Musings on Alternative Education…
Yesha and Stephanie went to the Reimagine Education Expo last weekend in Oakland. The organizers brought together people from different learning communities/“schools” and homeschoolers. Here are some of their takeaways…
Yesha:
During a roundtable with homeschooling parents, I was asked what my child is actually like in terms of her personality and natural aptitudes. That question gave me a pause to start looking at who she is, even as a toddler, and what journey makes sense for her rather than just trying to fit her into an 'approved' social structure.
Meeting educators advocating for paths like Reggio, Waldorf, and self-directed learning only reinforced this. It hit me how each child needs a unique journey. As a parent, it’s really a learning (or rather, unlearning) process to navigate this alongside them.
It was also reassuring to hear from educators who are also parents that they face the same social stigma, often from those closest to us, like grandparents. It felt good to know I'm not alone in navigating that.
It was shared that a lot of children come to the alternative education world only if they don’t ‘fit in’ with traditional schooling, but wouldn’t it be better to start there? We all want our children to thrive, but is traditional schooling the only pathway? What if we provide the foundational skills like reading, writing, and math, and then let them continue their journey guided by their own curiosity? I love the idea of becoming a facilitator of their discovery while they choose what they want to master.
I’m curious, how are other parents figuring out what kind of learning journey fits your kids?
Stephanie:
I attended a panel discussion that showcased different alternative education models, including self-directed learning, Montessori, Waldorf, Reggio Emilia, and nature-based programs. What stood out to me in this discussion was the importance placed on free, uninterrupted play. One panelist called it “self-motivated practice of life skills,” which I think is an apt definition of play!
At FPNS, we understand and value play in our young children. Why does this suddenly shift when a kid turns 4 or 5? They reach a certain age and all of a sudden, they are expected to sit still on the carpet, write nicely, and only talk or play during scheduled times. But childhood doesn’t end at age 4 or 5; in fact, I would argue that adults still need to play for their own physical and mental health and to help unleash their own creativity!
Another panelist noted that many of the children joining their “untraditional” program were coming because they had been labeled “too much” in traditional programs. These kids were losing their “spark” - their natural curiosity and wonder - because there was no space for them to just be themselves in school. Is traditional school sucking the joy out of our children and their natural playfulness and curiosity?
Although the programs were all based on different philosophies of learning, they all incorporated specific elements into their days: free play, community check-ins, outdoor time in nature, and ”curriculum” based on children’s current interests. I was especially drawn to the self-directed education model (I highly recommend the book Free to Learn by Peter Gray as a starting point if interested!). The basic tenet is that kids have agency over their learning, and adults are there to simply facilitate that learning. As a facilitator/guide, you are a witness to the learning rather than the “teacher” of it. This is a very different model from what we typically think of as a “teacher” - as the bearer of all knowledge that we must pass down to our students.
What this expo made clear is that traditional schools are not the only answer. This has really made me think more about what to do about schooling for my own kiddo. I had always assumed I would send him to a traditional school, but is that really what’s best for him?
If learning could look different for your child, would you allow yourself to explore that possibility?