Podcast appearances and mentions of leah mcdermott

Welcome back to the IGNITE Your Dream Podcast!  I am so excited to share today's conversation with you with innovator + disruptivator, Leah McDermott! Leah is a former Master Educator turned radical unschooling advocate, and mama of three boys. She is the owner of Your Natural Learner and Bridge Academy, where she provides resources and community for natural learning and homeschoolers around the world. After years spent in the public school classrooms, Leah recognized the disconnect between what we know to be true about how learning happens and what we were doing to our children in the system. In 2011, after having her first child, she made the decision to step away from the public learning system and began her work in encouraging and supporting homeschooling families to raise a new generation of confident and passionate lifelong learners, and today focuses on helping parents shift their mindset to trust that their children are capable of learning what they need when they need it. In today's episode we dive deep into what it means to "unschool," the challenges our children face within the current school system and what can happen when we trust our children's natural learning instincts over society's current models.  I hope this conversation serves as an invation to expand + shift your perspective if you feel called to do so. I can't wait for you to listen!  Links Mentioned:  Learn more about Leah's work:  https://naturallearningshop.com/ https://www.bridgeacademy.us/ Follow her over on Instagram: @yournaturallearner Sign up for tomorrow's Model Magic Masterclass! Tag me in your big shifts + takeaways: @amberlilyestrom Did you hear something you loved here today?! Leave a Review + Subscribe via iTunes 

For ASSURED Season 2, we are unpacking homeschool exhaustion and exploring different perspectives and possibilities for how you can personally recharge. In this episode, you are going to hear part of the RECHARGE Virtual Summit All-Access conversation I had with Leah McDermott. You can listen to the full conversation at homeschoolteachingsimplififed.com/recharge Make sure to FOLLOW the show to catch all 12 perspectives for how you can personally recharge. Recharge Virtual Summit Recordings: homeschoolteachingsimplified.com/recharge Connect with Natalie: natalie@homeschoolteachingsimplified.com Leah's Free Gift: Morning Magic https://leahmcdermott.lpages.co/morning-magic/

Welcome back to a new episode where I have a conversation with Leah McDermott. Leah is an unschooling advocate and mother of three. After over a decade spent in the world of education, two Masters of Education degrees, and multiple teaching certifications, Leah slowly began to realize that the way we are teaching our children in public schools went against everything that we knew to be true about learning acquisition and child development. Her passion for helping other children and families led to her developing a child-led learning curriculum, creating a supportive space online for parents, and opening Bridge Academy - a private umbrella school for homeschoolers, Leah continues her life's work of encouraging adults to unlearn what they've always believed to be true as they lean fully into trusting their children as natural, capable learners. Leah currently lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, Brian, their three boys, and a collection of pets. In this episode we have a powerful conversation about some of the damaging long-term effects of schooling and the pressure that children often face at school. We share many of the benefits we have seen of supporting children to learn in their own way, in their own timing, relaxed and self-connected at home. We talk about cultivating trust in our children and dealing with the judgements and questions of others so that we can truly enjoy facilitating our children's learning at home. If you want to learn more about Leah's work, please follow her on social media at Your Natural Learner or her website https://www.bridgeacademy.us/. If you want to learn more about Natural Learning from me, I have a series of articles on my website here https://awareparenting.com.au/articles/?_select_a_category=homeschoolingandnaturallearning. I also offer workshops on Natural Learning here https://awareparenting.com.au/my-courses/parenting-workshops/ and run an online natural learning and aware parenting community together with Marion Rose https://awareparenting.com.au/parenting-coaching/community/. We also have a podcast series together The Aware Parenting and Natural Learning Podcast, that you can find on all podcast platforms.

Build Your Community~How To Be An Awesome Homeschooler  Have you ever felt  disconnected from community? Even more so now that you homeschool?  Are there times when you feel like your ideas on learning and living your family life are too different from others around you?  Do you want to connect wth others that "get you"? Do you want to build your community? Kelly Edwards and I have been in your shoes. As homeschool parents we have felt like taking the leap to home educate has isolated us at times. It has also connected us to others who we may have not ever considered as community otherwise.   In this episode Kelly and I talk about our origin stories as homeschooling parents. We also share how we connected as friends in need of community.  We also share: What community can look like for homeschoolers  How community can challenge us Ways to build community And we talk about one of our favourite communities of all~ How To Be An Awesome Homeschooler How To Be An Awesome Homeschooler 2023~Purpose.Persist.Play Purpose. Persist. Play. This is the third year of our homeschool summit, How To Be An Awesome Homeschooler. We are bringing the powerful "P"'s.  Join us March 24th for Purpose. Persist. Play. If you are looking to learn more about homeschooling, unschooling, self directed learning, parenting, self improvement and just being awesome in general- we've got you :) This year's summit is another impactful day of community, inspiration and learning. Join Kelly Edwards of the 90 Minute School Day as we gather, learn and reflect on supporting our Neurodiverse children in her workshop on Neurodiversity in our Home Education. Connect with the iconic Julie Bogart of Bravewriter on how and what we choose to PERSIST.  Get clarity and comfort from Leah Boden of Modern Miss Mason when we guide with PURPOSE.  Be inspired on the value of PLAY with parent educator Mr. Chazz. Then spend time with me and some really awesome self directed teens in my workshop on Self Directed Teens.  Resources How To Be An Awesome Homeschooler~ register on our website for the FREE summit and receive a wonderful digital Swagbag filled with goodies and resources for your home learning journey.  You can also purchase tickets of the summit recordings, keynote pdf's and extra VIP goodies. (Early bird sale on now) Connect with my community on Clubhouse~ Honey! I'm Homeschooling Club to get in on the pre-summit action. (And meet over 2500 parents that are in the thick of homeschooling or learning more about it before they take the plunge) Check out my interview with Shannon Loucks that I referenced in this episode. Or listen to my interviews with previous summit keynotes~ Dr. Gina Riley, Rachel Rainbolt, Demetria Giles, Ainsley Arment, Leah McDermott, Karema Akilah, Karen Ricks, Julie Bogart, Leah Boden and my friend and summit co-creator, Kelly Edwards. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reading & Writing With Phonics As a homeschooling parent, are your worries focused on your children learning to read? Are you unsure where to start? What to do? Or how can to make it fun and engaging, instead of difficult drudgery? I get a lot of questions from homeschooling and unschooling parents about learning to read. Every one wants the magic bullet. But I want to tell you- every child and family is different. However, instead of being fearful, look at the advantage that home education offers. You have the time and opportunity to support your unique child and learning style. You are not bound by school bells, curriculum deadlines or 45 other children and staff members. So that's why, through this podcast, I offer different ideas, perspectives and research. I want to offer you a chance to hear and learn about your options and the tools out there. You can then choose, try, keep, let go of or adapt different tools and ideas to your child's needs. This episode continues with our discussion on literacy and focuses on reading tools: Phonics. Specifically, I chat with Carina Powers, the CEO of Phonics in Motion. We talk about using phonics in the reading process and the importance of multi-sensory support when learning to read. Phonics in Motion- Seeing it, Hearing it, Feeling it, Moving it Phonics in Motion was created by Dr. Terry Kindervater, an educator and literacy expert. Dr Kindervater knows her program well, because she has used it for herself. Years ago, Terry suffered a significant stroke that left her unable to read and speak. In fact, she lost the entire language centre of her brain. It took Dr. Kindervater one year to go from being non-verbal to communicating again. The progress was slow and frustrating. It became clear that the clinical remediation plan was not resulting in the gains she needed. The remediation she was receiving from expert clinical professionals felt so similar to what she had seen had failed struggling learners time and time again throughout her teaching career. That was why she had created Phonics in Motion in the first place; and now it was her turn to walk the path of learning to read and write as a struggler. She now knows just how hard it is to learn to read and write as a learner with processing challenges. In this episode Carina and I talk about learning to read using phonics and what that means. We explore the importance of incorporating strategies that are fun and connecting. The negative connotation that phonics carries and the real, applicable meaning Why their program works so well for homeschoolers, hearing impaired learners, English language learners, as well as fluent, verbal speakers. Why a learner must "see it, hear it, feel it and move with it." (The multi-sensory approach) The difference between teaching learning to read at home vs in school. (The time, expectations and strict lines that school requires) Why parents know their child best Resources Phonics in Motion is offering 15% off of their homeschool membership for Honey! I'm Homeschooling The Kids listeners with the code teachwithmotion15. Go to~ https://phonicsinmotion.com/product/complete-homeschool-literacy-program/   If you would like to learn more about Phonics In Motion check out their website https://phonicsinmotion.com/pim-for-homeschool/   Social Media   Twitter-https://twitter.com/PhonicsInMotion   Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/phonicsinmotion/   Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/phonicsinmotion/   Or contact Carina directly- carina@phonicsinmotion.com   If you would like to hear more check out these episodes with former teachers turned Homeschoolers-   Former school principal turned Unschooler Golda David https://imhomeschooling.com/education-demystified-lessons-from-a-principal-teacher-homeschooler/ Leah McDermott-https://imhomeschooling.com/natural-learning-leah-mcdermott/ ________________________________ Looking for more support in your homeschool and unschooling journey? I've got you! Check out my Patreon Community where I offer monthly Live Q&A on all your homeschool, unschool and self directed learning questions. For the summer of 2022- this live support is open to ALL Patron levels. You also have access to my downloads, special videos, insights and interviews with my family! https://www.patreon.com/honeyimhomeschoolingthekids Honey! I'm Homeschooling Club on Clubhouse App offer free weekly discussion groups and support. Follow me on Instagram Sponsor Shout Outs Mel Science MEL Science is a subscription service that offers monthly science boxes, which combines hands-on experiments with VR and AR technologies to engage kids in studying science. Science is about exploration, experiments, discovery, and asking questions – all of which comes naturally to all children.They strive to make serious science accessible, interesting, and cool. Kindred Bravely Kindred Bravely - Designed by moms, for moms. Clothing for maternity and beyond. Night Zookeeper Is your child a reluctant writer? Do they struggle with reading? If your answer to either of these questions is YES, then Night Zookeeper may be just what you've been looking for. Night Zookeeper is an online learning program for children aged 6 to 12 years old and uses a gamified approach to help to keep kids engaged and focused on developing awesome reading and writing skills, all while having fun at the same time! Some of the features we love include the educational games, the fun challenges, the personalized feedback and the super safe community pages, where children can work with each other and learn together. You can try it for free by clicking on the link in the bio! When you register, you'll get a 7-day, risk-free trial, as well as a huge 50% off your annual subscription, that's a great deal if you ask me!  If you are in the US, Australia, Canada or the UK, look for the special links below for your country: US: https://www.nightzookeeper.com/en-us/parents/special_offers/1?referrer=honeyimhomeschooling_22&utm_source=honeyimhomeschooling_22&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=podcastCA: https://www.nightzookeeper.com/en-ca/parents/special_offers/ca-offer?referrer=honeyimhomeschooling_22&utm_source=honeyimhomeschooling_22&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=podcastUK: https://www.nightzookeeper.com/en-gb/parents/special_offers/facebook-offer52?referrer=honeyimhomeschooling_22&utm_source=honeyimhomeschooling_22&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=podcastAUS: https://www.nightzookeeper.com/en-au/parents/special_offers/au-offer?referrer=honeyimhomeschooling_22&utm_source=honeyimhomeschooling_22&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=podcast  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When most folks hear the term "unschooling," they assume it means some sort of chaotic free for all in which very little learning takes place. When Leah McDermott is the one talking about unschooling, however, you will quickly recognize how far off that assumption is, and how natural and powerful of an approach it can be. In this episode, Leah and Todd discuss how many of the best practices taught in teacher training programs can seldom be applied in traditional school settings, how an understanding of brain development and the natural processes that inform a baby's learning to crawl and walk can be extended to all learning, as well as some common myths around what unschooling is and isn't. Leah also shares her advice for parents who are interested in challenging their assumptions that have resulted from their own educational experiences, and how doing so can result in a more positive and complete educational experience for you and for your child. This is a must listen for anyone who feels overwhelmed or intimidated by homeschooling, as well as any homeschoolers who are unfamiliar with unschooling, as many of your assumptions will likely be challenged. To learn more about developing your natural learner, head over to Leah's website: http://leahmcdermott.com/starthere/ To learn more about registering your child with Bridge Academy, or to purchase curriculum visit: https://leahmcdermott.lpages.co/bridgeacademy/ Be sure to stay connected with Todd and The Edvantage via the following links: Website: https://www.homeschooledvantage.com/ All other links (including social media): https://linktr.ee/toddkmichael If you enjoyed this episode, please take a few minutes to give the show a positive rating and review, and be sure to share it with the educators and parents in your life. Thank you for listening! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Resilience This special recorded interview is from the March 2022 How To Be An Awesome Homeschooler Summit. The summit theme was the 3 R's of learning which for us is not the traditional reading, wRiting, aRithmetic. The 3 R's are; Reclaim, Resist, Resilience. Leah McDermott, founder of Your Natural Learner was our keynote speakers to the theme of Resilience. Resilience for homeschool parents as well as our children. Leah joined me to close out the day with this special interview. Leah McDermott~ Mom, Grown Homeschooler, Educator, Unschooler First and foremost, Leah is a mom. She has three rambunctious little boys who love spending every single second that they can out in nature. Leah's story begins as a homeschooled child. Her father was in the military, so her parents began homeschooling her in third grade out of necessity at first, but eventually because of a disappointment in the complete lack of engaging material found in the classrooms (keep in mind this was over 20 years ago!)  Sadly, not much has changed for the better. Her homeschool days were filled with family activities, independent learning, field trips, and worldwide adventures. She made it into her first choice for college with multiple scholarships. Leah received her Bachelors in Elementary Education, followed by a Masters of Education as a certified Reading Specialist, followed by a second Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction. After three years of teaching in both rural and urban elementary schools, she decided to leave the profession after having her oldest son.  When her son turned two, and began to show interest in learning, Leah found that she naturally was providing exciting learning opportunities for him, and had many mothers begin asking her to share my experiences with them. And now..here she is… From Homeschool To School To No School Leah and I got into all of the ideas we hold onto around learning, children and development: The difference between the traditional system and what the data shows from neuroscience around development and learning. (How we learn best does not match what we do in the traditional education system) The Deschooling process and how it can be an even bigger for parents that come to homeschooling as trained educators. Learning to write Screens and time with screens Trusting the natural learning process How To Be An Awesome Homeschooler Summit If you enjoyed this episode, the full day recordings are available on the website, How To Be An Awesome Homeschooler. The Recordings include: Reclaim~ Ainsley Arment of Wild+Free Reclaim The Teen Years~Kelly Edwards creator of the 90 Minute School Day and Robyn Robertson of Honey! I'm Homeschooling The Kids Resist~Karen Ricks of Our Kitchen Classroom Play With Your Food Workshop with Karen Ricks Resist~ Karema Akilah founder of The Genius School Resilience~Leah McDermott of Your Natural Learner If you have enjoyed this podcast and would like to be part of the community or support our work, join or follow us here….. Patreon~ https://www.patreon.com/honeyimhomeschoolingthekids Clubhouse~Honey! I'm Homeschooling Club See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Supporting Passions and Unschooling to Adulthood The Hunter family began their unschooling journey over 9 years ago. Tira Hunter says that "the benefits of unschooling put her daughter on a path to have a career in art and the freedom to pursue her passions on her own terms." Zoi Hunter is now 19 years old and a full-time commissioned artist. Zoi and her mother, Tira joined me on this episode to talk about their path to unschooling. They also share what they were able to reclaim along the way. Supporting Passions and Unschooling to Adulthood- What You'll Hear In This Episode You'll probably notice as you listen to this episode that Tira is a friend of mine. We met online and became fast friends, sharing our fears, joys and continuous Deschooling with each other. As moms to Unschooled teens that are extremely focused on personal passions, we connected. Knowing Tira and Zoi's journey, I was excited that they came on the show. Their story is so real and inspiring that I know parents will appreciate hearing it. And to hear them share this story together makes it even more impactful. "I was a nervous wreck." Tira keeps it real. She is extremely honest about the struggles and fears she has had on this journey. As she says, the person in their family that had the hardest time Deschooling was.. her. In this episode you'll hear their story from Academic public school to unschooling. Actually, their path went from public school to "school at home" homeschooling to unschooling. Tira did what many of us do, repeat what we know, even if it is no longer serving us. What we know is usually school. It wasn't until they were absolutely miserable that Zoi's dad suggested a change. Tira scaled back, stepped back and tried this unschooling thing. Zoi was ready for change. You'll hear how and why self directed learning was the best match for her, how it shifted their family dynamic and helped Tira to let go of her "schoolish" ideas. But How Do Grown Unschoolers Actually Find A Job Or Get Into College? Tira shares a wonderful story in this episode of when Unschooling finally "clicked" for her. She saw her apply what she was doing to life. Zoi had a task to complete and found an ingenious solution to a problem on her own because of the time she had to experiment, research and test. (The Dish Soap Story ;) ) From there, the time and space Zoi had allowed her to explore art. And Zoi's interest in Art and creating took off. Art became Zoi's passion, her full circle unschooling journey. Zoi and Tira share how art has been Zoi's path to business and the broader world. We talk about the steps and mentors she has found along the way and the opportunities that opened up for her through unschooling. Zoi certainly did not follow a traditional path, but that did not hold her back. By stepping out of the traditional path Zoi was able to flourish. If you are interested in unschooling or want to learn more about unschooling as your children get into their older years, this episode is for you. I also recommend the episode Supporting Passions and Unschooling In The Teen Years that features my son and his journey following his passions in unschooling and where it is taking him. Resources Zoi's Instagram~ https://www.instagram.com/artbyzoi/ Zoi's newest book- Everybody Has A Belly Button Special Shout outs to Unschooling Mentors we mentioned (and who also have been guests on this show!) Karla Marie Williams Karema Akilah Sue Patterson John Holt My son's interview on Galileo- Unschooling And The Freedom To Follow My Passion How To Be An Awesome Homeschooler Summit- March 18th 2022 How To Be An Awesome Homeschooler Summit we are going deep into the 3 R's of Learning. No, not Reading, wRiting, aRithmetic but RECLAIM. RESIST. RESILIENCE. We are gathering for the day, LIVE on clubhouse to listen to stories and keynote, ask questions, learn, gather resources and find community. Go to the website to register to gain access to community as well as all of the goodies that come with this summit. We have our amazing keynotes- Ainsley Arment of Wild + Free, Kelly Edwards of 90 Minute School Day, Robyn Robertson of Honey! I'm Homeschooling The Kids, Karema Akilah of The Genius School, Karen Ricks of Our Kitchen Classroom, Leah McDermott of Your Natural Learner. Shout out to our summit sponsors whose contributions allows this summit to remain accessible to the community. Praxis Math Codes CoLearn Phonics in Motion MapleRose   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monica Robertson is a retired teacher, math educator, grandmother and former homeschool parent. She is also my mother-in-law! I asked Monica to come on the show as a special guest to talk about her experience homeschooling, learning math and the power of looking at the world through a math lens. Math always seems to be a topic that seems to give quite a few parents feelings of angst. I often hear questions like; I am not good at math, so how will I be able to teach it to my kids if I homeschool? How do unschoolers learn math? Can kids learn math without the drills, worksheets and curriculum? Can math actually be interesting? I also see many parents that love the idea of self directed education until it comes to learning math. Somewhere we learn this idea that math is the subject that must be drilled, memorized and come with a little bit of torture, unless you happen to be a math genius. If you have beliefs similar to this, have you ever reflected on why you think that is true? Is it valid? In This Episode In this episode my mother-in-law and I talk about her experience homeschooling my husband and her views on learning. We also dive deeper into the idea of looking at the world through a math lens and why this practice is the key. We explore; Deschooling and why it's an important part of homeschooling How can we learn to look at the world through a math lens when we are uncertain in our own understanding of math The difference between a good mathematician and memorizing math facts Measuring, Spatial Awareness, Subitizing and LEGO's Encouraging Risk Taking (and what this has to do with learning math) Persistence How do we introduce math in a joy driven way? Worksheets, drills and speed- is it really a true measure of a strong mathematician? Creating math anxiety Seeing math and mathematical concepts in the tools, toys and play we may already have in our homes I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. How do you feel about stepping away from the worksheets and drills and encouraging a math conversation? What ways are you starting to see the world through a math lens? Or do you disagree? If you would like to explore more, here are the additional resources that we mentioned on the episode. Resources If you would like to contact Monica you can reach her via email~ monie_rob@hotmail.com John Holt- https://www.johnholtgws.com/homeschooling-unschooling-resources How Children Learn (John Holt) Learning All The Time (John Holt) Teach Your Own John Holt Book of Homeschooling Jo Boaler- her math website can be found here- https://www.youcubed.org/ James Tanton- Math Educator James Tanton- Exploding Dots Peter Liledahl- Simon Fraser University Math Educator (resources page) Alicia Burdess- Math resources Teaching Through Problems Worth Solving - Alicia Stone Burdess Teaching Through Problems Worth Solving Version 3- Alicia Stone Burdess Interview with Former teacher turned unschooling parent- Leah McDermott http://imhomeschooling.com/natural-learning-leah-mcdermott/ Other ways to help support the podcast? Become a patron~ https://www.patreon.com/honeyimhomeschoolingthekids See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Golda David is a teacher, former school principal and homeschooling mom. Golda is the homeschool facilitator for our school division’s homeschool program, supporting families in alternative education, homeschooling and unschooling. She is also our family’s personal homeschool facilitator. And no surprise, she is an advocate for self directed learning. Golda shares how she went from public school principal to homeschooling her son and running a program that is unique to our province. And she does this all as a single mom. We talk about; Why and how the school system is due for a change Her biggest struggles to homeschooling as a single parent and public school educator Her advice to parents that are interested in homeschooling and in need of a confidence boost The 3 myths in education Standardized testing (are they an accurate measure of learning?) Reading-(Why it’s not the end of the world if your child is a late reader) Learning must be rigorous (When play and autonomy=rigour) Go to http://imhomeschooling.com/education-demystified-lessons-from-a-principal-teacher-homeschooler/ for show notes.  Resources Marie Battiste: Decolonizing Education   Teaching in a Cold and Windy Place: Change in an Inuit School   Ivan Illich: Deschooling Society   John Taylor Gatto: https://www.johntaylorgatto.com/   John Holt: https://www.johnholtgws.com/   Peter Gray: Free To Learn On Standardized Testing Alfie Kohn: https://www.alfiekohn.org/   W. James Popham (on Standardized Testing): http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/mar99/vol56/num06/Why-Standardized-Tests-Don%27t-Measure-Educational-Quality.aspx   Todd Farley: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/574656/making-the-grades-by-todd-farley/   Mark Garrison: https://www.amazon.com/Measure-Failure-Political-Origins-Standardized/dp/1438427786   Connect or hear more from Golda: Website: www.demystifyingeducation.com First Nation Education: A Study  https://firstnationsstudents.weebly.com/ Contact her via email: davidg@prsd.ab.ca or phone (1)780-219-2119 Ways To Support The Show Patreon: Your support helps make the show production possible. https://www.patreon.com/honeyimhomeschoolingthekids Leave a Review: Leave a review on itunes. Share the show on Social Media: You can tag me on Instagram or share on Facebook @honeyimhomeschooliongthekids If you want to learn more about some of the authors mentioned in this episode, check out my interview with Peter Gray or Pat Farenga (co-author with John Holt). If you would like to hear more from teachers turned Unschoolers, check out my episode with Leah McDermott.  

The Top 5 questions that I get asked about homeschooling and unschooling Not sure what the term 'Unschooling' really means or how it differs from traditional homeschool? Are you uncertain how kids can actually learn if life looks nothing like the traditional schooling structure? Would you love to homeschool or unschool but you just don't know how you can afford it? Would you love to homeschool but your life partner is not on the same page? What do you do then? These are questions that I receive often from listeners of the podcast. Questions and fears are natural, especially if you are creating a life of your own design that doesn't follow the normal routine of others around you. As much as I try to address these questions in interviews with my guests, there are times when it seems best to answer them directly. Which is what I am doing with this episode. So grab a cup of your choice and listen in on the top 5 questions that I receive on homeschooling and unschooling. Throughout the episode I reference many others, including past episodes and resources. All of those I have included at the bottom of this page. Question 1: What is unschooling? Question 2: Why did we move from traditional homeschooling to unschooling? Question 3: If we unschool how do we know if our children are actually learning? Question 4: How do parents afford to stay home and homeschool or unschool? Question 5: What happens when you want to homeschool but your spouse or partner is not on the same page? What did you think about the top 5 questions about homeschooling and unschooling that I receive? Do you need more explanation on a few things? If you do, write me and let me know. If there are other top 5 questions that you have about homeschooling and unschooling, let me know those too! For Show notes go to~ http://imhomeschooling.com/?p=3464 Support me through Patreon~ https://www.patreon.com/honeyimhomeschoolingthekids Resources Mentioned In This Episode Resources For Parents ~ http://imhomeschooling.com/homeschool-resources/ Pat Farenga~ https://www.johnholtgws.com/pat-farengas-blog/ John Holt~ Website https://www.johnholtgws.com/ Honey I'm Homeschooling The Kids Episode with Pat: http://imhomeschooling.com/pat-farenga-on-homeschooling-and-education/ Leah Mcdermott~ http://www.yournaturallearner.com/ Rachel Rainbolt~ http://www.sageparenting.com/shop/ MicroSchool Builders Facebook Group~ https://www.facebook.com/groups/622539617933686/ MicroSchool Builders Website Past Episodes that I mentioned: Ranan Lachman~http://imhomeschooling.com/life-of-their-own-design-ranan-lachman/ Jaime Salonen~http://imhomeschooling.com/hihtk-episode-7-jaime-salonen-escaping-the-rat-race-and-worldschooling/ Leah McDermott~ http://imhomeschooling.com/natural-learning-leah-mcdermott/ Rachel Rainbolt~ http://imhomeschooling.com/natural-learning/ Mara Linaberger~ http://imhomeschooling.com/micro-schools-mara-linaberger/ Michelle Goulet~ http://imhomeschooling.com/wild-child-forest-school/

Tinkergarten: Wellness http://blog.tinkergarten.com/blog/2018/12/14/why-winter-is-both-a-perfect-and-dangerous-time-for-wellness   Leah McDermott, Your Natural Learner   #150hoursoutside Project https://www.facebook.com/groups/150hoursoutside/   Tracking sheets and ideas are available with both projects. I just started a list on the Notes app on my phone.J I always have it with me.  1000 Hours Outside   To appreciate the beauty of a snowflake, it’s necessary to stand out in the cold. –Aristotle   Book Picks:  Best in Snow by April Pulley Sayre https://amzn.to/2M82Vod   Loose Parts Play Facebook Page   Loose Parts Play Facebook Group   Inside Outside Michiana Facebook Page   Loose Parts Nature Play Website

Growing Up Homeschooled Hannah Frankman joined me to share what life was like growing up homeschooled.We talked about: Why her parents chose to homeschool her The Challenges She Faced Homeschooling Why She Chose Not to Attend College Her Experience Teaching and Her Reflections on Forced Learning How Homeschooling Prepared Her For Her Current Career  Why Her Parents Chose To Homeschool Hannah homeschooled from grade 1-12. She has always been an academic and creative student. Homeschooling was her dad's idea. Her parents didn't want school to stifle her creativity. They also didn't want her peers raising her. The rural area they lived in was not known for having great schools. They looked at many options including charter schools and private schools. Because of little experience with homeschool they researched it extensively. In the end homeschool was the best option. Homeschool ChallengesHannah is grateful to have grown up homeschooled. She is also real about the challenges she faced. Life was wonderful but it was not always rosy. Hannah says her biggest challenge was the social component. Hannah grew up in a rural area. There was not a built-in local social network close to her and she is a very social person. The family was part of an active homeschool group but during her middle school age the group broke apart.In the end it was the consistent social peer group she missed. But the lifestyle and education she was receiving while homeschooling won out. In response she had extra curricular activities. Things like book clubs and writing groups she built and was part of. Her high school time became a very self directed time. Since high school she has built a strong social network for herself. Homeschool LifeThe joy of learning was very present in her homeschool experience. Her younger days included art and creativity. Waldorf inspired projects, reading, nature walks. For High School Hannah built her own curriculum. That's when she took full ownership of her learning. Pennsylvania is one of the more regulated US states to homeschool in. They offer state certified homeschool diploma programs. She was on a college path so that was the direction she chose. There were challenges too. It was not all perfect. Going into high school homeschooling was all new to her family. There was a lot of pressure and uncertainty. She almost decided to go back to school for high school. In the end she was happy she chose to stay home. Her high school homeschool was complete with self directed learning. She was able to dive and explore courses and areas she loved. She references an amazing resource- The Teaching Company as one of her favourite tools. Why No CollegeEven though Hannah was on the path to college she decided to not attend. She did not take the decision lightly and in the episode she detailed her reasoning in making that choice. It was well thought out and she took into consideration points that many seem to overlook. This included the actual learning focus ~ pre-requisite courses even though you know what you want to do and the cost of debt. I'd love to hear more about what listeners think about all of her considerations. They rung very true. PraxisHannah's current career is with Praxis, a year long professional development program. The focus is on students that are ready to start their career but need the skills, knowledge and contacts.The "school" year includes a 6 month long development bootcamp and a 6 month paid apprenticeship in a start up company within the Praxis network. Students are learning on the ground how a business functions.Hannah works with students in the first half of the program as their main coach and advisor. Hannah feels that being home educated has given her the skills she needs in her life and career. She is clear on what she wants and still carries an insatiable love of learning. Homeschooling gifted her the habit of being able to explore ideas and deep dive. It also allowed her to be comfortable engaging with a broad array of people. I'm looking forward to having Hannah join me again for a Q&A session. What questions do you have for Hannah? Send them in through email or here. Resource Links and How To Reach Hannah: Praxis The Teaching Company- The Great Courses hannahfrankman.com FaceBook  Instagram Twitter I referenced my interview with Leah McDermott, unschool mom and teacher. Check her episode out here.

Today I’m here with my friend Leah McDermott talking about screens. Leah is a former Master Educator and now unschooling mama of two who brings more natural elements to children’s everyday learning experiences through Your Natural Learner. We go over misconceptions, utilizing technology as a tool, finding balance, and role modeling with your own screen usage. Get the full show notes here: www.sageparenting.com/podcast15 Support the Sage Family Podcast here: www.patreon.com/sagefamily

Inviting kids to cook alongside us can be a daunting idea. This week I was lucky enough to talk to Leah McDermott, of Your Natural Learner, about ways to begin inviting children to be a part of everything from grocery shopping to food prep to clean up. Cooking with children has so many benefits for both you and the child! I learned so much and I know you will too!Resources:Sign up for free recipes: www.yournaturallearner.com/cookingwithchildrenLeah's ebook, Preschoolers Cook: http://www.yournaturallearner.com/product/preschoolerscookebook/Website: www.yournaturallearner.comFB page: www.facebook.com/yournaturallearnerFB group: bit.ly/naturegroupInstagram: www.instagram.com/yournaturallearnerBe sure to follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chroniclesofnannya/And Twitter: https://twitter.com/nannyapodcastAnd Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chroniclesofnannya/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Natural Learning is an Idea Whose Time Has Come Somewhere along the way, we began collectively believing that kids wouldn't learn unless we strongly intervened. Even though we see them natural learning in all areas of life, we believe that in literacy and numeracy we need to intervene and drill from early. Remarkably, nobody seemed to foresee the unintended consequences of this adult meddling in the natural learning capacity of the child. My guest on the podcast, Leah (like Princess Leia from Star Wars) McDermott saw these unintended consequences first-hand in her 5th grade classroom. She had migrated to teaching fifth grade after many years in kindergarten. The first thing she noticed was that the vast majority of students had hardened and closed themselves off to learning. And current studies on the topic confirm Leah's experience. The majority of students in the public education system, by grade four, have decided that they hate school. Unfortunately for those students, and for society as a whole, there is also significant evidence that the majority of those who've identified that they hate school by that age will never change their mind. Seeing these jaded fifth graders was an eye opener for Leah. She had just left kindergarten where students were still bright-eyed and excited to learn. When she invited her kindy students to listen to her read, they came running. The fifth graders knew they were in for an interminable period of testing, leveled reading, and cramming. This radical change in the kids' learning attitude was what informed her educational philosophy and mindset more than anything. When she had kids of her own and started home educating them later, her beliefs were only confirmed. Today, Leah is one of the strongest advocates for natural learning that I've come across. She teaches natural learning to both home educators and schools both in person and online. Her website is an incredible resource for all things natural learning, and this podcast episode reflects her wealth of knowledge. I absolutely loved this one. We talked about so much, and I learned enormously from her. If you're at all interested in natural learning, this episode is a must listen. Leah will put any fears you might have about natural learning to rest, and you'll learn much about how to do it at home.Mentioned in This Episode Leah's Website Your Natural Learner Facebook Group (7000+ members) ACEs Study -- Adverse Childhood Experiences Maslow's Hierarchy of NeedsMore Episodes About Natural Learning and Unschooling Sage Homeschooling Wild and Free Deschool the Adult Mind

Today I’m here with my friend Leah McDermott talking about Reading on the natural learning path. Leah is a former Master Educator and now unschooling mama of two who has made it her mission to help bring more natural elements to children’s everyday learning experiences through her business Your Natural Learner. We cover misconceptions, reading aloud together, extending invitations through the environment, the relevant and contextualized real-life path to reading, role modeling, and trusting the when – the average age literacy develops naturally. Get the full show notes here: www.sageparenting.com/podcast8 Support the Sage Family Podcast here: www.patreon.com/sagefamily

Leah McDermott is a mother of two, natural parenting coach, and education consultant dedicated to helping today’s adults raise a generation of conscious and passionate children through connection to themselves, each other, and the natural world around them. She does this mainly through her work in her business, Your Natural Learner, where she provides nature-inspired curriculum, ebooks for helpful learning, online courses for parents and teachers, in-person workshops and events, and private coaching and consulting services. Since 2011, Leah has been helping families and educators transform the way they connect with their children, making it her mission to change the world one child at a time.Learn more at http://www.yournaturallearner.comIn this interview, you will discover...How the everyday busyness of our lives causes a disruption in the connection with our children. We will focus on how to slow down, identify and hone in on our priorities, and make conscious efforts to say YES to connection with our children. You will walk away feeling like you have the power to transform your relationship with your child with a simple thought and the tiniest word. Your inner thoughts will be forever changed as you learn one easy trick to slowing down and connecting. Connected parenting through the power of yes:- BEING BUSY: We cannot be both busy and connected.- STOP HURRYING YOUR CHILDREN: Do you ever stop to ask your child what they are doing in that moment, and make space to connect with them?- SAYING YES: What does saying yes actually mean?- CONNECTION THROUGH YES: The wonderful thing about saying yes is that it allows us to consciously choose to enter the world of our children.- SETTING YOUR PRIORITIES: As parents we have to be extra careful to protect our space and time and use it wisely before it’s too late.Click here to access your complementary Awakening Discovery Call to explore what is going on in your life, relationship and/or intimacy that is holding you back from living the life you desire. After gaining clarity and insights, if you are interested to learn more about how I can help you, I will be glad to answer any questions regarding any of my one on one sessions, programs, immersions and retreats that may be a fit for you. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Jana (mom of 1) and Melissa (mom of 2) talk about kids and nature: why they need it and how we can make sure they get it. They chat with host Tenille Lafontaine about: why spending time in nature is important for their families easy tips for starting to spend more time outside the important role grandparents can play As educators, Jana and Melissa share their thoughts on: how schools and communities can make it easier for kids to spend time outside how parents can support outdoor classrooms and other efforts to get kids outside at school Our moms also weigh in on recent online posts, including: Christine Alden’s comparison of how bad weather is handled in England and Canada on Lawson.ca Leah McDermott’s Huffington Post article on getting outdoors with your kids even if you hate nature Check out Jana’s blog Wildernook and see how Melissa's love of nature inspired the creation of outdoor learning spaces for her students at Macdonald School in Stockholm, SK. Visit saskatchewaninmotion.ca for more podcasts, tips, tools and inspiration on keeping kids moving.

This is the second in a new series of the Minimalist Moms Podcast. Going Deeper episodes will be less structured with a more conversational tone. This week, I spoke with Leah McDermott of Your Natural Learner about "unschool­ing", also known as "natural learning". Leah shared about her experience "unschooling" her children, education, encouragement to others and more. If you're a homeschooling family or are curious about unschooling/natural learning, this episode is for you!-------------------------------Show Notes for Going Deeper: UnschoolingEnjoy this Podcast?Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your fellow mothers so that they can be inspired to think more and do with less. Order (or review) my recent book, Minimalist Moms: Living & Parenting With SimplicityQuestions? You can contact me through my website, find me on Instagram, or like The Minimalist Moms Page on Facebook.Thanks for listening! For more updates and episodes, visit the website. You may also tune in on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or Stitcher.Checkout the Minimalist Moms Podcast storefront for recommendations from Diane.If you enjoyed today's episode of the Minimalist Moms Podcast, then hit subscribe and share it with your friends!---------------------------------Episode Sponsored by:Ready Set Food | Head over to readysetfood.com/minimalist & use code MINIMALIST for 15% off your first order of Ready, Set, Food! and get your child on started on the path to food freedom today.Thrive Market | Visit thrivemarket.com/minimalist for $80 off your first order of groceries!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/minimalist-moms-podcast2093/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy