I wonder if more people would unschool if there was no such thing as homeschool registration. Maybe having to fulfil registration requirements seems daunting. How can we give our kids the freedom to follow their interests when we have to answer to the education department? Can it be done? I think it can, and this was one of the messages I wanted to pass on when I was talking about unschooling in Canberra recently.
This is our 27th year of homeschool registration. In all that time, we have done what we feel is best for our kids. We haven’t compromised. We’ve also never had a problem registering our children despite the tough registration requirements in our Australian state of NSW.
Two things have contributed to our success: a record keeping system that showcases unschooling and my confidence.
Maybe some people feel that homeschool registration is all about government control. The system is out to prevent us from doing what we think our kids need. I prefer to look at homeschool registration in a more positive way. It’s there to ensure all kids get an education. So all I’ve had to do is convince our Authorised Person (AP) that my kids are indeed getting a wonderful education. Which they are.
For years, I’ve been working in the background, converting all my kids’ unschooling learning experiences into homeschool records notes. I’ve labelled everything with schooly language. I’ve made everything look attractive and easy to read. And our AP has always been impressed.
But that’s not all I’ve done. I’ve also talked to our AP as an equal. I’ve shown her that I understand how kids learn. All unschoolers do. We might not have education degrees (actually, my husband does!), but that doesn’t mean we don’t know a lot about education. How many books have we read? How many conversations have we had? We’ve observed our kids, listened to them, and lived with them. We know them, their needs, and the way they learn far better than anyone else. That should give us confidence.
Sometimes we can get frustrated by rules and regulations we have to abide by. However, usually there’s a way for us to do what we feel is best for our kids. With some creative thinking, and by sharing ideas, we can often do more than we think.
In this week’s podcast, episode 161, I’m talking about unschooling while also having to fulfil homeschool registration requirements.
I chat about last week’s unschooling meeting in Canberra where Imogen, Sophie and I spoke about unschooling.
I discuss the following questions:
- Does unschooling work?
- Can registered homeschoolers unschool?
I talk about support groups, having confidence, adopting a positive attitude towards homeschool registration, and lots of other things!
I also share a story about younger unschoolers: Giving a Child Unasked-For Help.
Show Notes
My Unschooling Books
Curious Unschoolers: paperback
Radical Unschool Love: paperback
Blog Posts
Giving a Child Unasked-For Help
Posts About Registration and Homeschool Record-Keeping
How Choosing a Different Path Can Cause Conflict
Where You Can Find Me
Youtube
Photos
I took these photos of my daughters, Imogen and Sophie, when we visited the National Museum of Australia. Isn’t that a fabulous old car in the background? It’s hitched up to a cute pink caravan. I shall have to post a better photo of it another time!
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So, are you a registered homeschooling family who unschools? How do you feel about record keeping? And do you have a child who doesn’t like you giving her/him help without asking?
Very good advice Sue. We have our children’s best interest at heart. We need to speak to our school districts or AP’s with confidence and as an equal because sure enough a positive, confident attitude does come across as being more effective, than an unsure or disagreeable person. It’s unnecessary to be defensive and difficult during these meetings b/c it does more harm than good and it paints a big target on you and your family. So sweet,kind, polite, confident and well organized is key. Thanks Sue?
Deb,
I think our APs want to hear that we know what we’re doing. Being well organised, confident and polite shows them that we’re taking our kids’ education seriously. We can talk on a professional level!