I read a blog about "What should children learn?" They were trying to think outside the box. They wondered if the focus on traditional subjects is really all that important.
Seeing the responses was interesting. I had an inkling that my list would not resemble too many others, but with 3 teenagers, and 2 grown step-kids with children of their own, here's what I think are the most important things children should learn:
These are what come to mind when I think about what children should be taught. In school curriculum, I think they call these "threads." They are supposed to permeate different subjects year after year. I like the idea of these topics being the important threads. I believe the reading, writing, and math will present itself. And if you need these more traditional "subjects" for a job you'd like to pursue, that's why we have community college.
In the Unschooling Mom2Mom FB group, parents are sharing what they hope their child learns by the time they're 18. My list didn't vary too much from back here, when my kids were still living at home.
But I did have another thought...
We should think about why turning 18 carries such significance.
Is it just because we hope they learn by the time they grow up and move out?
As if all learning stops once they're no longer under our roof?
Because I want everyone to remember that there's no Finish Line for learning. Age 18 is an arbitrary number that we've all just accepted because so many kids graduate at that age. But learning is not "done" then! Here you are (probably) over 18, reading and learning about unschooling online.
I think it has to more to do with that concept that learning is no fun and learners must be coerced to learn. That idea that if adults don't MAKE the kids do it, they'll never learn anything new or important. Such and ego-based unrealistic way of looking at it!
But here we are: adults with the audacity to CONTINUE to learn after age 18, after school stopped - proving that tired school trope to be wrong. As Human Beings, we're hard-wired to learn because we're always trying to figure things out. That means searching for solutions and LEARNING NEW THINGS!
It's insane to say that learning stops when the school doors close - or the homeschooling kid turns 18!
Let's not cling to that pressure that things have to happen by a certain age or else all is lost! It's not. Doors don't close.
Anyone can learn anything at any time!
And... as it turns out... that teacher-driven schooly approach to learning wasn't the One Right Answer after all.
I get it, we're creating an awesome list here of important ideas over at the free FB group - way more important than school subjects, IMO.
And you can join us over there anytime!