Experiential Learning

 

Experiential learning is my new lens for how we are homeschooling.  Borrowing on the unschooling philosophy of letting interest lead your learning, but adding the intentional hands-on approach of project learning to the mix is my goal for 2021.  

Both my 15 year old son and 13 (well almost 13) year old daughter are fully invested in experiential learning.  What does that mean?  

Well, for them it means running their own businesses focused on interests and services needed in our community.  With this businesses experience, we are reading business books, maintaining spreadsheets for costs and income, creating marketing ads, negotiating with clients, developing websites, setting prices.  Notice I say we.  This is because I am invested in helping them navigate these murky waters that many adults feel are intimidating.  

What an amazing opportunity to be learning by doing.  What a blessing they are not stuck in an old system of learning.  Instead they are each living, learning, creating, collaborating, and discussing within our family but also within our community (the real world).  How naturally they are drawn to the things that are important and key to their lives.  In turn flourishing into the individuals that God designed them to be.  Which fortunately allows each time and space to know themselves, their preferences, their desires, their likes and dislikes.  

I am thrilled to be the one on this path with them.  

Authentic

When you are open and honest about your life and pursuits things have a way of working out. My eyes have been opened to this recently and looking back at the past year, no matter how tough it was, there was so many silver linings to living authentically.  

My daughter who is a creative at heart, loves making any and everything.  Her Christmas gifts included baking tools, dress form with pattern paper and pins, specialty nail polish, monthly makeup subscription, as well as a monthly maker crate of crafts.  After mentioning her desire to begin sewing more and creating patterns in a yoga class, a couple ladies approached me.  One was a retired home economics teacher and the other a retired pattern designer.  Both expressed a desire to help her if she needed anything on her journey in sewing.  Then a couple nights ago, one of the ladies brought her 2 pattern and design books.  She was over the moon excited.  

My son had such a similar experience.  He and his fishing partner won the state bass fishing championship which qualifies them to compete at the national competition in the summer of 2021.  Wanting to earn money for the expenses, he offer to help families in the community with yard work and dump runs   Seeing his post, some nearby family friends offered to have him help with lawn work which kept him busy 1-3 days a week learning skills not only in lawn care, but communicating with others, and developing a strong work ethic.  Families in our community were also quick to request his dump run service, thus supporting his endeavors.  

These are just two examples of the heartwarming responses our family received by being authentic and open to others in our daily lives.  

What a great life.  Remember to sit back, enjoy some coffee as you ponder the blessings that have come into your life as you truly live.