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Looking back, I can proudly say that I homeschooled my girls in a non-traditional manner, and now as they've grown into independent young women, they truly cherish the experiences and opportunities that unschooling provided them.

SOLE Education - Reflecting on Our Homeschooling Journey

It was always fascinating to share with others that I homeschooled my kids, as their reactions ranged from admiration to skepticism. Many older retired couples we encountered during our travels found the concept of traveling and homeschooling quite inspiring. Meanwhile, the younger generation often expressed disbelief, saying, "You're a saint, I could never homeschool my kids."

Explaining our homeschooling approach was often the most challenging part of these conversations. People typically envisioned a traditional setting with kids seated at a kitchen table while I lectured in front of a chalkboard. However, that model didn't resonate with us. While I respected those who followed a more conventional path, I knew it wasn't the right fit for us.

Our homeschooling journey was not without its misconceptions. There was a prevailing belief that unschooled kids lacked discipline and proper education, spending their days idly watching TV or playing video games indoors. While we certainly had days like these – like the time we indulged in a marathon of "Hobbit" and "Lord of the Rings" movies due to three days of rain – they were exceptions rather than the rule. In reality, we were constantly learning, seizing every opportunity to expand our knowledge.

SOLE Education - Reflecting on Our Homeschooling Journey

Now, as my girls have blossomed into adulthood, they look back fondly on their unschooling experience. They appreciate the freedom it afforded them to explore their interests and passions, and they embrace life with a zest for learning and adventure. As a parent, witnessing their joy and fulfillment is the greatest reward, affirming that our decision to embrace unschooling was indeed the right one.

SOLE, or Self-Organized Learning Environment, is a concept that emphasizes independent and collaborative learning in a dynamic setting. It encourages learners to explore topics of interest, ask questions, and work together to find answers, all within a framework that fosters autonomy and creativity.

 

SOLE education truly amazing, we can implement several strategies: 

 

1. Create a Stimulating Environment Design a physical space or digital platform that encourages curiosity and exploration. Provide resources such as books, internet access, and materials relevant to various interests and topics.
 
2. Empower Learners: Encourage learners to take ownership of their education by allowing them to choose their topics of inquiry and set their learning goals. Provide guidance and support as needed, but allow freedom for self-direction.
 
3. Facilitate Collaboration: Foster a culture of collaboration and peer learning. Encourage learners to share their findings, insights, and questions with each other, promoting a sense of community and collective knowledge-building.
 
4. Emphasize Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Encourage learners to ask open-ended questions, think critically, and develop solutions to real-world problems. Provide opportunities for experimentation, reflection, and iteration.
 
5. Celebrate Diversity and Creativity: Recognize and value the diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and talents of learners. Encourage creativity and innovation by allowing for multiple ways of expressing and demonstrating understanding.
 
6. Provide Feedback and Reflection: Offer constructive feedback to learners to support their growth and development. Encourage self-reflection and metacognition by prompting learners to evaluate their learning process and identify areas for improvement.

 

By implementing these strategies, we can create an amazing SOLE experience that empowers learners, fosters curiosity and collaboration, and prepares them for a lifetime of self-directed learning and exploration.

Chrissie McIntyre