"MICHAEL!!!"
My girlfriend came into my room, on the phone with her Jiejie (her "older sister," the term for a very good friend who's a bit older). She had great news.
Jiejie GOT it! She watched our Dayna Martin interview a second time. And it all clicked! The philosophy, Dayna's ideas, and the possibilities contained therein. She's excited about unschooling and going to see Dayna Martin when she comes to Shenzhen December 8 and 9.
Jiejie brought up some good questions which I'd like to address:
If you missed the interview, check it out here. If you watched it once, but didn't quite "get it," watch it again here or on YouTube. It will reward another view:
1. Am I Qualified Enough To Teach My Kids?
Jiejie compared herself unfavorably to Dayna. Dayna knows so much, she's so smart, of course she can teach her kids, she thought. But could she do the same thing?
Can you unschool your children?
Short answer: Yes you can.
Did you know that the word "education" literally means "to draw out." Unfortunately, we've been led to believe it means "pour in."
To educate, you facilitate.
Here is an example from Mrs. Martin's book Radical Unschooling:
My son Devin was interested in Egyptian pharaohs. I jumped online and researched local museums. A pharaoh exhibit was coming to the Boston's Museum of Science. I found magazines having to do with Egypt, and helped Devin pick and order the one he wanted. Next, he wanted to travel to Egypt. I suggested watching videos of Egypt on YouTube. We sat together, him in my lap, connecting and discussing for a long time. He bounced ideas off of me and we talked about what we were learning together. All you have to do is go with the natural flow of their interests and learning and offer as many resources as you can...
Dayna Martin isn't an expert on Egyptian pharaohs. She doesn't have to be. She became a student with him, and they learned together from the University of YouTube. She didn't know the answers, but she showed him how to find the answers. She made education joyful.
Surely you can do that too. We don't call this channel "Know-it-all/Do-it-all." This channel is 有办法. Because there is always a way.
You can find more information on that topic in our interview with Dayna at 29:10.
Dayna and other unschoolers spend a lot of time with their parents, leading to our second question:
2. Is Unschooling For Everyone Or Just The "Elite"?
Jiejie wanted to know if this really was available to her. Is unschooling just for people who don't need to worry about money? Can anyone unschool their child?
Again, the answer is Yes, unschooling is for everyone!
You may need to be creative, but if you want to, you will find a way. You know what would work best for your family, but these are a few options which might help:
Teach your child's caretaker the unschooling philosophy.
Work from home, even starting at one day per week to get your boss to agree.
Cut expenses so one parent can stay at home.
Start brainstorming. There is a way to do this if you desire it. Set your intention, and you will find one.
Dayna covered this topic in more detail beginning at 20:10.
3. Is School Plus Weekend Specialty Classes Good Enough?
Many parents here in China enroll their children in school and in the evenings and weekends take specialty classes: Chess, English, violin, et c.
These specialty classes have a lot of good qualities. The teachers treat the students with respect. Students can choose to go or not. There isn't much pressure and students often don't develop negative feelings or think they're "stupid" if they don't get it at first.
The problem here is that they still go to school. They still learn the most deadly of lessons that schools teach:
Schools teach students their life plan is not important.
Schools teach students to live other people's agenda.
Schools teach students to follow rather than lead.
Schools teach students it doesn't matter what they like and don't like.
Schools teach students that their opinion is valueless.
Though the facade of school has become kinder and gentler, the underlying hard and cruel edifice remains.
Unschoolers Learn the Opposite!
Unschoolers don't ingest the spiritual poisons of helplessness, futility, boredom, and frustration. Unschoolers are immersed in society all day, everyday. They aren't age segregated like schooled children. Unschoolers are free to pursue their interests and joyfully follow their passions!
The parent-child relationship is strong. Unschoolers see parents as facilitators, not adversaries standing in the way of what they want.
They're their partner, someone who actually cares.
If they don't like school, take them out! They will learn much more than they would in school and feel good about learning.
Be a forward-thinking leader. Unschooling is growing and will be huge. It's far better than the coercive forced school system. Unschooled children learn more and do better than kids in school. They're happier and more successful.
I understand your hesitancy, and admit that at times even I find myself wondering how it will work out. But it will, if you commit to it. There is a right answer for you. With a positive 有办法 attitude, you will find it.
If you haven't watched our interview with Dayna Martin, please watch it here. I believe you'll find it rewarding.
If you watched it and didn't quite "get it," I recommend watching it again. I think it's a good investment of your time.
-Michael McGillicuddy
Fujian, China 🇨🇳
If you want to learn from Dayna and other unschooling experts in person, continue reading below:
This is an advertisement for a 有办法 event
Anyone can do unschooling. It's simple. Facilitate learning, don't use coercion, and there you go. It's always nice to have a coach though.
Which is why we're thrilled to bring Dayna Martin to China, December 8 and 9! We're still talking to a few venues, but the event will be held in Shenzhen.
Dayna has given this training to thousands of people around the world. She's been on big name television shows like Oprah Winfrey, Dr. Phil, and others to share the unschooling philosophy. I saw her speak personally earlier this year, so I know it's good.
There will be two day-long workshops. Here is a partial list of the topics which will be covered:
How can I help my child thrive and not just survive?
Children's Rights and how to respect and heal from your own childhood.
Authoritative vs. permissive parenting and why neither are peaceful.
Why punishments are abusive and what to do instead.
How your fear damages your child's innate genius.
Bringing the world to your child to find their seasonal calling.
And much much more!
It will be a charged event, we need to buy her plane tickets, accommodations, and rent the venue.
Additionally, we are working on bringing another guest, also from America and one who helps families take the steps to free their children from the coercive school system and then accelerate their learning. More details to come.
Learning from books and video is one thing, it's a totally different experience having the teacher next to you.
I believe in what Dayna does and I want her to come, in person, to China to spread this message.
If you are interested in knowing more, please scan my QR code and talk with me personally.
