how children learn

201: Unschooling, Drifting, Planning and True Freedom

Is unschooling about drifting aimlessly through each day?
Do unschoolers waste time? Or do they live intentionally responding to their needs and making sure they achieve the things that are relevant and important to them?
Do unschoolers direct their lives instead of letting life direct them? Is that the meaning of true freedom?
Does the word ‘planning’ have a place in unschooling?
This week, I’m discussing these questions and more while telling a few stories.
 
Show Notes
Please visit my blog, Stories of an Unschooling Family, to read my post,  Do Unschoolers Drift Aimlessly Through Each Day? It contains today’s show notes.
 
My Unschooling Books
The Unschool Challenge: Kindle
The Unschool Challenge: paperback
Curious Unschoolers: Kindle
Curious Unschoolers: paperback
Radical Unschool Love: Kindle
Radical Unschool Love: paperback
My Amazon Author Page
 
 
 

198: Should Children Be Responsible for Their Own Educations?

Should children be responsible for their own educations? Or is that an irresponsible idea?
This week, I’m exploring lots of questions including:
Is learning an active activity that needs the learner’s cooperation? Is it impossible to force knowledge into a child without resorting to teaching methods that ultimately destroy their natural love of learning?
Is forced learning real learning?
Is it better to unschool and let children learn what’s important to them?
But if we choose unschooling, will our kids, one day, accuse us of side-stepping our duty and not providing them with a good education?
Show Notes
Please visit my blog, Stories of an Unschooling Family, to read my post, Who Should Be Responsible for a Child’s Education, the Parent or the Child? It contains today’s show notes.
 
My Unschooling Books
The Unschool Challenge: Kindle
The Unschool Challenge: paperback
Curious Unschoolers: Kindle
Curious Unschoolers: paperback
Radical Unschool Love: Kindle
Radical Unschool Love: paperback
My Amazon Author Page
 

195: What is Unschooling?

This week, I’m going back to basics: I’m discussing the question, What is Unschooling? I’m also sharing several stories to illustrate my definition:
What Is Unschooling?
Why Unschooling Isn’t a Method of Homeschooling
What Is Unschooling? A Transcript
I also share some links to other unschoolers’ definitions of unschooling.
 
Show Notes
Please visit my blog, Stories of an Unschooling Family, to read my post, Unschool Basics: What Is Unschooling? It contains today’s show notes.
 
My Unschooling Books
The Unschool Challenge: Kindle
The Unschool Challenge: paperback
Curious Unschoolers: Kindle
Curious Unschoolers: paperback
Radical Unschool Love: Kindle
Radical Unschool Love: paperback
My Amazon Author Page

190: Clock Watching, Short Lessons and Curious Questions

After a long break, I’m back!
 
In this episode,
I read one of my stories called Clock Watching and comment on it.
I share some news, including some about the future of my blog and podcast. 
I mention a couple of resources that I hope you’ll find interesting.
And, along the way, I share loads of unschooling thoughts!
 
Show Notes
 
Things mentioned in this episode:
Blog post: Clock Watching
Podcast episode 178: Strewing Unschooling and Charlotte Mason 
Blog post: Unschooling when Charlotte Mason Appeals to Our Hearts
Book: The Blue Castle by LM Montgomery 
Book: Fingers in the Sparkle Jar by Chris Packham
Documentary: Aspergers and Me by Chris Packham
 
My Unschooling Books
Curious Unschoolers: Kindle
Curious Unschoolers: paperback
Radical Unschool Love: Kindle
Radical Unschool Love: paperback
My Amazon Author Page
 
Where You Can Find Me
Youtube: Sue Elvis
Blog: Stories of an Unschooling Family
Instagram: stories_ofan_unschoolingfamily
 
Thank you for listening to this episode!
 
Error: I received enormous bills for my blog hosting and podcast hosting. I didn't receive two bills for my podcast!
 
 

179: Unschooling, Plot Holes and Twonk

My daughter Imogen and I are sharing some unschooling thoughts while we talk about what we’ve been working on, what we’ve been reading and watching, and what’s making us feel excited.
0:00 Intro
00:58 Introducing Imogen
01:47 Returning to Podcasting
05:50 Frost Hands and Writing
14:34 Writing Novels and Unschooling Books
21:57 The Inconvenience of Losing Our Videographer 
32:14 Excited About Exercise
41:59 Escaping into a Novel
48:55 Rereading Retold Fairy Tales
53:52 Masterchef and Kids’ Happiness
01:01:29 The Masked Singer and Twonk
01:08:50 End Things
 
Show Notes
 
Imogen's new novel
Frost Hands
 
Podcasts about NaNoWriMo
Episode 153: More Unschool Writing Ideas and Resources
Episode 140: Difficult Things
 
Imogen's Music Youtube Channel
Imogen Elvis
 
Websites
Skillshare
Walk at Home
 
Books
The Lake House by Kate Morton
The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer
 
Blog Post
Why We Need to Support Our Kids' Choices
 
Video
My 2020 Global Homeschooling Summit interview video
 
My Unschooling Books
Curious Unschoolers: Kindle
Curious Unschoolers: paperback
Radical Unschool Love: Kindle
Radical Unschool Love: paperback
My Amazon Author Page
 
Where You Can Find Me
My Stories of an Unschooling Family community
Youtube
Sue Elvis
Blogs
Stories of an Unschooling Family
Where the Carol Birds Sing
Instagram
stories_ofan_unschoolingfamily
 
Where You Can Find Imogen
Blog
Write.Rewrite.Read
Instagram
write.rewrite.read
 
Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so that we can spread the word about unschooling!
 
Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment!
 

177: Encouraging Unschooling Kids and Mothers

This week, I'm talking about encouragement. I have two encouragement stories to share with you which I'm hoping you haven't heard before. But if you are familiar with them, will you think, "Sue is getting repetitive"? Will you consider giving my podcast a negative review? I hope not. Instead, maybe you'll offer some feedback. 
Do you have any ideas for future episodes of this podcast? What would you like to hear about?
Most of my kids are grown up, so often I don't have any current unschooling news to share with you, (unless, of course, you're interested in hearing about my unschool learning). Over the years, I have explored a lot of unschooling topics multiple times, and sometimes it seems like I have said everything possible. Could it be time to pack up my mic? Move on and do something else?
I'd love to hear your thoughts. I know they will be kind and encouraging! 
 
Episode Details
0:00 intro
1:53 discouraging words and negative podcast reviews
3:46 Crushed by a Label
11:11 story comments
13:07 Encouraging Each Other to Do Difficult Things 
16:08 How I Became a Runner
24:46 what I learnt from my running adventure 
33:01 other encouraging stories 
33:53 I’d love to hear your thoughts!
34:42 Summit interviews worth watching 
38:17 unschooling: something worth hearing about 
38:55 an encouraging unschooling community 
39:48 thank you for listening!
 
Show Notes
Blog Post
Encouraging Each Other to Do Difficult Things
  
The Homeschooling Global Summit
The Homeschooling Global Summit
My 2020 Summit interview
 
My Unschooling Books
Curious Unschoolers: Kindle
Curious Unschoolers: paperback
Radical Unschool Love: Kindle
Radical Unschool Love: paperback
My Amazon Author Page
 
 
Where You Can Find Me
My Stories of an Unschooling Family community
Youtube
Sue Elvis
Blogs
Stories of an Unschooling Family
Where the Carol Birds Sing
 
Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so that we can spread the word about unschooling. A quick encouraging review or rating would help too!
Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment.  I hope to see you inside my unschooling community. And if you haven't already seen it, perhaps you'd like to check out my Homeschooling Global Summit interview!
 
 

176: How Curious Unschooled Kids Learn

This week, I'm talking about how children learn:
0:00 intro
1:30 News: Podcast chapters
2:55 My Homeschooling Global Summit interview
7:25 Unschooling alone: things I’ve been doing and learning about
15:18 Is It Really Okay if Kids Play All Day?
25:53 Comments about the story
30:30 How Ticking Off Boxes Can Be a Waste of Time
35:45 Comments about the story
43:48 Looking ahead and other end things 
 
Show Notes
 
Blog Post
How Ticking Off Boxes Can Be a Waste of Time
 
Video
What's in Your Strewing Basket?
 
The Homeschooling Global Summit
The Homeschooling Global Summit
Our 2019 Homeschooling Global Summit Interviews
 
My Unschooling Books
Curious Unschoolers: Kindle
Curious Unschoolers: paperback
Radical Unschool Love: Kindle
Radical Unschool Love: paperback
My Amazon Author Page
 
Other Things I Mentioned
Powtoon
Adobe Indesign
Adobe Font Packs
Skillshare
 
Where You Can Find Me
My Stories of an Unschooling Family community
Email Me
Youtube
Sue Elvis
Blogs
Stories of an Unschooling Family
Where the Carol Birds Sing
 
Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so that we can spread the word about unschooling. A quick review or rating would help too!
Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment.  I hope to see you inside my unschooling community. And perhaps you'd like to watch my Homeschooling Global Summit interview!
 
 

175: More About Starting Unschooling

This week, I'm talking about starting unschooling and exciting things:
0.00 Intro
0:53 My First Unschooling Zoom Meeting
11:07 A New Podcast Series
 19:20 Time to Unschool 
32.25 There Has Never Been a Better Time to Start Unschooling 
44:10 End Things
 
Show Notes
 
Blog Post
There Has Never Been a Better Time to Start Unschooling
 
The Homeschooling Global Summit
The Homeschooling Global Summit
Our 2019 Homeschooling Global Summit Interviews
 
My Unschooling Books
Curious Unschoolers: Kindle
Curious Unschoolers: paperback
Radical Unschool Love: Kindle
Radical Unschool Love: paperback
My Amazon Author Page
 
Pat Flynn's website: Smart Passive Income
 
Where You Can Find Me
My Stories of an Unschooling Family community
Email Me
Youtube
Sue Elvis
Blogs
Stories of an Unschooling Family
Where the Carol Birds Sing
 
Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so that we can spread the word about unschooling. A quick review or rating would help too!
Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment.  I hope to see you inside my unschooling community. Perhaps you'd like to join me for our next Zoom meetup!
 
 

170: Learning During Difficult Times

I have two free offers so please listen ASAP!
This week:
I'm talking about learning during difficult times.
I tell you how you can get a free copy of my book, Curious Unschoolers (limited time only!).
I share a free unschooling community membership offer.
I'm telling two stories from my book, Curious Unschoolers:
How to Get Kids to Do Their School Work
What Do Children Need to Learn?
And I'm sharing a few Chuck Norris jokes because laughing helps us get through difficult times, doesn't it?
 
Show Notes
 
My Unschooling Books
Curious Unschoolers: Kindle
Curious Unschoolers: paperback
Radical Unschool Love: Kindle
Radical Unschool Love: paperback
My Amazon Author Page
 
Where You Can Find Me
My Stories of an Unschooling Family community
Email Me
Youtube
Sue Elvis
Blog
Stories of an Unschooling Family
 
Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so that we can spread the word about unschooling. A quick review or rating would help too!
Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment.  I hope to see you inside my unschooling community. And please don't forget to pass on the word about my book!
 
 

168: BIG Unschooling Ideas

This week, I'm talking about unschooling ideas:
Should we encourage our kids' ideas even if they don't sound practical?
Are our ideas important?
Is it okay if our ideas fail?
What is my latest BIG idea?
Will the readers of my unschooling books join my community?
What will my community offer?
 
I'm also telling three stories:
The Curious Unschoolers Book Club Is Now Open!
Encouraging Kids' Ideas
Why Sophie Is Glad I Am Her Mother and Other Dusty Week Stories
 
And I have some resources to share.
 
Show Notes
 
My Unschooling Books
Curious Unschoolers: Kindle
Curious Unschoolers: paperback
Radical Unschool Love: Kindle
Radical Unschool Love: paperback
My Amazon Author Page
 
Where You Can Find Me
Email Me: 
Youtube
Sue Elvis
 Instagram
stories_ofan_unschoolingfamily
Blog
Stories of an Unschooling Family
 
Resources
The Burnt Stick
Codecademy
Bind a Book-Make a Journal Pinterest board
Secrets of the Castle
 
Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so that we can spread the word about unschooling. A quick review or rating would help too!
Please feel welcome to visit my blog Stories of an Unschooling Family to leave a comment.  I hope you will consider leaving some feedback about my BIG idea that I can share with listeners in next week's episode!