Unschooling

The Planning Unschoolers Need

Unschooling and planning… those two words aren’t supposed to go together, right?

Our children are free to follow their interests, there’s no curriculum, no plan to stick to, no boxes we must check. We are free!

While we do have a rhythm to our days, that really can change at a moment’s notice if we wake up and are feeling inspired to go somewhere or do something different. A strict plan would be impossible to stick to while also keeping that spontaneous spirit alive.

I’m often asked about what kind of planning I do. Do I plan interests? Activities? Curriculum? And while the answer is no, I don’t plan my children’s interests for them, there are other types of planning I do as an unschooling parent. Yes, life is our teacher, but at the same time wonderful experiences and learning don’t always just happen if you don’t plan to include them in your life!

Here’s the kind of planning that happens in our unschooling home…

Planning outings

We obviously have to plan where we’re going! For us it’s the same every week. We have two days out with friends, 5 days of afternoon dance classes, and one netball training and game. Around that we have to fit in any other places we want to go, things we want to see, etc. That takes some planning, ha!

We have a great group of unschooling friends and our kids do many different types of events together. You can read more about some of our favourites here. This obviously requires some planning too! It’s so worth it and they get so many valuable experiences from our group.

Planning how to support interests

I don’t plan what my children will learn about. Finding their interests is their job! But when they do become interested in something, whether it’s bugs, Netball, Ancient Egypt, wolves, space, or art, I do some ‘planning’ for myself. Or, more like ‘information gathering’. It is my job to be a resource for them. A bridge between an interest and pursuing it. So I want to be a little ahead of the game. We learn a LOT together and I love that, but I also like to know what’s available out there that might help them so that I can let them know if their interest takes them in that direction. Some questions I ask myself…

What books are available on this topic?
Do we know anyone in real life we can learn from?
Is there anything currently on at the museum/art gallery, etc relating to this?
What hands-on resources are available?
Are there any Outschool classes on this interest?

It’s my job to know what is out there to support them. Now that doesn’t mean I rush in with 10 books and plan outings and buy all the things relating to their interest! That would be taking over and that’s one way to kill an interest fast. What it means is that when they are wanting more information or experience in a certain area I can help them find it. Or if I see there is something on at the art gallery for example I can say ‘Hey! I saw this was on and thought you might like it. Should we go?’ Recently my older children were interested in writing more but didn’t know what to write and I was able to suggest a couple of journaling ideas I had seen. They said no to one and yes to the other!

So no, I don’t plan for them, but I plan for me so that I can be the best support for them that I can!

Planning our day together

We do a bit of day by day planning here. This is something that my older girls have wanted more of as they’ve grown. In the morning our rhythm includes reading books together and then casually talking about what we have on that day and what other things people want to do. We have a little whiteboard where we can write it down. They really enjoy this. I think it’s because it really shows them that what everyone wants to do is a priority and we will make time for all needs.

Planning for future events

Some of the events we do with our unschool group require future planning, e.g. talent show, project fair, book club, and markets. The kids often have to prepare things in advance or practice. I support them in this by making time to be able to prepare, reminding them, and letting them know how long we have until the event. Involvement in our events is always optional but my children love it and generally choose to participate. That doesn’t mean I can just leave them to it though! They are still learning how to manage their time and it can be hard for them to visualise just how long something will take and how long they have left to be able to do it! It’s my job to help them with that.

Yes unschooling means learning is self-directed but that does not mean we take a completely hands off approach. In this case it would lead to stress, overwhelm, and not wanting to be involved in the future therefore missing so many fun opportunities. When supported they are able to achieve their own goals and it becomes such a rewarding experience. As they get more practice they become more adept at planning and time management themselves!

Keeping track of questions and interests

On the wall we have a list of the kids current projects and interests, as well as this question wall! It is so easy to forget about things, especially when there are so many ideas and questions swimming around in those brains! Sometimes the kids want to do ‘something’ but aren’t really sure what and the lists are a really helpful reminder of things they have noted down that they want to pursue!

Keeping Records

The homeschooling requirements are vastly different depending on where you live and you may have to do a lot or a little planning. Generally though, you will probably have to keep records. I keep a journal where I jot down things the kids are up to and take a LOT of photos. It can be a good idea at the end of each month to go through everything that has happened and collate it so you don’t have a giant job at the end of the year.

Continued reading on learning and education

There is always more to learn! I am still constantly reading more and more about learning and education. I read even from different perspectives and take what resonates, leaving what doesn’t. I never want to think I know it all. I want to continue to grow! Check out my latest read here.

We don’t plan in the traditional sense of mapping out our children’s education for them, but unschooling does require some amount of planning. We plan for amazing experiences, and supporting our children the best way we can!