cause their curiosity drove them.

Pictured at ages 8 and 9, Keigh and Jessy, Addy Marie and Jet the dolphin.

It was an incredible time, the energy buzzing around us, was electrifying!

Leading with love,

Addy Marie

Worldschool Tribe, Visionary, Owner & Founder

Learn While Living, Loving the journey...

Is Our - Philosophy In Action-

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