by Erin | Mar 11, 2018 | child-lead, deschooling the adults, meeting needs, play, safe spaces
We’ve been running City School as pop up sessions for families who are curious to check us out. Slowly we’re creating a community of regulars but we still get new families popping in. When adults observe our pop ins and see non stop play, I sometimes...
by Erin | Feb 24, 2018 | child-lead, deschooling the adults, meeting needs, trust, youth empowerment
A few weeks ago, Gee suggested that we go on a field trip at City School to the local pizza store. A few kids showed interest and so we went about planning our first field trip. I didn’t realize it would be an exercise in deschooling for me! An adult question was...
by Erin | Sep 28, 2017 | child-lead, deschooling the adults, meeting needs, respecting boundaries
This week my kids are participating in a children’s market and they are so excited. This children’s market idea was initiated by Meaghan Jackson through the Burlington-Hamilton Unschoolers and has grown to include the entire local homeschooling community. Children...
by Erin | Aug 22, 2017 | acceptance, advocacy, child-lead, feelings, meeting needs, safe spaces, self-connection, trust, youth empowerment
For the past two weeks, I have been spending more time at Learning in the Woods and I have had a unique opportunity to observe more than engage with the children. I found myself thinking, what is it that kids like about Learning in the Woods. Here is what I...
by Erin | Aug 14, 2017 | child-lead, connection, empathetic response, feelings, meeting needs, safe spaces, trust
The first day of camp can be intense for parents, kids, and facilitators. On the first day of camp, more than any other day, facilitators have to be prepared to just go with the flow and slow the pace so they can effectively create a safe space for kids. Ultimately,...
by Erin | Feb 4, 2017 | child-lead
From the Author: I’m not sure when I discovered Self-Directed Education, but I do know that it has formed the foundation of my views on education and child development. I find it to be a continuum of many of the respectful parenting/child-care approaches I have been...
