Our children don’t need us to push them into activities or constantly search for the “right” opportunities. When given the space and freedom, their interests naturally arise. A spark of curiosity can grow into a passion, and from there, real learning begins—authentic, joyful, and self-driven.

When we have pushed them into an activity or unintentionally forced them to stick with something it led to progress but less and less interest in that activity (sometimes even resistance). When their goals come from within their is no need to push or entice.

Connection Over Everything Else

In our home we have ongoing discussions about what were learning/our interests, what else we want to learn more about or what skill we want to get better at.

This comes naturally from a home filled with respect and communication. Usually our kids are so excited about all they are into and doing they can’t help but talk about what has their interest and want to tell us everything about it (whether we want to hear it or not) .

This can come from all different places. From a show they’ve watched, something a friend has talked about, an experience they had, something they heard from a book, or from something that has always been on their heart to understand.

Our children feel free to talk about what interests them and we find ways to encourage their interest with videos, books, activities and sometimes even classes.

Pursuing Interests with Intention

Lately our children have shown interest in learning how to spell, math problems, becoming more skilled at art, playing piano, improving in flag football and singing. They also constantly have questions that I keep a list of that we can circle back to in case they still want to know more. Sometimes they do and sometimes they don’t. I don’t worry about the moment passing us by because inevitably if it’s relevant to them or they hear it a few times they will continue to show interest in that area.

I’ve noticed that while I have an agenda regarding things I think they would find interesting or would be useful for them to know, it won’t be relevant to them until it is. So unless they see why they need to know times tables in real life they won’t show much interest in memorizing them until the time comes they need it. However, my 6-year-old does enjoy math and naturally finds patterns fun. Therefore memorizing times tables or addition tables has actually been a fun activity for him.  My oldest realized spelling would be a useful thing to know as she’s gotten into texting, writing in her journal(s) and in other classes she takes.

Kids are Always Learning 

A quote I recently read from the book, “Summerhill A Radical Approach to Child Rearing” author A.S. Neill says, “I have never yet seen a lazy child. What is called laziness is either lack of interest or lack of health. A healthy child cannot be idle; he has to be doing something all day long.”

When living this lifestyle-engaged, connected, providing experiences, and exposure– learning naturally occurs. It’s impossible to keep children from learning. They are hard wired to. We can interfere by telling them what to learn. Over time they become passive about learning and expect to be spoon fed education. Their motivation diminishes, their curiosity dissipates and you’re left with the same outcome as you’d find in a school setting. Going for outcome instead of learning from a place of internal drive.

We’re in the very early stages of homeschooling with our 9, 6 and 3 year old but we’re already witnessing the benefits of living this lifestyle. Not only do we “homeschool” but we also take an “unschooling” approach. It’s not let us down at this point and we can see how incredible our children’s minds work when given the freedom to pursue their lives from a place of curiosity and presence.

If you want to know more about this approach some great books, podcasts and other resources can be found —> Resources