Education should not be confined to the walls of a classroom or the pages of a textbook. A deep, meaningful education is a lifelong journey of curiosity, exploration, and self-discovery. As an advocate for a learner-driven education, I want to share my guide to leaving the traditional school system and giving your children the freedom to learn.
Step 1: Understand Your Legal Options
Before making any significant changes, it’s crucial to understand the legal framework surrounding education in your area—research homeschooling laws, unschooling regulations, and any other alternative education options that are legally recognized. Consult with educational consultants or legal experts to ensure you comply with all requirements.
Step 2: Define Your Educational Goals
A learner-driven education is about guiding your children to discover their interests and passions. Take time to help them reflect on what they want to learn and achieve. Have them set clear, achievable goals for themselves. These goals can be academic, passion-based, or personal development. We like to set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Timely) goals every six weeks, giving us all time to reflect on what is working, what isn’t, and what we want to change.
Step 3: Create a Personalized Learning Plan
Once they clearly understand their goals, have them develop a learning plan that suits their needs and learning style and allows them to explore various subjects, interests, and learning methods. Encourage them to incorporate multiple resources, such as online courses, books, mentorships, workshops, and real-world experiences. For us, this involves using a paper planner to set daily and weekly goals together. We all intentionally carve out enough time in the week to make sure we can accomplish what we said we would accomplish.
Step 4: Build a Support Network
Surround yourself with people who support and encourage your family’s learning journey. This network can include family, friends, mentors, and fellow self-directed learners. Engage with online communities and forums where you can share experiences, ask questions, and find inspiration.
Step 5: Document Your Learning Journey
Have your child keep a record of their learning experiences, achievements, and reflections. This documentation can be in the form of a portfolio, blog, or journal. It will serve as a personal reminder of their growth and as evidence of their education for colleges, employers, or other institutions.
Step 6: Embrace Lifelong Learning
Giving young people control of their education is a bold and empowering step. It requires courage, commitment, and intentionality. However, embracing a learner-driven education model for your family opens up a world of endless possibilities like increased family time, shared experiences, and better communication, all leading to a more peaceful home.
Remember that leaving school is just the beginning of your family’s educational journey. Stay curious, keep exploring, and never stop learning together.
LEARNER DRIVEN 
Leave a comment