StealthSchooling

Note: Today I’m participating in a “blog hop” with a group of parents and educators who write about homeschooling gifted children. For more details, see the bottom of this post."

I think before we actually entered the world of homeschooling/unschooling I was StealthSchooling a bit. I mean, to me it was just living, but when you break things down and describe the world to your children inevitably some learning is going on. In fact, most of our learning is based on our discussions.  One thought triggers another and we are involved in a depthful conversation about anything and everything.

Sometimes the learning is a life lesson and those are by no means unimportant. In some ways they are the most important especially with kids who espouse advanced intellect and book smarts.  The need for life lessons are paramount.  That being said, I realize that I have an inordinate amount of books that focus on learning but in a fun way.  Many even resemble workbooks but not the traditional kind. They are books that make you think.  They are not books crammed with grade level fact tidbits and repetitive content. They are; however, books that we can enjoy together and it feels like a fun game that everyone wants to participate in. It sometimes starts with me asking, "Does anyone want to 'learn' with mommy?" Of course they are learning all day in so many ways but that question indicates that I am available to spend one-on-one/two time with my kids. Honestly, board games and card games fit the learning bill as well. I started unschooling hoping that much of our learning would take place through game play. My kids are just too busy with their own work to always have time to sit with me and play!

As a kid I never liked barbies and dolls that didn't do anything so I guess as a mom my desire to buy one dimensional toys that don't do anything sort of spawned my approach to which toys, books and games I want in my house. And, let me tell you, there are a lot of toys, books and games.  We are overrun with things.  All interesting things but a lot of them. Probably more than necessary but I happen to like new playthings and I happen to like educational play things.  That isn't to say that all toys look inherently educational but what my kids do with them is creative, imaginative and thoughtful...educational enough for me.  

My 4 year old, S, really loves Legos and is quite adept at them.  He will stay focused for hours manipulating 500+ piece kits invariably with missing pieces.  We have more Legos than we have floor and counter space and yet I keep buying more. That may say more about me than my "StealthSchooling" agenda but really Legos feed and nourish my 4 year old in so many ways: spatial awareness, problem solving, perseverance, adaptability, number sense, following steps/directions, focus and concentration and then so much creative, imaginative play once the item has been built.  Is this StealthSchooling?  Why not? He is learning and playing all day and improving valuable skills for the 21st century. Creativity, adaptability, problem solving and critical thinking are some of the most prized qualities related to innovative thinking and leadership.

My 9 year old, L, is pretty responsive to strewing.   Strewing: the act of spreading widely, disseminating.  I am great at strewing.  It embodies, researching and consumerism. I am great at research and online shopping.  L will almost never read a book that I suggest for him to read. He will; however, stumble upon books that are strewn about the house and then on his own volition will end up reading it. It has to be his choice. My car is like a book hoarder's dream. Books are strewn everywhere in the car.   

I think school was so damaging to him with all of the restrictions and structure that strewing is the best way.  I have stepped it up a bit in the digital age so now I am a digital strewer of sorts via email. While I peruse the InterWeb and find appealing websites and products I will send an email over to my son.  It doesn't always have the same effect as book strewing but it does serve its purpose. I have also been known to make start pages automatically open to the sites of my choosing as a not so gentle reminder to visit them ;)

So for us StealthSchooling is a combo of self discovery (strewing) for the kids, time spent with mom learning and a healthy dose of toys, books and games plus a little science channel which is our latest obsession.