Podcasts about self directed education

In this special crossover episode, we're sharing Episode 3 of cosmic cheer squad—our new podcast from the Positive Disintegration Network. Chris and Bee are joined by a very special guest: Emma Nicholson, co-host of Positive Disintegration, for an in-person, around-the-table conversation recorded in Madison, Wisconsin.Together, they reflect on:* How they became friends and collaborators through the theory of positive disintegration* The idea of cosmic pockets as a way to hold intense feelings until it's safe to process them* Inner critics, intrusive thoughts, and how to rewrite old narratives* Parenting yourself while raising others* Emotional trampolines, anti-cults, and resisting illegitimate authority* Why the Gravitron might be the perfect metaphor for developmentPlus: Bee's legendary toffee, Aussie accent jokes, trench coat metaphors, and the beginnings of a truly cozy counterculture.

School's just about out for the summer - now what? Many parents will have signed their kids up for numerous camps and enrichment experiences by now, making sure that they won't have to hear the dreaded “I'm bored!” refrain repeated endlessly. That makes sense since kids are often passive receivers - of entertainment that both their technology and many toys that are made for children provide. They are also often passive recipients of education. Most are required to go to a formal school setting whether or not they want to, where they tend to be externally motivated by systems of rewards and punishments to do what adults tell them to do and learn what they're told to learn and when. This means that many kids these days don't have or take as many opportunities to create their own fun or decide what to do with their time as they once did. Furthermore, high-pressure academic environments can leave kids feeling anxious and depressed about where they fall in grade rankings - or that their scores are worth more than they are. Rather than developing a love of learning, these kids can end up developing the false idea that how they “perform” their learning means more than the learning itself.Transcript: https://project-parenthood.simplecast.com/episodes/5-ways-to-encourage-a-self-directed-summer-encore/transcriptSources: What Is Self-Directed Education? The Alliance for Self-Directed Education.https://www.self-directed.org/sde/. Boles, B. (2018, October 17). Give Kids Control. The Alliance for Self-Directed Education.https://www.self-directed.org/tp/give-kids-control/. Boles, B. (2018, May 24). Teens and Screens. The Alliance for Self-Directed Education.https://www.self-directed.org/tp/teens-and-screens/.Loosli, S. E. (2022, May 15). Do-It-Yourself Summer Camp. Power of Families.https://poweroffamilies.com/do-it-yourself-summer-camp/.Low, C (2021, January 10) How To Help Your Child Be An Independent, Self-Directed Learner. Mamahood. https://story.mamahood.com.sg/help-your-child-be-independent-self-directed-learner/. McDonald, K. (2019, April 23). The Value of A Self-Directed Summer for Kids. FEE Stories. https://fee.org/articles/the-value-of-a-self-directed-summer-for-kids/. Tam, V. C., Chu, P., & Tsang, V. (2023). Engaging in self-directed leisure activities during a homework-free holiday: Impacts on primary school children in Hong Kong. Journal of Global Education and Research, 7(1), 64-80.https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1193&context=jger

My guest today is Tomis Parker, cofounder of the Agile Learning Centers (ALC) network that launched more than a decade ago. Since 2014, Tomis has led business operations at ALC Mosaic in Charlotte, North Carolina, and he recently founded a new project called Prism, which is a web application designed to make it easier to document and communicate the value of emergent, self-directed learning in microschools, homeschool programs, and for homeschooling/unschooling families.  *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly e-newsletter on education entrepreneurship and innovation at edentrepreneur.org.  

A huge part of the shifts we want to see in schools and in education more broadly is more agency, choice-making and self direction for young people. There is an increasingly compelling story about why this is important for them, as well as for the kinds of challenges we're facing in local communities and national and global society. But sometimes what isn't highlighted is the impact of not having those things. What toll does it take on youth well-being and mental health? So this week I'm joined by renowned clinical psychologist and educator Dr Naomi Fisher to help me find out.Naomi is a clinical psychologist, author and EMDR-Europe Accredited trainer. She specialises in trauma, autism and alternative ways to learn. She has a doctorate in clinical psychology from Kings College London (Maudsley), a PhD in developmental cognitive psychology also from Kings College (IoPPN), and a degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of Cambridge. Naomi is also an alumni of UWC Atlantic College, Wales.Whilst in the NHS, Naomi worked in primary care and specialist trauma services in London, as well as neurodevelopmental services. She has worked for the Metropolitan Police and third sector organisations. She now works in private practice with adults, adolescents and children. She runs self-help webinars for parents on how to help their children with common mental health difficulties.Naomi is the author of several books on psychology, mental health and alternative education. She is the author of Changing our Minds: How children can take control of their own learning, A Different Way to Learn: Neurodiversity and Self-Directed Education, When The Naughty Step Makes Things Worse, The Teenager's Guide to Burnout and What Can We Do When School's Not Working?: An Illustrated Handbook for Professionals (with Abigail Fisher). Most of Naomi's books are beautifully illustrated by Eliza Fricker. Social LinksNaomi's substack, Think Again: https://naomicfisher.substack.com/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/naomicfisher/?hl=en LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/naomi-fisher-psychologist/Naomi's website: https://naomifisher.co.uk/

In this episode host Claire Bown talks with Nicky McIntosh, a museum consultant with over 25 years of experience in the UK museum sector.Inspired by her own family's experiences, Nicky specialises in making museums more accessible for children who struggle to attend school and is currently developing a toolkit to support museums and galleries in their work with home educators.Listen in as Nicky shares insights from her Arts Council funded research exploring how museums can better serve the estimated 1.5 million children in England who face barriers to education, and learn about successful case studies from institutions making their spaces more inclusive.If you're interested in making museums more accessible, supporting diverse learning needs, or exploring ways to engage children facing barriers to education, this episode offers valuable insights and practical recommendations.The Art Engager is written and presented by Claire Bown. Editing is by Matt Jacobs and Claire Bown. Music by Richard Bown. Support the show on Patreon.Episode LinksNicky McIntosh on LinkedIn Website: Museum Learning Works – supporting education outside of school - includes links to the reports and survey results from my Developing Your Creative Practice grant funded by Arts Council EnglandInformation about barriers to school attendance UKNot Fine in School - School Refusal, School AttendanceSquare Peg (teamsquarepeg.co.uk)Recommended Publications‘Can't Not Won't: A Story About A Child Who Couldn't Go To School' by Eliza Fricker‘A Different Way to Learn: Neurodiversity and Self-Directed Education' by Dr Naomi Fisher‘Square Pegs: Inclusivity, compassion and fitting in – a guide for schools' by EllieCostello & Fran MorganLinks'The Art Engager: Reimagining Guided Experiences in Museums' is now available worldwide through your favourite online platforms and retailers. Buy it here on Amazon.com: https://tinyurl.com/buytheartengagerThe Art Engager book website: https://www.theartengager.com/Support the show with a simple monthly subscription on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheArtEngager

This episode brings youth rights advocates, Flying Squad facilitators, and unschooling parents Bria Bloom, Alex Khost, and Annie Friday together in conversation about what a self-directed lifestyle can look like in a child's earliest stages of life. Bria was raised in a life without school and is currently unschooling in partnership with a teenager and toddler at home. Alex has been unschooling with four kids for the last 18+ years, currently covering ages spanning from teenagers to toddler. The conversation explores how as adults guiding the lives of young people, we can intentionally include them in our family life, safeguard their rights, and support their curiosities. They discuss the work of the adult which includes bringing awareness to your own inner monologue, anxieties, and pace of life in order to communicate vales and culture to your children. Alex and Bria share personal stories of real life struggles that come up and how they navigate those moments while honoring the personhood and humanity of their child. Find more on Alex Khost and Bria Bloom through the FlyingSquads.org website and the Alliance for Self-Directed Education at self-directed.org Thanks for listening! Links Share a comment or ask a questionSupport the show (and save 10%) when you shop early learning trainings at Explorations Early LearningVisit the show archives to browse and search all episodesMore AnnieMore CandisVisit Blue Bridge School's website or Instagram

In his third appearance on The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, Dr. Peter Gray joins host Ginny Yurich to explore the benefits of self-directed education. Dr. Gray shares personal anecdotes about his son's and brother's educational journeys, highlighting the success of alternative learning environments like the Sudbury Valley School. They delve into the natural ways children learn, the critical role of play and curiosity, and the challenges parents face when breaking away from societal norms. Dr. Gray emphasizes some of the harmful effects of conventional schooling, including increased anxiety and depression, and advocates for an educational paradigm that fosters true passion and interest. Listen in to discover why children are biologically designed to educate themselves and how parents and teachers can create the ideal environment for childhood play and learning. ** Get your copy of Dr. Peter's book here >> Evidence that Self-Directed Education Works Check out Dr. Peter Gray's Substack here >> Play Makes Us Human ** Download your free 1000 Hours Outside tracker here >> https://www.1000hoursoutside.com/trackers Find everything you need to kick off your 1000 Hours Outside Journey here >> https://www.1000hoursoutside.com/blog/allthethings Order of copy of Ginny's newest book, Until the Streetlights Come On here >> https://amzn.to/3RXjBlN Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Radical Learning Talks, we talk about what culture creation is and why we find it to be one of the most important things to focus on when choosing to walk the unconventional path of Self-Directed Education. Culture creation is about putting words on what is important for everyone, and consciously embodying those values. This link is often what's missing for most people who want to make the paradigm shift from conventional schooling to SDE. Whether your family is unschooling or you're running (or thinking about starting) an SDE learning center, it's crucial to understand WHAT exactly you're walking away from so that you don't copy/paste those systems in the new path forward.

Are you worried that more kids today feel scared or sad? Do you think how we raise and teach kids might be part of the problem? It's not just phones or computers that might be hurting kids. Being too protective or having too many rules can also cause trouble. When kids don't get to play freely or do things on their own, it can slow down how they learn to think and feel. If we change how we think about raising and teaching kids, we might find better ways to help them. This could help kids become stronger, braver, and better at learning independently. In this episode, meet Peter Gray, a renowned psychologist and researcher who has significantly contributed to our understanding of play, education, and child development. His advocacy is self-directed education, and he has criticized conventional schooling methods. Tune in to learn more about parenting, fostering children, flaws in conventional schooling methods, the power of using technology, and more! Quotes: "We're not allowing them to do what children have always needed to do to grow up, which is to have time to play, to explore, to daydream, to mess around." – Peter Gray "We trust children because we've trained them on what to do, where to go, where not to go, who to talk to, how to talk to them, what they are capable of. And we trust them and believe them, and they stay rise to the occasion every single time." – Matt Beaudreau "We live in an era of technology; if you're not allowing kids to use this technology until a certain age, you're depriving them of a very valuable learning experience." – Peter Gray Takeaways: Let free play be unstructured for kids to develop creativity and problem-solving skills while boosting emotional development. Question the negative impact of overscheduling and too much adult oversight can have on worsening anxiety and depression in young children. Promote developmentally appropriate independence and risk-taking in children's play to spark self-assurance, grit, and bravery. This method helps empower kids with important life skills and strong self-esteem. Focus on engagement-driven, interest-based learning with a departure from hard age stage gates, especially for foundational skills like reading. The solution is not just to shelter children's use of digital technology but instead guide them towards responsible usage as good citizens in the real world. Conclusion: Kids need time to play freely without too many rules. This helps them grow and learn. Too many schedules and always watching kids might make them worried or sad. Let kids try new things independently, as long as it's safe for their age. This helps them become braver and stronger. Games and technology can be good for kids' minds if used the right way. When kids learn about things they like, they often learn better. This can even help them choose jobs they'll enjoy later. Don't protect kids too much. Trust that they can do more than you might think. If we change how we help kids grow up, we can be better parents and teachers. This way, kids can become more confident and capable.

Section 6: Self-directed Education in Agile Learning Centers by Holding Unfolding

Section 3: Self-Directed Education by Holding Unfolding

Christen Parker-Yarnal is the cofounder of the Miami Sudbury School in Miami, Florida, a fully self-directed, democratic K-12 private school modeled after the flagship Sudbury Valley School that was founded in Massachusetts in 1968. Christen was a conventional school teacher for several years in St. Louis, then moved back to Miami where she grew up, unschooled her 3 children, and launched Miami Sudbury School in 2018.  *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly email newsletter on education trends at fee.org/liberated.

Karema Akilah is witty, a visionary, a force, and an inspiration. She is a widowed mother of six children, a trained teacher turned unschooling mom and the creator of The Genius School and GeniiDAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization).   This episode is full of insight and ideas for creating foundational, supportive frameworks in our homes, communities, and online spaces. Karema shares the “x factor” of the Genius School which is guided by the 5 Pillars of Invitation: Know Thyself, Know Thy Source, Know How to be Financially Self-Sustainable, Know they World, Serve Thy Community with Thy Genius And we discuss the next big frontier in education: Web3 and cryptocurrency! Karema's community is thinking big and taking action to find a solution to the micro school funding problem. They have developed their own crypto, the $BeMe token, and aim to fund seven micro schools and their staff, support self-directed learners, and revolutionize education. As she says, “we can do what we've always done, and we'll get what we've always gotten” or you can do things differently and that's what Karema and her community are doing. Plus, you are invited to join the education revolution, too! To learn more about how to get involved and to provide support for the children and families who wish to utilize self-directed education communities, here are a few steps you can take: Join the GeniiDao Mighty Network community here: https://genii-5pillargeniuscommunities.mn.co/share/RYP4dE_7Rxi-z36G Read more about The Genius School here: https://www.thegeniusschool.org/about Purchase the merch kids have made here: https://www.bonfire.com/store/genii/ If you already have a crypto wallet, be on the lookout for the $BeMe token If you don't have a crypto wallet and want to create one, this is a great read for beginners: https://financebuzz.com/set-up-crypto-wallet Here is where to follow token performance: https://coinmarketcap.com/ Follow Karema on Instagram @geniidaocommunity Help create $BeMe memes and/or SHARE to raise awareness and funds! Also mentioned, Dr. Glenn Doman: https://iahp.org/about-glenn-doman/ For more of Missy's writing and work, follow along on Instagram @letemgobarefoot and Substack: https://substack.com/@letemgobarefoot To purchase a copy of Life Unschooled, click here.  

After braving the fierce winters of Siberia, our guest takes us on a fascinating journey into the world of airsoft in this action-packed episode. From his love for first-person shooter games to his seamless transition into real-life airsoft battles, our guest shares thrilling tales of his adventures. We also explore how his ADHD fuels his intense focus and shatters common misconceptions about life in Russia. Join us as we uncover the transformative power of self-directed education, delve into the evolving landscape of military simulation, and discuss the potential for AI to revolutionize the airsoft experience.In this captivating episode, we sit down with a self-taught coder who embarked on an incredible journey from Siberia to the United States. Discover how his pursuit of passion led him to transition from a business analyst to a programmer, defying conventional learning systems. We also share our own stories of hands-on learning and skill acquisition, highlighting the immense value of following personal interests and goals. It's a conversation that underscores the power of self-directed education and the empowerment that comes with pursuing what truly excites us.Prepare to be blown away as we explore the cutting-edge world of military simulation and the integration of AI into the airsoft experience. Our guest shares his collaboration on an AI command system that has the potential to revolutionize the chaos of milsim events. We discuss the transformative impact of AI on communication optimization and military strategies, inviting you to imagine a future where AI enhances situational awareness and decision-making on the battlefield. This thrilling chat will leave you eager for the advancements to come and may just catch the attention of the FBI with its advanced endeavors!https://www.instagram.com/raymanyyy/ Support the showThank you everyone for the support. Don't forget to leave a rating on whatever podcast app you listen to this on. It helps get this suggested to others with similar interests. Podcast SponsorsSKIRMESHhttps://www.instagram.com/skirmesh_airsoft/https://play.skirmesh.net/public/homeJACKAL TACTICALhttps://www.instagram.com/jackal_tactical_airsoft/https://www.otherworldmilsim.com/ Watch all of our podcasts hereYouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@TriFectaAirsoft/videos AnchorFMhttps://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/01jFx7ebrxb Rumblehttps://rumble.com/c/TriFectaAirsoftMerchhttps://my-store-e7676e.creator-spring.comSub to YouTube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqMpG3H_J70S_H8TlI9Onog?sub_confirmation=1

In episode 59 of the Alpine Valley School podcast, we share an insightful interview with Addison Ault, a former special education teacher who has transitioned to a staff role at Alpine Valley School, a self-directed democratic school located in Denver. Addison shares her profound insights on supporting students with neurodiversity, drawing from her rich background in mainstream education. Through her interview, listeners will explore the importance of empathy, individualized support, and creating inclusive environments that celebrate every student's unique journey. Addison's experiences and perspectives offer valuable lessons on embracing and understanding neurodiversity in alternative educational settings, promising an enlightening listen for educators, parents, and advocates alike.  Join us at the Global Self-Directed Democratic School Conference, hosted by Alpine Valley School from July 10th to 14th, 2024, for an inspiring gathering of educators, students, and advocates of self-directed democratic schooling. This unique event offers a platform for networking, participant-driven sessions, and insights into our unique model. For more information and to register, visit our website at https://www.alpinevalleyschool.com/conference. Don't miss this opportunity to be part of a transformative educational movement! Show notes for this episode available at https://www.alpinevalleyschool.com/podcast/ep59 Want More?  Episode Addison mentions in the interview: EP 34: If Our Daughter Died Tomorrow, Would We Be Happy With How She Lived?  Podcast Episode: What Special Needs Tell Us About Schools featuring Dr. Naomi Fisher Book: A Different Way to Learn - Neurodiversity and Self-Directed Education by Dr. Naomi Fisher  Article: Becoming Yourself - Neurodiversity and Self-Directed Education   

In the latest episode, Colleen sits down with the talented Millie Florence, whose literary works are captivating readers of all ages. Prepare to be swept into a world of persistent dreams, sibling dynamics, and the sheer courage of pursuing one's passion – all in the backdrop of historical and high fantasy. In this episode, you'll hear about: The unique process Millie underwent to find a publisher that cherishes the quirky and indefinable genre of her books. The varied paths to getting published and the importance of steadfastness and strategy. The role that familial support plays in fostering creativity and confidence in young authors. Key Takeaways: Learn how to be your child's biggest cheerleader in their creative endeavors. Explore strategies for marketing at events and online to reach a wider audience. Understand the significance of self-education, curiosity, and tailored learning environments in raising lifelong learners. Don't miss out on this enriching discussion – perfect for aspiring writers, parents, and anyone with a love for literature and learning. Links and Resources from Today's Show SPONSOR | CTC Math SPONSOR | Night ZooKeeper Raising Lifelong Learners Membership Community - The Learners Lab Find out more about Millie Florence at MillieFlorence.com Millie's latest book The Balter of Ashton Harper Millie's first book Honey Butter Raising Resilient Sons by Colleen Kessler, M.Ed. Create a Custom Homeschool The Learning Game | A Conversation with Ana Lorena Fabrega Interest-Led Learning In The Early Years: Preschool and Beyond Homeschooling Our Gifted Children: The Power Of Artful Questions  Why Unit Studies are Ideal for Interest-led Learning Homeschooling Middle School Using Your Own Interest-Based Curriculum Homeschooling Your Gifted Child With Interest-Led Learning RLL #107: Learning as an Unschooling Family with Robyn Robertson Homeschooling High School With Interest-Led Learning RLL #68: Self-Directed Education with Peter Gray, PhD  Connect with Millie You can find Millie on Intagram, Facebook, and YouTubeMillie's website: MillieFlorence.comNewsletter Sign Up and Free Gift: millieflorence.com/free Connect with Colleen You can find Colleen on Twitter, Facebook, InstagramHow does your child learn best? Take the Quiz!

"I remember the day I threw the school bell out the window – figuratively, of course. It marked my family's leap into unschooling." Jo Isaac shares her journey through the transformative world of self-directed learning, where children lead, and education is as dynamic as the rhythms of life itself. Stepping away from the conventional classroom, we share how our roles evolved from enforcing lessons to fostering a nurturing environment ripe for curiosity and growth.Unschooling isn't merely an educational choice; it's a voyage of mutual discovery and personal development. In this episode, we explore the power of unschooling to shape relationships, with anecdotes about learning history through interactive play, assembling computers, and even those heart-pounding first driving lessons.It's about taking your child's hand and stepping into a world where learning is not confined to textbooks but explodes with vibrancy in every shared experience. We also touch on the emotional rollercoaster that comes with watching our kids mature into independence, an experience both sweet and poignant.Every moment holds the potential for learning, growth, and a deeper connection with our children.

Today we are talking with Ana Lorena Fábrega about interest-led, project based learning.  Ana is an author, edupreneur, and Chief Evangelist at Synthesis. Growing up, she attended ten schools in seven different countries. She then earned her BS in Childhood Education and Special Education from New York University and taught elementary school in New York, Boston, and Panama. Today, Ana Lorena writes online to over 200,000 readers about the promise of alternative education. If you need some encouragement to continue, or even start taking a more interest-based focus in your homeschool, then pop in your earbuds and listen in! Our sponsors for today's episode are CTC Math and Night Zookeeper Links and Resources from Today's Show Raising Lifelong Learners Membership Community - The Learners Lab The Learning Game by Ana Lorena Fábrega Raising Resilient Sons by Colleen Kessler, M.Ed. The Power Of Inquiry Based Learning For Gifted Children Interest Led Homeschooling: Helping Your Child Find Their Interests Create a Multimodal Learning Environment  Nurturing a Strength-Based Approach to Learning in Homeschooling  Project Based Learning And Your Gifted Child: A Guide For Parents  RLL #96: Finding Learning Opportunities with Dennis DeNoia  RLL #68: Self-Directed Education with Peter Gray, PhD  RLL #64: What to Do When School Doesn't Work  Homeschooling Your Gifted Child With Interest-Led Learning  Homeschooling High School With Interest-Led Learning  Synthesis Review For Gifted Children: Everything You Need To Know Connect with Ana You can find Ana on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube Learn more about The Learning Game at https://afabrega.com/ Connect with Colleen You can find Colleen on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram How does your child learn best? Take the Quiz!

Today we are delighted to have Ginny Yurich share with us how spending time outside will help our kids thrive. Ginny is a Michigan homeschooling mother of five and the founder of 1000 Hours Outside, a global movement, media company and lifestyle brand meant to bring back balance between virtual life and real life. She is a thought-leader in the world of nature-based play and its benefits for children, and one of her top priorities is to inspire parents to invest in spending time in God's creation with their children. Her 1000 Hours Outside Challenge spans the globe and many people from all walks of life look to her for inspiration as well as practical tips on how to put down the screens and get outside. Our sponsor for today's episode is CTC Math  Links and Resources from Today's Show Raising Lifelong Learners Membership Community - The Learners Lab 1000 Hours Outside - Prioritize Nature, Reclaim Childhood and Experience A Fuller Life by Ginny Yurich Until The Streetlights Come On by Ginny Yurich 1000 Hours Outside Activity Book by Ginny Yurich Raising Resilient Sons by Colleen Kessler, M.Ed. 100 Backyard Activities That Are the Dirtiest, Coolest, Creepy-Crawliest Ever! by Colleen Kessler, M.Ed. Hands-On Ecology: Authentic Learning Experiences That Engage Students in STEM by Colleen Kessler, M.Ed. Free to Learn  by Peter Gray Balanced and Barefoot: How Unrestricted Outdoor Play Makes for Strong, Confident, and Capable Children by Angela J. Hanscom Ready or Not: Preparing Our Kids to Thrive in an Uncertain and Rapidly Changing World by Madeline Levine, PhD Moms, You Are Doing A Great Job RLL #68: Self-Directed Education with Peter Gray, PhD Surviving Different Weather Conditions | Think Outside Boxes Surviving the Elements | Think Outside Boxes RLL #43: Getting Your Kids Outside with Justin Wren 5 Great Outdoor Activities for Kids Fabulous Outdoor Play Spaces Connect with Ginny You can find Ginny here on Instagram For her blog, podcast, and books check out 1000 Hours Outside Connect with Colleen You can find Colleen on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram How does your child learn best? Take the Quiz!

A couple of years ago I was watching a session of the Alliance for Self-Directed Education's online conference by unschooling advocate Idzie Desmerais. At some point she dropped a quote into her presentation that I jotted down but didn't think much of at the time: What if your ideas about politics were just your ideas about childhood, extrapolated? I returned to my notes some months later, having spent much of that time immersed in writing the first draft of the book, the quote almost took my breath away. There, right in front of me, was a single sentence that encapsulated so much of what I'd been thinking and writing about. On the surface, it may seem as though these topics are completely unrelated but they are actually intimately connected. We use politics set up systems that support the culture we want to live in. We create systems that make it harder to vote because we don't think everyone should be able to vote - especially if you aren't White, male, or at least middle...

Meet Bria Bloom, Executive Director of the Alliance for Self-Directed Education (ASDE) and a passionate advocate for alternative education methods. Raised in the philosophy of self-directed education, Bria didn't attend conventional schooling until age 16. She later designed her own baccalaureate and earned an M.S. in early childhood education. Today, she wears multiple hats: running PDX Flying Squads, an adventure group for young people; co-hosting the podcast Rethinking Self-Directed Education; and offering parent coaching in partnership parenting.In this episode, Bria challenges traditional notions of schooling and emphasizes the importance of language semantics in understanding alternative education methods like unschooling and age mixing. She also discusses the transitions of unschooled children to higher education and questions the standards of the traditional school system. The episode concludes with an introduction to 'flying squads,' self-directed communities that learn in urban settings.Whether you're a parent, educator, or student, this conversation offers fresh perspectives on parenting and education. Tune in to broaden your horizons on self-directed education!▬ EPISODE LINKS ▬Alliance for Self-Directed Education (ASDE) - https://www.self-directed.org/Bria Blooms website: https://briabloom.com/ Flying Squads: https://www.flyingsquads.org/Brias Flying Squad group: https://briabloom.com/pdx-flying-squad/ Bria Bloom on SubStack: https://partnershipparenting.substack.com/ Here is the podcast interview Bria mentioned in our talk: https://playvolutionhq.com/ool_0041-defining-self-directed-education-2/

A common question about unconventional educational models, and especially about self-directed ones that put young people in charge of their own education, is how do kids turn out? To help answer that question I've invited Evan Hughes, who attended the renowned Sudbury Valley School in Framingham, MA for his childhood and adolescence, and now sends his son there as well.  Sudbury Valley was founded in 1968 and has since inspired the creation of dozens of Sudbury-model schools around the world. It prioritizes non-coercive, self-directed education within a democratically run community where adults and children have equal say in school operations, rule-making and enforcement, hiring and firing decisions, and so on. There are no adult-imposed classes, no grades, no curriculum or top-down evaluative measures. So how exactly does a person learn in this environment? *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly email newsletter on education trends at fee.org/liberated.

I am delighted to share this truly beautiful conversation with Je'anna Clements who is a writer, Young People's Assistant at Riverstone Village, European Democratic Education Community (EUDEC) Oversight Committee Member and Training Materials Developer. If you have been wondering what Self Directed Education (SDE) is then look no further. This conversation is just what you need. It was such a delight talking with Je'anna who selflessly shared all her insights and experience with me in this imperfectly perfect conversation. I am sure you will enjoy every minute, as much as I did.

Our Resilient Community ALC is a Georgia-based microschool for LGBTQ+ youth. It is part of the Agile Learning Centers (ALC) network of self-directed education schools and homeschool learning centers across the US and around the world. Thea Canby and Nicole Gustafson cofounded Our Resilient Community in January 2022, but both of them had been working at an ALC prior to launch, and each have more than 10 years of experience as educators. *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly email newsletter on education trends at fee.org/liberated.

What is self-directed education? This week on the Complicated Kids Podcast, I sit with Catina Sweedy from the Embark Center for Self-Directed Education to talk about just that.   We discuss the benefits of an education model where kids are “in charge” who benefits from that model, and how. We also talk about why traditional educational models often don't serve “square peg” kids. Listen to the podcast to hear more about this alternative form of education.   To find out more about Catina and her non-profit, visit www.embarkcenter.org.

Annie and Candis go straight to the source in this episode as they are joined by Bria Bloom, Executive Director of the Alliance for Self-Directed Education. Bria breaks down the term self-directed education, more commonly known as SDE. The conversation covers the nuances of language around this type of alternative education that includes unschooling, independent learning, and sometimes even conventional school life. Together we explore the idea of what life could look like with a completely different attitude toward schooling in this country. Find more information and tons of resources from the Alliance for Self-Directed Education here.

In episode 37, Chris and Emma talked with Marni Kammersell, a 2e adult, doctoral student at Bridges Graduate School, and parent of three 2e children in Colorado. We started this episode by discussing our concerns about how overexcitabilities are sometimes interpreted in the gifted community. Parents of gifted and 2e children sometimes discover the OEs and stop there without exploring the types of neurodivergence that may be present in their children. We talked about the reality that it's possible to have a healthy neurodivergent identity without pathologizing oneself. Marni shared experiences from her journey as a 2e parent of 2e kids who have never attended formal schooling. She broached the idea that people should get to decide for themselves which words apply to their experiences and which communities they choose to associate with. Emma had freshly read Dąbrowski's book Psychoneurosis is Not an Illness when we recorded this episode and talked about his pioneering work as a clinician who was neurodiversity-affirming before that term existed. In his work, there is a clear message that being different doesn't mean you're defective. We learned about self-directed education, what that means, and how at its core, it is based on trusting children—and trusting all humans because, ideally, we should all become self-directed learners by the time formal schooling ends. Self-directed education and unschooling are grounded in children's rights and youth liberation, while traditional education operates top-down with a power over dynamic rather than power with. Marni also talked about the difference between homeschooling and unschooling. At the end of our discussion, we also discussed self-directed education in adulthood. The Positive Disintegration Study Group was mentioned more than once in this episode. If you're interested in joining the group, which meets monthly on Zoom, you can write to Chris at positivedisintegration.pod@gmail.com. The group requires a six-month commitment and a small monthly fee. Links from this episodeNurturing Neurodiversity (Marni's website)Alliance for Self-Directed EducationUnschooling Every Family (Facebook group)Teenage Liberation Handbook by Grace Llewellyn (Amazon)Free to Learn by Peter Gray (publisher site)Social links and other info:Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/positivedisintegrationpod)Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/positivedisintegration_podcast/)Twitter (https://twitter.com/DabrowskiPod)Join the Adults with Overexcitabilities group on FacebookJoin Dabrowski Center and Positive Disintegration Podcast Community on FacebookPlease, consider supporting the podcast. Positive Disintegration is brought to you by the Dabrowski Center. You can find our merch here on Bonfire.Subscribe here for the Dabrowski Center's monthly newsletter and information about the 2024 Dabrowski Congress.If you enjoyed this episode on Apple or Spotify, remember to click on the stars and leave a rating or write a review. Thank you! Get full access to Positive Disintegration at positivedisintegration.substack.com/subscribe

Annie Friday and Candis Ogilvie share a bit on their shared purpose, obstacles to it, and what first brought them together in their journey into the world of Self-Directed Education or SDE. They also spend some time reflecting on what they have been learning from their podcast guests so far this season. Highlights include the special time shared with Adventure Grandma and learning from incredible young people like Ben and Genevieve who are currently kicking off their cross-country unschooling road trip.

in episode 2 of season 2, meghan shares a conversation she had with Alexander Khost after his reading of his article, (Self- Directed) Education is a Political Act for episode 1 - they discuss so much that the chat went well over an hour! tune in to hear a big discussion about, the way society sees children, youth rights, and some nuances that may have been missed around the way education of all flavors and types does infact shape a young persons political lens in our geopolitical world. we tie our conversation together with the ask that other adults see young people as colleagues.  Email Alex at AKHOST@gmail.com You can find Alex's writing on, tipping points https://www.self-directed.org/tp/education-is-a-political-act/ Head to theunschoolfiles.com  to join meghan in community and find resources and other exciting things!  partner with her over at patreon.com/theunschoolfiles to support the work they do!

it's season 2 of The Unschool Files Podcast! this series of episodes is dedicated to Self-Directed Education and Community Care - each episode will feature conversations with facilitators, young people, parents, teachers turned SDE practitioners + youth rights advocates on how their centers, schools and co-ops are meeting the unique needs of their communities. we will hear conversations that cover everything from how they make decisions, handle conflict and provide a space for autonomous learning with a focus on community care, and everyone's needs being met. we will be stepping out of theory and into practice. the first episode of season 2 is unique, as it is broken in two parts. part 1 is an accessible reading of an article by Alexander Khost, Self- Directed Education is a Political Act, A look at the various current definitions of “freedom” in Self-Directed Education, their historic roots, and their correlation to political ideologies. published in Tipping Points Magazine in January of 2020 Link to the article here: https://www.self-directed.org/tp/education-is-a-political-act/ you can find meghan at theunschoolfiles.com Become a Patron for as little as $1 patreon.com/theunschoolfiles to help support this work

This is part two of my conversation with Dr Peter Gray. In this episode we discuss what play is, what it is not, as well as modern ways that children play, namely video games. As a psychologist, Dr Gray has done immense amounts of research on the cognitive effects of video games and addiction, and I was surprised at what he has to say about them. Peter Gray is a research professor of psychology and neuroscience at Boston College who has conducted and published research in behavioral biology, developmental psychology, anthropology, and education. He is author of an internationally acclaimed introductory psychology textbook (Psychology, Worth Publishers, now in its 8th edition), which views all of psychology from an evolutionary perspective. His recent research focuses on the role of play in human evolution and how children educate themselves through play and exploration, when they are free to do so. He has expanded on these ideas in his book, Free to Learn: Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for Life (Basic Books), which has been translated into 18 languages. He also authors a regular blog called Freedom to Learn, for Psychology Today magazine. He is one of the founders of the nonprofit Alliance for Self-Directed Education and of the nonprofit Let Grow, the mission of which is to renew children's freedom to play and explore independently of adult control. You can follow him on Facebook and find many of his published articles on his website . Show Notes: Playborhood: Turn Your Neighborhood Into a Place For Play by Mike Lanza --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jessica9025/support

On this episode of the Classroom Matters podcast, host Kristy Houle talks with Mae Caratachea, former Co-President of the Saint Louis Sudbury School. The school is based on the principle that we are born curious and learn best when we initiate our own learning. They offer entirely Self-Directed Education in a self-governing democracy for students ages 5-18. No required curriculum, no homework, no tests, no grades. Website: https://stlsudbury.org/

Charlotte Mason said that “When we say that 'education is an atmosphere,' we do not mean that a child should be isolated in what may be called a 'child-environment' especially adapted and prepared, but that we should take into account the educational value of his natural home atmosphere, both as regards persons and things, and should let him live freely among his proper conditions. It stultifies a child to bring down his world to the child's level.” To help me understand the educational value of the the natural home environment, I've invited Dr Peter Gray on the podcast today to discuss his experience and research in this area. This episode is part 1 of our conversation. We cover topics like why a classroom environment does not foster meaningful learning, why children learn better from from real life experiences, why public schools were started (and how they operate), and why the classroom environment actually nurtures anxiety, stress and bullying. Peter Gray is a research professor of psychology and neuroscience at Boston College who has conducted and published research in behavioral biology, developmental psychology, anthropology, and education. He is author of an internationally acclaimed introductory psychology textbook (Psychology, Worth Publishers, now in its 8th edition), which views all of psychology from an evolutionary perspective. His recent research focuses on the role of play in human evolution and how children educate themselves through play and exploration, when they are free to do so. He has expanded on these ideas in his book, Free to Learn: Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for Life (Basic Books), which has been translated into 18 languages. He also authors a regular blog called Freedom to Learn , for Psychology Today magazine. He is one of the founders of the nonprofit Alliance for Self-Directed Education and of the nonprofit Let Grow , the mission of which is to renew children's freedom to play and explore independently of adult control. You can follow him on Facebook and find many of his published articles on his website . --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jessica9025/support

Dr. Edith Ubuntu Chan is a teacher of consciousness & human potential, a Holistic Medicine Doctor, an author, speaker, coach, mama of two, and creator of the groundbreaking "Luminous Education Revolution." Her journey began in 2003 after a series of meditation-induced mystical experiences that changed her perception of human possibilities forever. Since then, she has devoted her life to unlocking the secrets to our Human Potential. Her work weaves together ancient wisdom with the new science of consciousness, medicine, and spirituality.  Dr. Edith's first book SuperWellness features a foreword by Wim Hof and offers a powerful distillation of her first 15 years of clinical experience.   Her upcoming 2nd book "Luminous Kids, Luminous Education" explores humanity's transition into the new paradigm of awakened living - with a focus on children, education, parenthood, and family life. It draws inspiration from her personal journey of conscious conception, home birth, child-led self-directed education, homeschooling, unschooling, community building, and holistic family life. It aims to spark a new conversation about our evolution in consciousness as a human family. Resources: Dr. Edith's Website: https://www.dredithubuntu.com/ Luminous Education: https://www.luminousrevolution.com/ Dr. Edith's Book: SuperWellness Her Instagram: @redithubuntu  

Peter Gray, a research professor of psychology at Boston College, joins Tim to talk about whatever happened to free play among children. This is a problem in society. The fact that kids aren't playing in the same ways or as much as they used to. And what it all means. Peter has conducted and published groundbreaking research in the area of play in human evolution. https://traffic.libsyn.com/forcedn/shapingopinion/Peter_Gray_-_Play_auphonic.mp3 If I were to say the word, “play” to you, what would that make you think of? Would you wonder if I'm talking about playing a game, or playing a sport? Would you think I'm talking about tennis or golf? What if I were to talk about kids at play? What would that make you think of? Close your eyes. Do you see a group of kids at play? Is there an adult in the picture? Or, are they just playing amongst themselves? These are critical questions. And believe it or not, play, is a very important topic. In preparing for today's episode, our guest, Peter Gray, shared a paper he wrote recently for the Journal of Pediatrics. In it, Peter and his co-authors, dig deep into a problem in society. There has been a decline in what they call “independent activity” and it's hurting kids. That “independent activity” is otherwise known as play. Peter makes the case that the rise of anxiety and depression among kids of school age, and of teenagers in the U.S. is at an all-time high. They draw a correlation between this trend, and a steady decline in the chance for kids and teens to play in ways their parents did when they were kids. In ways their parents may have taken for granted. The first thing I wanted to ask Peter was, “What's the difference between playing on an organized baseball team or a soccer team, and the kind of play that he says is on the decline?” Links Peter Gray's Substack - Play Makes Us Human The Play of Animals, by Karl Groos (Amazon) The Play of Man, by Karl Groos (Amazon) Peter Gray TED Talk on Play (YouTube) Peter Gray, Boston College Free to Learn, by Peter Gray (Amazon) It's Complicated: The Social Lives of Networked Teens, by Dana Boyd (Amazon) Let Grow (website) Free Range Kids, by Lenore Skenazy (Amazon) Freedom To Learn, Psychology Today blog, by Peter Gray About this Episode's Guest Peter Gray Psychologist Peter Gray, faculty emeritus, photographed to accompany a story about his new book, "Free to Learn," which concerns the importance of play for children's healthy development and ability to thrive. Peter Gray is a research professor of psychology at Boston College who has conducted and published research in neuroendocrinology, developmental psychology, anthropology, and education. He is author of an internationally acclaimed introductory psychology textbook, now in its 8th edition, which brings an evolutionary perspective to the entire field. His recent research focuses on the roles of play in human evolution and how children educate themselves, through play and exploration, when they are free to do so. He has expanded on these ideas in his book, Free to Learn (Basic Books). His research includes surveys of grown un-schoolers and graduates of a school designed for Self-Directed Education. He also authors a regular blog called Freedom to Learn, for Psychology Today magazine. His research findings have led him to become an advocate of Self-Directed Education. He is a founding member and president of the Alliance for Self-Directed Education.  

Dr. Gina Riley is an educational psychologist, clinical professor, and program leader of the Adolescent Special Education Program at City University of New York (CUNY)–Hunter College. She has over 15 years experience working with teens diagnosed with learning disabilities and emotional/behavioral disorders. She is also widely published in the fields of special education, psychology, school psychology, and mental health counseling.  My listeners may know Gina most for her internationally-renowned work in the fields of homeschooling, unschooling, and self-directed learning. She has authored numerous academic journal articles on unschooling and self-directed education, as well as co-authored many others with Boston College professor Peter Gray (episode #12). Gina is the author of the 2021 book,  The Homeschooling Starter Guide: How to Create and Adapt the Best Education Action Plan for Your Needs. Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly email newsletter on education trends at fee.org/liberated.

Self-directed education is a tough concept for many people to grasp. It challenges the ways in which many of us were educated, and the ways many of our children continue to be educated, by flipping the entire idea of education as a top-down model of coercive schooling to a bottom-up model of individual agency and self-determination. My 2019 book, Unschooled: Raising Curious Well-Educated Children Outside the Conventional Classroom, details the history and philosophy of non-coercive, self-directed education tied to one's individual interests, goals, and life pursuits.  One place that has become a beacon for parents and educators interested in the philosophy and practice of self-directed education is the Sudbury Valley School, that I write extensively about in Unschooled. Sudbury Valley was founded in Framingham, Massachusetts in 1968 and continues to flourish today more than 50 years later. It has also inspired the creation of dozens of democratic, Sudbury-model schools around the world, as well as various unschooling programs. If you remember back to episode 39 in October, I interviewed Sudbury Valley School cofounder, Mimsy Sadofsky, and explained why my husband and I decided to send our children there instead of continuing with homeschooling. But today I thought it would be interesting and insightful to hear from another parent, Nick Warren, who pulled his two children out of public school in 2021 and enrolled them at Sudbury Valley. Like us, Nick and his wife drive a long distance each way every day so that their kids can attend Sudbury Valley, but it's totally worth it. We talk more about why that is in today's show.  Sign up for my free, weekly email newsletter on education trends at fee.org/liberated.

My guest today is Domari Dickenson. Domari shares how she got started on her Conscious Parenting & Positive Discipline journey. They discuss what Conscious Parenting, Positive Parenting, & Gentle Parenting mean and if those are helpful labels. Domari shares her tips for those of us who are transitioning to a different parenting style, including identifying & digging into your own triggers, leading with love & grace, and feeling all of your feelings.  Domari Dickinson is an unschooling mom of four, a certified Positive Discipline Parent Educator, and a liberation partner. She provides specialized programs and coaching services that invite parents to identify their oppressive parenting practices while co-creating spaces where they can discuss how to implement more liberatory, love-centered practices that are focused on freedom, respect, and autonomy. Domari is also an educational consultant and serves on the board for the Alliance of Self-Directed Education. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Fran chats to Nadia Erlendson about creating and running a self-directed, consent-based community of young people in Pai, Thailand. They talk about how consent-based decisions are made, gathering as a group, respecting autonomy in our young people, the ways relationships can control and empower, and much more. Nadia is an International School Educator turned Unschooling parent and Self Directed Education facilitator. After years of exploring humanistic approaches to teaching and learning in the classroom, Nadia left the school system to explore how she could contribute to community as an educator outside of schools. While in search of an unschooled community for own children, her and her partner decided to open their own mixed age, consent-based, self directed learning community in the mountains of Pai, Thailand. You can find Nadia @regenerativeparentingedu Find Fran @bigmothering --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consentbasedeverything/message

Gayle Nagle and Maura Duignan founded the Sligo Sudbury School in Sligo, Ireland in 2018. The Sligo Sudbury School is one of dozens of Sudbury-style schools around the world that are modeled after the original Sudbury Valley School in Framingham, Massachusetts that was founded in 1968. Sudbury schools value freedom and autonomy, non-coercive learning, personal responsibility, and democratic self-governance.  In episode 39, I interviewed Sudbury Valley School cofounder Mimsy Sadofsky, and I wrote extensively about Sudbury Valley and the Sudbury model of self-directed education in my Unschooled book. Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly email newsletter on education trends and extra podcast content at fee.org/liberated.

My guest this week is Blake Boles, the self-directed learning advocate behind Unschool Adventures and the author of several books on unschooling, including The Art of Self-Directed Learning, Better Than College, and College Without High School, as well as the host of the Off-Trail Learning podcast. Now… you may be reading this and thinking, I'm not homeschooling my child or “unschooling” isn't my thing. But I'm going to encourage you to listen to what Blake has to say. Because regardless of your child's educational circumstances, there is wisdom to be gleaned from Blake's philosophy on self-directed learning and helping our kids grow up into intrinsically motivated humans who understand themselves and are driven to seek out the information and resources they need to achieve their goals. I also love that Blake's approach beautifully challenges those traditional timelines that our differently wired kids often don't meet anyway. So… have a listen and let me know what you think. I'm curious to hear how this lands with you. Blake Boles is the founder and director of Unschool Adventures and the author of The Art of Self-Directed Learning, Better Than College, and College Without High School.  He hosts the Off-Trail Learning podcast, speaks for alternative schools, writes for The Alliance for Self-Directed Education, and has keynoted multiple homeschooling conferences.  Things you'll learn from this episode What unschooling actually is (in comparison with traditional or eclectic homeschooling)The most common myths and assumptions surrounding unschooled kidsHow intrinsic motivation is the key to helping a student learn what they want to learn when they're ready to learn itThe ways in which unschooling and self-directed learning respects a child's unique timelineWhat the transition from a traditional educational model to unschooling might look like might look likeWhat a transition to university looks like in the U.S. for children who've been homeschooled, and how to do itHow parents who are homeschooling their child can play the role as “consultant” rather than teacher, and giving child the room to become truly self-directedTips for parents looking to dip their toe into unschoolingResources mentioned for what is unschooling? Blake Boles' websiteUnschool AdventuresOff-Trail Learning The Art of Self-Directed Learning: 23 Tips for Giving Yourself an Unconventional Education Better Than College: How to Build a Successful Life Without a Four-Year Degree Support the showConnect with Tilt Parenting Visit Tilt Parenting Take the free 7-Day Challenge Read a chapter of Differently Wired Follow Tilt on Twitter & Instagram

The Landmark Study: Parents Want Independent Meaningful Learning What do parents want in their child's learning experiences? Self-Directed Education: Landmark Research on Family and Student Interests and Needs, the first US national study of its kind, provides key insight into what parents want, suggesting that millions are open to and desire expanding  ways of learning. In fact, this study shows that nearly 19 million families are searching for a better learning experience for their children. More than ever, families across the nation are open to exploring alternatives to their current choice in education.  We Are Born To Learn~ Self Directed Education Mosaic is a global digital platform and community that supports independent, meaningful learning. Th goal of Mosaic is to empower individuals, families and communities through shared resources, thought leadership, and relationships. One of the recent resources that Mosaic launched was a large national study that delved into what parents want in their child's learning experiences. The answer was overwhelming. The biggest interest was in Self Directed Education  Parents are looking for their kids to be more actively engaged in the learning process.  In this episode I speak with Bonnie Benjamin-Phariss, the Interim Executive Director of Mosaic and Bill Vesneski, Head Researcher on the study.  We explore: The research What parents want and  what parents don't want Why a study like this is so needed How it means to be actively engaged in the learning process The top goals that parents share or want to see If you would like to learn more about the study, go to weareborntolearn.org The National Survey On Self Direction Executive Summary can be found HERE.  Resources​ If you would like additional resources and information on Self Directed Education, then check out Dr. Peter Gray and Dr. Gina Riley.  Dr. Gray and Dr. Riley have worked together to survey, research and write about self directed education and unschooling.  The Journal Of Unschooling and Alternative Learning  Unschooling: Exploring Learning Beyond The Classroom is the first academic publication on Unschooling.  Connect with community and join us on Patreon! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This conversation comes at an interesting time in the broader context of the future of education. In the wake of progress 8 results in the UK and NAEP scores in the United States, there appears to be a narrowing of educational possibilities toward a very particular model of schooling, or at least a model whose proponents have been the loudest in proclaiming victory. It has has gone by many names over the years but recently solidified under the umbrella of #ResearchEd or the “science of learning”. The claim here is that we understand and agree upon the ends of education - that is to raise standardized achievement scores - and it's simply a matter of aligning the means around “what works” to close gaps, raise scores - and at least in the context of pandemic schooling since 2020 - combat & reverse “learning loss”. “What works” of course, is the reiteration of adult authority with a laser focus on high expectations and results, the centrality of explicit/direct instruction, and above all a strict approach to school discipline. It's a model listeners in the United States might associate with Doug Lemov's Teach Like a Champion and listeners in the UK with Katharine Birbalsingh's Michaela School, where I imagine the notion of a self-directed education would be greeted with the same incredulity as geocentrism. Bolstered by these measures of success in national contexts, this model is increasingly decontextualized and exported as the solution to educational ills the world over.GUESTSDr. Naomi Fisher is a clinical psychologist and mother of two self-directed learners. She has a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and a PhD in Developmental Cognitive Psychology, focusing on autism. She combines years of hands-on experience of self-directed education with an in-depth knowledge of the psychology of learning and well-being. Her work has been published in The Green Parent, The Psychologist, SEN Magazine, Juno and Tipping Points. She is a regular speaker on self-directed education, presenting at the Freedom to Learn Forum, Homeschooling Summit, and recently was a keynote at the Rethinking Education Conference in London. She is also the author of “Changing Our Minds: How Children Can Take Control of Their Own Learning”, which I would highly recommend, and the upcoming book “A Different Way to Learn: Neurodiversity and Self-Directed Education” to be published in 2023.RESOURCESNaomi Fisher's websiteNaomi Fisher's TwitterChanging Our Minds by Naomi Fisher Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is an excerpt from a free training hosted by the Miami Sudbury School about PDA and Self-Directed Education with Casey Ehrlich, Ph.D. of At Peace Parents, LLC and Je'anna Clements, an expert in Self-Directed Education.The excerpt is Casey's portion of the training and explains what Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) looks like in children from the outside looking in, as a parent, teacher, therapist, or psychologist, and offers some insights into the types of accommodations that might be helpful for a PDA child in an educational setting. For more information on Pathological Demand Avoidance, see the PDA Society Website. For more course offerings and programs from Casey, check out the website for At Peace Parents. Citation: Kristy Forbes of InTunePathways, in reference to terms "Leveling" or "Compensation" behavior in PDA children.  For more on the "internalized expression" of PDA, please see Sally Cat. To connect with me, find me here: InstagramTikTokFacebookYouTubeFor more resources for parents, including #actuallyautistic pages to check out and a list of PDA-affirming practitioners in North America, check out the resources page at PDA Parents.For Courses, Programs, Coaching and Consulting, find me at At Peace Parents, LLC Thanks for listening! You are an amazing parent.xoxo,Casey

Many of us are confused about what to do about our kid's education. Should they go to a local school? A private school? Homeschool? I brought renowned expert Peter Gray on so that we could talk about how kids learn and what kind of education best supports their healthy development. Find out what you should (and should not) do to help your child have a meaningful education that keeps their natural curiosity alive. Watch this episode on the Mindful Mama Youtube channel! If you enjoyed this episode, and it inspired you in some way, I'd love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Take a screenshot of you listening on your device, post it to your Instagram stories, and tag me @mindfulmamamentor. Have you left a review yet? All you have to do is go to Apple Podcasts or  Stitcher (or wherever you listen), and thanks for your support of the show! Takeaways: Author of introductory psychology textbook; research articles in neuroscience, psychology, anthropology, and education; and Free to Learn, a book about children's natural capacities for Self-Directed Education. Get Hunter's book, Raising Good Humans now! Click here to order and get book bonuses! ABOUT HUNTER CLARKE-FIELDS: Hunter Clarke-Fields is a mindful mama mentor. She coaches smart, thoughtful parents on how to create calm and cooperation in their daily lives. Hunter has over 20 years of experience in mindfulness practices. She has taught thousands worldwide. Be a part of the tribe—we're over 25 thousand strong! Join the Mindful Parenting membership. Take your learning further! Get my Top 2 Best Tools to Stop Yelling AND the Mindful Parenting Roadmap for FREE at: mindfulmamamentor.com/stopyelling/ Find more podcasts, blog posts, free resources, and how to work with Hunter at MindfulMamaMentor.com.

The Sudbury Valley School is legendary in alternative education and unschooling circles. Founded in Framingham, Massachusetts in 1968, Sudbury Valley has become a beacon for parents and educators interested in non-coercive, self-directed education, and has inspired the creation of dozens of Sudbury-style schools around the world.  Our guest today is Mimsy Sadofsky, one of the original founders of the Sudbury Valley School who continues to work at the school as a full-time staff member.  This episode is also personally very special because I wanted to share with you our family's journey toward enrolling at Sudbury Valley School. Episode-related links: Sudbury Valley School open house Planning kit for starting a Sudbury model school Award-winning filmmaker and Sudbury Valley School alumna, Laura Poitras American Journal of Education research paper on SVS graduate outcomes Free At Last, by SVS cofounder Daniel Greenberg Free to Learn: Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for Life, by Peter Gray Unschooled: Raising Curious, Well-Educated Children Outside the Conventional Classroom, by Kerry McDonald

The Essential School Sucks, #22 of 50 Theme Three: What It Means To Be Educated Kerry McDonald is a home-educating mother of four, who holds an M.Ed. from Harvard University, where she studied education administration, planning, and social policy. She is a writer for Natural Mother Magazine, the Foundation for Economic Education, Forbes, and Intellectual Takeout. She is a founding member of AlternativesToSchool.com, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Alliance for Self-Directed Education. Her blog podcast is LiberatED. She joins me today to discuss - her professional/academic education background - how she learned about and embraced self-directed learning - her current online projects - how education works in her home (and beyond), for each of her 4 children - promoting self-directed education - Benefits of Self-Directed Learning - her article "Cultivating An Unenclosed Childhood" The Ideas Into Action Summit (https://sspuniversity.com/ideasintoaction/) The downloadable version of The Ideas Into Action Summit is now available. Use the coupon code independence to can get it for 30% off now until July 5th Learn more here (https://sspuniversity.com/ideasintoaction/). Our Partners https://files.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads/images/b/b9f98e30-82d3-4781-8400-880c6dc8086f/2gtm0QVk.png Get The Book For Free (https://discoverpraxis.com/schoolsuckspodcast/) Please Support School Sucks School Sucks was one of the longest running liberty-minded podcasts on the web, and the only one completely devoted to the issue of education (versus public school and college). Your support keeps the show alive, which keeps us at the top of the options for education podcasts and leads to new people discovering our work. Please help us continue to spread this important message further! One-Time Donation Options:Paypal/Venmo Crypto Addresses:DASH XcZfPP6GZGVo9VKViNBVJZja5JVxZDB229ETHEREUM 0x3c5504CE3401C028832173506fa30BD4db4b7D35LITECOIN LKNp24f5wwvZ2QzeDbvxXgBxyVwi1yXnu2BITCOIN 1KhwY836cfSGCK5aaGFv8Q7PHMgghFJn1UBITCOIN CASH 1AmqLVxjw3Lp9KT5ckfvsqfN2Hn3B1hCWSZCASH t1by1ZGJ63LoLSjXy27ooJtipf4wMr7qbu4 Recurring Options: Support Us On PATREONYou support our mission, and you want to help us continue to reach new people with our message and media. Your contribution helps us maintain presence, and to further build the legacy of School Sucks Project. And please bookmark and use this link for your Amazon shopping: Shop With Us Our Private Community: https://files.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads/images/b/b9f98e30-82d3-4781-8400-880c6dc8086f/fNnDUPqb.png Visit The Uni-iversity (https://sspuniversity.com/) Originally Released July 19th, 2017 As “[PODCAST #504] Unenclosed Children and Self-Directed Learning – With Kerry McDonald"

The Essential School Sucks, #5 of 50 Theme One: The Real Problems With Public School Dr. Peter Gray was a research professor of psychology at Boston College, and author of Free to Learn: Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for Life (https://amzn.to/3sJOtcu). Peter serves on the Organizing team for the Alliance of Self-Directed-Education. He also runs a blog on Psychology Today called Freedom to Learn, where he regularly explains and promotes self-directed education from a variety of angles. Today Peter and I discuss creativity and critical thinking - two skills we agree are left underdeveloped (or even damaged) by public school and college. On critical thinking, Peter has referenced studies and surveys that reveal about 50% of employers are dissatisfied with entry-level, college graduate employees (PayScale Inc.) and that college does little to improve higher level thinking (Academically Adrift: Limited Learning On College Campuses - 2011). On creativity, Peter wrote a piece called As Children's Freedom Has Declined, So Has Their Creativity. Peter informs us that there are actually quantitative studies, including the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking, that show a marked decline in children's creative capacity since the 1980s. We discuss the causes of this decline in detail. We finish with a friendly disagreement (then agreement) on the educational merits of video games. In part one we discussed the biological foundations of self-education. LISTEN HERE (https://www.patreon.com/posts/podcast-542-gray-16951940) In part three we'll talk about Peter's vision for self-directed education in the future. LISTEN HERE (https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/schoolsucks/episodes/2018-02-16T07_45_51-08_00) Our Partners https://files.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads/images/b/b9f98e30-82d3-4781-8400-880c6dc8086f/2gtm0QVk.png Visit Praxis (https://discoverpraxis.com/schoolsuckspodcast/) Please Support School Sucks School Sucks was one of the longest running liberty-minded podcasts on the web, and the only one completely devoted to the issue of education (versus public school and college). Your support keeps the show alive, which keeps us at the top of the options for education podcasts and leads to new people discovering our work. Please help us continue to spread this important message further! One-Time Donation Options:Paypal/Venmo;Donate DASHDonate ETHEREUMDonate LITECOINDonate BITCOINDonate BITCOIN CASHDonate ZCASH Recurring Options: Support Us On PATREONYou support our mission, and you want to help us continue to reach new people with our message and media. Your contribution helps us maintain presence, and to further build the legacy of School Sucks Project. And please bookmark and use this link for your Amazon shopping: Shop With Us Our Private Community: https://files.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads/images/b/b9f98e30-82d3-4781-8400-880c6dc8086f/fNnDUPqb.png Visit The Uni-iversity (https://sspuniversity.com/) Originally Released February 13, 2018 As "[PODCAST #543] Peter Gray (Part Two) – School's Impact On Creativity and Critical Thinking"