There's a lot of talk going around about unschooling, homeschooling, free schooling, and other terms, theories, and philosophies when it comes to schooling kids. Concerns about Socialization, sports, music, 'opportunities', testing, colleges, expenses, blah blah blah.
Sure, all this stuff is important to consider, being careful to keep your individual kid in mind and striving, as with all other issues, to determine what is best for the child, the parent, and the family.
Truth is, times have changed. Playgrounds are more 'safe', (where are the swings?) subject matter is 'easier' to grasp (or dumbed down so they don't have work hard), adults can't 'emotionally or physically' scar children (while I'm all for no knuckle bruising, swearing at your teacher shouldn't get the teacher in trouble).
I haven't settled yet on which 'method' to adopt when it comes to 'teaching' my child. she's already taught herself so much without me doing much more than modeling behavior and singing Old MacDonald.
Nonetheless, these issues are lingering in my mind's dark corners exactly for that reason; she has taught herself so much! She knows colors, animals, how to count on her fingers, play a guitar rhythmically, sing, interact with other beings, cut food, potty on the big toilet, put away her laundry, feed the dog, make cookies, flip pancakes, water plants, dress dolls and nurse them and take them potty, work puzzles, stack blocks, climb ladders, and so much more! She's not even 2 yet! At this rate she'll be captaining a submersible by the time she's 10!
All this is swimming in my brain and the mess leaves me pondering the following:
•Emagene will learn
•what she wants to learn will stick
• getting an alphabet puzzle may help her learn all her letters in a fun way
• I could probably handle teaching her until she's in 3rd grade as long as she continues to take music, dance, art or other weekly group activities
• I want to send her to an arts school or Montessori at that point
• I love FreeRangeKids.com and the idea behind never-at-home-schooling
• I may have to put myself on a schedule
• a garden is a must!
• its much easier to travel as she gets bigger. As long as we are smart, atypical tourists we could learn on the road from the real thing (if the world hasn't imploded and humanity calms back down).
• if schools don't exist in 10 years, I'll hire a tutor and take them with us on the road
• the way things are going, I'll probably end up in handcuffs or jail at least once for either adding to the delinquency of or neglecting my child,according to someone else's idea of how I should parent/instruct/live.
