Unschooling Ourselves: Interview with Grown Unschooler Candra Kennedy

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Interview with Grown Unschooler Candra Kennedy

I love hearing from grown unschoolers about their experiences growing up and what life is like for them now. Listen here.

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Is Unschooling Better?

Each parent has an optimal "zone of functionality." Mine happens to be at the radical end of unschooling. If you deeply believe in your bones that a non-coercive approach is best, then your zone of functionality as a parent is going to be there. Kind of a circular thing.

Parents figure out their beliefs (always evolving, of course) and then play to those strengths within the zone of functionality. I know people who don't want to be home with their kids--no way, no how, not gonna happen. Unschooling wouldn't be better for them.

Why is unschooling better from my perspective? Kids are basically free. They don't have to learn then unlearn complex patterns of people-pleasing. They're not tied up in or distracted by being evaluated. They have ample time to follow their passions and to discover new ones. They don't see learning as something handed out or imposed--it's something they live every day. It's as natural as breathing. I like giving my kids that kind of ease.