{"id":7251,"date":"2020-10-12T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-10-12T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/?p=7251"},"modified":"2021-05-25T15:55:51","modified_gmt":"2021-05-25T19:55:51","slug":"unschooling-elementary-school","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/unschooling-elementary-school\/","title":{"rendered":"Unschooling Elementary School"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/homeschooling-during-a-pandemic-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7263\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/homeschooling-during-a-pandemic-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/homeschooling-during-a-pandemic-320x240.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/homeschooling-during-a-pandemic-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/homeschooling-during-a-pandemic.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are investigating unschooling elementary school, this is for you. Tired of zoom classes and wondering how to implement unschooling? Here\u2019s why the Covid 19 pandemic is the perfect time to begin unschooling. How we homeschool with children in fourth grade, second grade, pre- k (and a baby). The importance of play for children and why unschooling might be the best way to set your kids up for success.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s as if it was always meant to be. When my littles were really little, I loved <a href=\"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/sahm-strategies-for-sanity\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"1207\">being home with them<\/a>. I loved taking them on adventures, coming up with activities to play and explore, and getting to be there for all those moments of discovery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Seeing them explore the world, gave me a new set of eyes. Suddenly, nature became more beautiful, the wind swaying branches more peaceful, the trickle in a stream more lovely. Even the bulldozers constructing tall architectural wonders, became something to appreciate and marvel at. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But then life happened, they started getting bigger and preschool became the best way for them to socialize with peers and for me to get a break. School was not far behind&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<p>This post may contain <a href=\"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/disclosure\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"863\">affiliate links<\/a>. Thank you for supporting our work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/baby-at-play-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7264\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/baby-at-play-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/baby-at-play-320x240.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/baby-at-play-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/baby-at-play.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_64 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-light-blue ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Skip ahead!<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-662dc9537cfb7\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-662dc9537cfb7\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/unschooling-elementary-school\/#Background-Our-Experience-with-Public-and-Private-School\" title=\"Background: Our Experience with Public and Private School\">Background: Our Experience with Public and Private School<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/unschooling-elementary-school\/#Gifted-and-Talented-in-New-York-City\" title=\"Gifted and Talented in New York City\">Gifted and Talented in New York City<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/unschooling-elementary-school\/#Public-School-in-New-York-City\" title=\"Public School in New York City\">Public School in New York City<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/unschooling-elementary-school\/#Private-School-in-New-York-City\" title=\"Private School in New York City\">Private School in New York City<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/unschooling-elementary-school\/#Challenges-with-School\" title=\"Challenges with School\">Challenges with School<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/unschooling-elementary-school\/#Zoom-School\" title=\"Zoom School\">Zoom School<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/unschooling-elementary-school\/#Why-This-is-the-Perfect-Time-to-Begin-Homeschooling\" title=\"Why This is the Perfect Time to Begin Homeschooling\">Why This is the Perfect Time to Begin Homeschooling<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/unschooling-elementary-school\/#1-Were-Already-Home\" title=\"1. We&#8217;re Already Home\">1. We&#8217;re Already Home<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/unschooling-elementary-school\/#2-Virtual-schooling-does-a-disservice-to-our-children\" title=\"2. Virtual schooling does a disservice to our children \">2. Virtual schooling does a disservice to our children <\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/unschooling-elementary-school\/#3-Consistency\" title=\"3. Consistency\">3. Consistency<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/unschooling-elementary-school\/#4-Weekends-are-the-best\" title=\"4. Weekends are the best\">4. Weekends are the best<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/unschooling-elementary-school\/#5-Freedom\" title=\"5. Freedom \">5. Freedom <\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/unschooling-elementary-school\/#Choosing-Unschooling\" title=\"Choosing Unschooling\">Choosing Unschooling<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/unschooling-elementary-school\/#Respecting-the-Importance-of-Play\" title=\"Respecting the Importance of Play\">Respecting the Importance of Play<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/unschooling-elementary-school\/#Giving-the-Gift-of-Time\" title=\"Giving the Gift of Time\">Giving the Gift of Time<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/unschooling-elementary-school\/#Some-skills-we-would-like-our-children-to-learn\" title=\"Some skills we would like our children to learn:\">Some skills we would like our children to learn:<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/unschooling-elementary-school\/#How-we-are-implementing-unschooling-right-now\" title=\"How we are implementing unschooling right now\">How we are implementing unschooling right now<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/unschooling-elementary-school\/#Life-Skills\" title=\"Life Skills\">Life Skills<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/unschooling-elementary-school\/#Language\" title=\"Language\">Language<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/unschooling-elementary-school\/#Literacy\" title=\"Literacy\">Literacy<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/unschooling-elementary-school\/#Social-Skills\" title=\"Social Skills\">Social Skills<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/unschooling-elementary-school\/#Arts\" title=\"Arts\">Arts<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/unschooling-elementary-school\/#Independent-Learning\" title=\"Independent Learning\">Independent Learning<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/unschooling-elementary-school\/#Play\" title=\"Play\">Play<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/unschooling-elementary-school\/#A-Final-Word-on-the-Importance-of-Play\" title=\"A Final Word on the Importance of Play\">A Final Word on the Importance of Play<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-26\" href=\"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/unschooling-elementary-school\/#Read-More-About-Unschooling\" title=\"Read More About Unschooling\">Read More About Unschooling<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Background-Our-Experience-with-Public-and-Private-School\"><\/span>Background: Our Experience with Public and Private School<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Gifted-and-Talented-in-New-York-City\"><\/span>Gifted and Talented in New York City<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When our eldest, N, was four years old, we had just moved to Brooklyn. Not two months into the school year passed before we were pressured to sign up for the infamous New York City <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/gothamist.com\/news\/why-are-nyc-parents-so-upset-idea-scrapping-gifted-and-talented-programs\" target=\"_blank\">gifted and talented test<\/a>. <em>What the heck, I guess we&#8217;ll do it<\/em>. I drew the line at preparing for the exam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On a cold winter day we hunker down in the school gymnasium for several hours. The kids got to play around with balls, while we waited for N&#8217;s turn to complete his test. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When the results were back and it\u2019s time to register for school it seemed like we should just do it. I mean all these people are paying for tutoring and what not and our kid somehow miraculously got into a gifted and talented program? <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When we went to tour the school I was reluctant<em>. It didn\u2019t feel right<\/em>. Public school felt so institutional. But we really hadn\u2019t planned on private school, the admission deadlines had passed months ago and we figured it would be good enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At this point I flippantly said, well I would homeschool if I had a backyard. But that obviously wasn\u2019t the case <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/what-its-really-like-to-live-in-new-york-city-with-kids\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"4656\" target=\"_blank\">living in New York City<\/a>. Being with three small children all day long seem too overwhelming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Public-School-in-New-York-City\"><\/span>Public School in New York City<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Our public school experience was extremely frustrating. So much felt completely inappropriate in terms of the development of our five-year-old boy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We went from a completely play-based amazing pre-K program to suddenly asking this five-year-old boy to sit at a desk for most of the day. Recess and gym time were extremely limited and often times canceled for inclement weather or other random school events that required the gym space. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Then there was eating lunch in a huge, noisy cafeteria. Honestly when I walked into that cafeteria, I was astounded that anyone could eat there let alone a child. And don\u2019t even get me started on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.schools.nyc.gov\/school-life\/food\/school-meals\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.schools.nyc.gov\/school-life\/food\/school-meals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">school lunch program<\/a> (which in New York City is free for all students). <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As alarmed as I was by the rigidity of the school, I gave my best effort to see if I could implement some changes for the better by getting involved in the PTA and even becoming an officer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That said, the priority of the administration was just <em>to keep things running<\/em> and the well-being of my child never seemed like a priority. As long as he was <em>good for their statistics<\/em>, meaning could do English language arts and math at grade level, that was good enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Private-School-in-New-York-City\"><\/span>Private School in New York City<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Needless to say, by the time the next fall rolled around, we were actively looking at other school options in New York.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We feel extremely lucky to have had the opportunity to send our kids to a wonderful private school for the next two years. (By this time B was also in elementary school).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I have nothing but good things to say about the curriculum and the environment of the school. However, there is one thing that felt like a sacrifice. And I do not mean the commute which took us a solid hour each way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Challenges-with-School\"><\/span>Challenges with School<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>That sacrifice was time away from my children. As much as the learning was wonderful (and <em>it was<\/em>, and I truly can\u2019t emphasize it enough) the long days meant my children were out of the house from 7:30 in the morning to 5 p.m. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(I do realize that for families with two working parents this may sound completely par for the course but for me personally it felt like a long time away from them.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It felt like during the week, I only got to see them when I was rushing them to eat breakfast, get dressed, and leave the house, or when they were back home hungry, tired and cranky. It was hard to get quality time during the week, and even weekends felt rushed. There was never enough time to do fun things together as a family, let alone have time with the children one on one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Zoom-School\"><\/span>Zoom School<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When <a href=\"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/how-to-plan-your-day-at-home-indoor-activities-with-kids\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"6872\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">everything shut down<\/a> last spring suddenly we were in a brave new world. We had already discussed moving and school options for the following year but had decided to wait until our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/family-update-quarantine-with-little-kids-nyc-style\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"6925\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">baby boy was born<\/a> to finalize any decisions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Initially being all together all the time was very hard. There have been so many articles written about this, but anyone with children can understand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, flexibility is key. Just as in the past, whenever something is amiss, we take stock of where we are at and make the best decision we can come to at that time. Which led us to revisit homeschooling. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/elementary-skills-woodworking-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7265\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/elementary-skills-woodworking-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/elementary-skills-woodworking-320x240.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/elementary-skills-woodworking-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/elementary-skills-woodworking.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why-This-is-the-Perfect-Time-to-Begin-Homeschooling\"><\/span>Why This is the Perfect Time to Begin Homeschooling<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1-Were-Already-Home\"><\/span>1. We&#8217;re Already Home<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Everyone is home a lot of the time. Even many children that are still enrolled in the public school system are in virtual schooling. This means that there are always other children to play with in the neighborhood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2-Virtual-schooling-does-a-disservice-to-our-children\"><\/span>2. Virtual schooling does a disservice to our children <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I do not believe that elementary aged children are meant to be in front of a computer screen for several hours a day. Despite the fact that some synchronous learning is happening in virtual school, meaning that teachers are teaching live lessons and giving children the opportunity to ask questions, it\u2019s hard to tell how much they are getting out of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I strongly believe that screens should not be the primary way our children learn. We were able to get away from this in private school (until that too became virtual). Not to mention the <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/27012122\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/27012122\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">EMF concerns<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3-Consistency\"><\/span>3. Consistency<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the reason many children in our school district chose virtual schooling is so that they wouldn\u2019t be in and out of school depending on possible future outbreaks, and because parents are working from home anyway. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Homeschooling is the best way to keep a consistent schedule. If we wanted, we could even synchronize our weekdays and weekends. It is easy to keep up a daily <a href=\"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/our-routine\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"4015\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">routine<\/a> when much of the learning is happening in and around the home. We can all agree that most children thrive having a consistent routine no matter what you choose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4-Weekends-are-the-best\"><\/span>4. Weekends are the best<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Because we have plenty of time to practice our age specific learning during the week, weekends can be focused family fun. Not only can we go out on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/hiking-austin-with-kids\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"6961\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">longer hikes<\/a> and farther away activities, we can also work on big projects all together. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It doesn\u2019t mean that we never have errands or chores to do on the weekend, but we are certainly able to minimize them by including them throughout our week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5-Freedom\"><\/span>5. Freedom <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The pandemic gave us freedom from a lot of our supposed responsibilities, and pressure for socializing, team sports, and general tiger parenting. After unenrolling our children from all activities for a period of time, we can more clearly see where we want to focus our efforts, time and resources. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Traditionally I think many of us think of homeschooling as something done by families that are very religious or otherwise reluctant to send their kids to school. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The freedom from peer pressure surrounding our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/the-gaps-diet-with-kids-explained\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"5716\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">food choices<\/a>, freedom to adjust our routine and timeline as often as we need, and the freedom from homework has been wonderful for our children.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Choosing-Unschooling\"><\/span>Choosing Unschooling<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Respecting-the-Importance-of-Play\"><\/span>Respecting the Importance of Play<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the things I really like about unschooling is that it respects children in a way that doesn\u2019t happen when they are forced into routine by their adults.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even in our wonderfully progressive private school where the children had a lot of leeway to discuss opinions, explore learning beyond what was presented to them, and have meaningful discussion with other children and adults, at the end of the day the routine was dictated from above. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Administrators and teachers dictated a general schedule, what subject matter was being learned when, and certainly what times were appropriate for eating and playing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, despite the fact that I think it is important for children to have a routine of some sort, and to learn how to live within a routine that is dictated by somebody else, something they may will have to do as adults, I do think there is a place to question <em>how important this really is<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are still plenty of opportunities in their lifetime for them to learn &#8220;the hard way&#8221; how to deal with that. In the meantime, I think we can respect them as individuals with unobstructed learning and playtime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Giving-the-Gift-of-Time\"><\/span>Giving the Gift of Time<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We are using our time to think about what things our children really need to know. What are the skills, hard and soft, we would like them to develop in the next few years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One aspect that is really wonderful about taking a laissez-faire approach to schooling is that we don\u2019t need to focus on all the subjects all the time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My experience and observation of my kids in their schools both, public and private, falls very much in line with Maria Montessori\u2018s critical phases. I absolutely agree with her that there are time periods in their life when children are ready and willing to learn certain skills. Despite the best intentions of our politicians, this is not reflected in the educational curriculums provided to most children. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Just one example is the push to teach five-year-olds to read in kindergarten when many of them are not developmentally ready for that until closer to age six or even later. Why spend months and months frustrating children with memorizing sight words when they can easily learn the same words within just a few weeks when they\u2019re actually ready to learn them?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Some-skills-we-would-like-our-children-to-learn\"><\/span>Some skills we would like our children to learn:<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Here is a current peak at our ever evolving, and non exhaustive, list of things we would like our children to have as we prepare them for the adult world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol><li>Reading and writing<\/li><li>Basic math needed for a functioning adult- arithmetic (focus on mental math) and some basic algebra and geometry.<\/li><li>Important benchmarks in history&nbsp;and art (take this as a broadly as possible)&nbsp;<\/li><li>Geography and cultures of the world: curiosity to explore and learn always, respect and appreciation for others.&nbsp;<\/li><li>Self care (hygiene and good wellness habits)<\/li><li>Cooking skills<\/li><li>Household maintenance skills<\/li><li>Critical thinking<\/li><li>Living our values&nbsp;<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/preschooler-at-play-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7266\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/preschooler-at-play-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/preschooler-at-play-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/preschooler-at-play-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/preschooler-at-play-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/preschooler-at-play.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How-we-are-implementing-unschooling-right-now\"><\/span>How we are implementing unschooling right now<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Life-Skills\"><\/span>Life Skills<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The children have a detailed list of their responsibilities which are contributions to our household and their own well-being. These are all things that they were doing beforehand but we put up a list so that they can remind themselves of our basic expectations. This is our focus on life skills. (And not much has changed since we started unschooling).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>See printables for a <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/how-to-simplify-your-morning-routine-free-printable\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"5117\" target=\"_blank\">Morning Routine<\/a> and an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/ways-to-improve-your-weekday-evenings\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"6764\">Evening Routine<\/a>, at the links, along with advice for simplifying those times of the day with kids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Language\"><\/span>Language<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The only formal type of schooling we are doing is continuing with their second language workbooks.&nbsp;[Update- we are also working through some math workbooks].<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Literacy\"><\/span>Literacy<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Our two big kids are already reading independently and they do so for several hours a day of their own volition. We are supporting that by getting new books for them, and conducting conversations about what they are reading. Are they writing essays? No. Would I have written an essay as an eight-year-old for no reason? No. Would you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But, when they need to write it seems they are perfectly capable of doing it! For example when they make up a game and want to write down the rules, or when they want to write their parents a note.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As for the two younger kids, they are being read to daily. And we will cross the reading bridge when we get there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Social-Skills\"><\/span>Social Skills<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I believe that one of the main reasons we send our children to school besides \u201clearning\u201d and let\u2019s be perfectly honest- childcare, is to socialize with other kids. Thankfully we have made friends in the neighborhood and the children get to play outside daily. I actually have been finding it fascinating to see how they are learning to navigate these relationships and group dynamics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Arts\"><\/span>Arts<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We have always had a lot of different instruments in the house and many, many types of art supplies. The children are free to use the vast majority independently whenever they want. And they can use some &#8220;special supplies&#8221; when they ask. This has always been the case, even when they went to school, so nothing has changed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Independent-Learning\"><\/span>Independent Learning<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When the children asked to delve deep into a subject we are there to support them. We investigate subjects together, ask questions, and are interested in supporting their innate creativity.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For the adults, this is where the homeschooling &#8220;work&#8221; is. It is much more fun and much more interesting for us, than supervising worksheets and filling in reading logs ever was!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Play\"><\/span>Play<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The rest of the day, meaning most of the day, <strong>they are free to play<\/strong>.&nbsp;This is absolutely the best way for children to learn, in my opinion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They do <em>a lot<\/em> of building, with legos, magnatiles and wood blocks. There are lots of imaginative scenes going on with figurines. Soccer fields, skateboard ramps and crazy contraptions are tested out. Recently they are interested in building actual furniture and creating things that last.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They play games with rules and without, and some with rules that change along the way. I see them making up new games (recently things like hockey with a soccer ball).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They stop to create. They plan and they improvise. They fight, make up, and figure it out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They observe. They stop to see the frogs, insects and animals that cross our path. They notice the world around them: Amazon delivery trucks to neighbors fixing a fence. They notice every damn thing their parents do. Right and wrong, at our best and our worst.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is fascinating and joyful to be a part of their journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><em>Aside:<\/em> When we first moved from New York City <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/family-update-quarantine-with-little-kids-nyc-style\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"6925\" target=\"_blank\">under lockdown<\/a> our kids were reluctant to spend too much time outside. So during our initial time here, <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/prioritizing-outside-time-with-kids\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"8367\" target=\"_blank\">outside time<\/a> was a requirement. <\/p><p>Now that they are much more self regulated we do not have to force them outside they willfully go outside and know that it is fun and good for them to explore, play games, and just to be in the fresh air.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/elementary-art-table-homeschooling-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7267\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/elementary-art-table-homeschooling-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/elementary-art-table-homeschooling-320x240.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/elementary-art-table-homeschooling-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/elementary-art-table-homeschooling.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A-Final-Word-on-the-Importance-of-Play\"><\/span>A Final Word on the Importance of Play<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As I stated in the very beginning, unschooling feels like coming home. It feels right. It feels like how our children were always meant to learn before schools became akin to factories for teaching children. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In play they get to practice skills, uninterrupted until they deem fit to stop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In play they are learning to navigate the world. To figure out relationships. To see how things work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In play they get to make mistakes in a safe environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Time and time again, I have heard from friends, that when schools shut down, they realized <em>what<\/em> their children were actually being taught in school. But also how important school was to the life they had set up: childcare for 6+ hours a day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When schools return to a &#8220;normal&#8221; functioning, will we send our children back? It&#8217;s something to think about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Will this be how we continue teaching our children for the remainder of their school age days? Maybe, maybe not. But right now, it is the right choice for us. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Read-More-About-Unschooling\"><\/span>Read More About Unschooling<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If I have piqued your interest, you may want to do some reading and figure out if the unschooling style of homeschooling is for you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I have a blog post about the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/prioritizing-outside-time-with-kids\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"8367\">benefits of spending time outdoors<\/a>, which is an integral part of our unschooling homeschool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If I had to recommend just one book to read it would be this one: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Free-Learn-Unleashing-Instinct-Self-Reliant\/dp\/0465084990?_encoding=UTF8&amp;qid=1614021441&amp;sr=8-1&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=atinytrip0d-20&amp;linkId=08885f4432456eb2d1733d307956cc5b&amp;language=en_US&amp;ref_=as_li_ss_tl\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Free-Learn-Unleashing-Instinct-Self-Reliant\/dp\/0465084990?_encoding=UTF8&amp;qid=1614021441&amp;sr=8-1&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=atinytrip0d-20&amp;linkId=08885f4432456eb2d1733d307956cc5b&amp;language=en_US&amp;ref_=as_li_ss_tl\">Free to Learn<\/a> by Peter Gray.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Free-Learn-Unleashing-Instinct-Self-Reliant\/dp\/0465084990?_encoding=UTF8&amp;qid=1614021441&amp;sr=8-1&amp;linkCode=li2&amp;tag=atinytrip0d-20&amp;linkId=97e5b5d7ba2056ae34644b827ed16aa4&amp;language=en_US&amp;ref_=as_li_ss_il\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" border=\"0\" src=\"\/\/ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/q?_encoding=UTF8&amp;ASIN=0465084990&amp;Format=_SL160_&amp;ID=AsinImage&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;WS=1&amp;tag=atinytrip0d-20&amp;language=en_US\"><\/a><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/e\/ir?t=atinytrip0d-20&amp;language=en_US&amp;l=li2&amp;o=1&amp;a=0465084990\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" style=\"border:none !important; margin:0px !important;\">\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Have you considered homeschooling? How about unschooling?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/why-you-must-consider-unschooling-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7454\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/why-you-must-consider-unschooling-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/why-you-must-consider-unschooling-213x320.jpg 213w, https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/why-you-must-consider-unschooling.jpg 735w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you are investigating unschooling elementary school, this is for you. Tired of zoom classes and wondering how to implement unschooling? Here\u2019s why the Covid 19 pandemic is the perfect time to begin unschooling. How we homeschool with children in fourth grade, second grade, pre- k (and a baby). The importance of play for children &hellip;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"> <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/unschooling-elementary-school\/\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Unschooling Elementary School<\/span> Read More &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7266,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[119],"tags":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/preschooler-at-play.jpg",1280,853,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/preschooler-at-play-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/preschooler-at-play-320x213.jpg",320,213,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/preschooler-at-play-768x512.jpg",768,512,true],"large":["https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/preschooler-at-play-1024x682.jpg",1024,682,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/preschooler-at-play.jpg",1280,853,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/preschooler-at-play.jpg",1280,853,false],"yarpp-thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/preschooler-at-play.jpg",120,80,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Daphna","author_link":"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/author\/admin\/"},"uagb_comment_info":3048,"uagb_excerpt":"If you are investigating unschooling elementary school, this is for you. Tired of zoom classes and wondering how to implement unschooling? Here\u2019s why the Covid 19 pandemic is the perfect time to begin unschooling. How we homeschool with children in fourth grade, second grade, pre- k (and a baby). The importance of play for children&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7251"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7251"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7251\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7266"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7251"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7251"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.atinytrip.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7251"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}