The Unschooling Journey is a weave of myths, contemporary stories, and tales from Pam's journey. It's not a "how to" book-no two paths through the world unschooling have the same twists and turns-yet having a general sense of where you are on your journey can bring valuable insight as you navigate the challenges that will inevitably appear.
You are the HERO of your story.What story do you want to tell about being a parent?Do you want something different for your family?Are you ready to answer the call to unschooling?When Pam’s three children left school back in 2002, she had no idea that one decision would lead her to question so much of the conventional wisdom around learning and parenting. Nor that she would find new answers that made so much more sense! Her children are now all adults, and she can confidently say the journey has been incredible and life-changing—but by no means easy.Inspired by Joseph Campbell’s hero’s journey framework, The Unschooling Journey is a weave of myths, contemporary stories, and tales from Pam’s journey. It's not a “how to” book—no two paths through the world unschooling have the same twists and turns—yet having a general sense of where you are on your journey can bring valuable insight as you navigate the challenges that will inevitably appear. She shares this book as a field guide to the stages and characters you are likely to encounter in some form on your unschooling journey.Characters such as the heralds and guides who call us forward and help us choose our next step. The tricksters and monsters who are determined to confuse and scare us at every turn. And the gods and goddesses who shake us to the core and inspire our inner journey until, at last, we capture the holy grail of our quest: unschooling with confidence and grace.In The Unschooling Journey, you’ll discover:- The value of approaching your journey with insatiable curiosity—beginner’s mind- How living and learning weave together to create a meaningful tapestry of lifelong learning and joy- The hidden depths of self-awareness—for ourselves and our children—that come when we move away from control as a parenting tool- The profound impact of judgement and shame, and how to find your way to kindness and compassion with your children- That unschooling, like life, is a practice, and there is real magic in its messinessTogether, let’s explore your unschooling journey.
Sandra Dodd's Big Book of Unschooling is an insightful summary of her website, with hundreds of practical ideas about how to move from schoolish thinking to living a life of natural learning and joy. Its more clearly landmarked journey flows beautifully and feels deeper; more connected and personal.
No one is immune to the byproducts of compulsory schooling and standardized testing. And while reform may be a worthy cause for some, it is not enough for countless others still trying to navigate the tyranny of what schooling has always been. Raising Free People argues that we need to build and work within systems truly designed for any human to learn, grow, socialize, and thrive, regardless of age, ability, background, or access to money. Families and conscious organizations across the world are healing generations of school wounds by pivoting into self-directed, intentional community-building, and Raising Free People shows you exactly how unschooling can help facilitate this process. Individual experiences influence our approach to parenting and education, so we need more than the rules, tools, and “bad adult” guilt trips found in so many parenting and education books. We need to reach behind our behaviors to seek and find our triggers; to examine and interrupt the ways that social issues such as colonization still wreak havoc on our ability to trust ourselves, let alone children. Raising Free People explores examples of the transition from school or homeschooling to unschooling, how single parents and people facing financial challenges unschool successfully, and the ways unschooling allows us to address generational trauma and unlearn the habits we mindlessly pass on to children. In these detailed and unabashed stories and insights, Richards examines the ways that her relationships to blackness, decolonization, and healing work all combine to form relationships and enable community-healing strategies rooted in an unschooling practice. This is how millions of families center human connection, practice clear and honest communication, and raise children who do not grow up to feel that they narrowly survived their childhoods.
As more and more parents challenge the assumptions of the school system, their curiosity about unschooling grows, and often one of their burning questions is: What does day-to-day life look like for an unschooling family? Pam Laricchia has been unschooling her three children for over a decade. "Life Through the Lens of Unschooling," like day-to-day life, meanders here and there, covering a wide array of topics. You'll find essays tackling everything from learning to read to visiting relatives, all organized around nine key words that have been woven into the fabric of their unschooling lives: deschooling, learning, days, parenting, relationships, family, lifestyle, unconventional, and perspective. The theme is life; the lens-unschooling. Drawn from her popular blog at livingjoyfully.ca, imagine this book accompanying you, a joyful companion on your unschooling journey, as you dig deeper into your understanding of unschooling and what it might look like day-to-day in your family. If you're interested in learning more about the principles behind learning and living with unschooling, Pam explores them in her books "Free to Learn: Five Ideas for a Joyful Unschooling Life" and "Free to Live: Create a Thriving Unschooling Home."
The groundbreaking book that explains Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)--and presents a drug-free approach that offers hope for parents--now revised and updated. Does your child exhibit... Over-responsivity--or under-responsivity--to touch or movement? A child with SPD may be a "sensory avoider," withdrawing from touch, refusing to wear certain clothing, avoiding active games--or he may be a "sensory disregarder," needing a jump start to get moving. Over-responsivity--or under-responsivity--to sounds, sights taste, or smell? She may cover her ears or eyes, be a picky eater, or seem oblivious to sensory cues. Cravings for sensation? The "sensory craver" never gets enough of certain sensations, e.g., messy play, spicy food, noisy action, and perpetual movement. Poor sensory discrimination? She may not sense the difference between objects or experiences--unaware of what she's holding unless she looks, and unable to sense when she's falling or how to catch herself. Unusually high or low activity level? The child may be constantly on the go--wearing out everyone around him--or move slowly and tire easily, showing little interest in the world. Problems with posture or motor coordination? He may slouch, move awkwardly, seem careless or accident-prone. These are often the first clues to Sensory Processing Disorder--a common but frequently misdiagnosed problem in which the central nervous system misinterprets messages from the senses. The Out-of-Sync Child offers comprehensive, clear information for parents and professionals--and a drug-free treatment approach for children. This revised edition includes new sections on vision and hearing, picky eaters, and disorders such as autism, among other topics.
Unschooling isn't a technique - it's living and learning naturally, lovingly, and respectfully together. The Unschooling Unmanual features 11 essays by 8 writers: Nanda Van Gestel, Jan Hunt, Daniel Quinn, Rue Kream, Kim Houssenloge, Earl Stevens, and Mary Van Doren. Through engaging personal stories, examples, and essays, the writers offer inspiration and encouragement for seasoned and prospective unschoolers alike. This 2nd edition now includes Jan Hunt's Ten Tips for New Unschooling Parents. ''A concise, readable and accessible manifesto for natural learning and trust in children, The Unschooling Unmanualbrings together contributions from eight authors in eleven very readable essays. The Unmanual is a great introduction to learning and unschooling for people coming from an educational perspective... at the same time it can be an invaluable confidence booster for people already on an unschooling journey.'' - Arun Pradhan, The Parenting Pit ''The Unschooling Unmanual is a unique and empowering book about the growing trend of unschooling. It is the book to give to doubtful or fearing partners and family as well as anyone considering or interested in this life.'' - Dayna Martin, Unschooling America
To Unschoolers, Learning Is As Natural As Breathing Did you know that a growing percentage of home schoolers are becoming unschoolers? The unschooling movement is founded on the principle that children learn best when they pursue their own natural curiosities and interests. Without bells, schedules, and rules about what to do and when, the knowledge they gain through mindful living and exploration is absorbed more easily and enthusiastically. Learning is a natural, inborn impulse, and the world is rich with lessons to be learned and puzzles to be solved. Successful unschooling parents know how to stimulate and direct their children's learning impulse. Once you read this book, so will you!