Free to Shine

Just wanted to share with you something beautiful that my daughter did. She drew this a couple of months ago after watching a YouTube tutorial - no help from anyone just quietly did her thing (at the age of 7) before coming and showing me. Today she found her drawing, took a photocopy of it and added some colour and made it into a card to send to her penpal in Kenya. What makes my heart sing is how unhindered she is in what she wants to do and she continually shows me that children can do great things without us continually guiding them or telling them what they should or need to be learning. She has been diagnosed with dyslexia and reading is just not her thing (although audio books and being read to are ) grin emoticon If she were at school I know her spirit would be crushed as she no doubt would be measuring her reading and writing ability against others her age rather than just enjoying what she enjoys and what she is good at (which is art and music). For me this encapsulates what unschooling is about - letting your child follow their passions and never feeling crushed under the weight of other people's expectations - just being free to shine in whatever way makes you happy - isn't that what all our lives should be about? heart emoticon

Reflections

This week I have been reflecting on my sweet girl. She composed this beautiful piece herself morphing 'Skinny Love' with her own song that she wrote about her dog 'Lily Dog'. I think for a child who is not yet 8 her music is wonderful! Recently she has been diagnosed with Dyslexia and Irlens - she struggles with reading, writing and spelling. The fact that she is homeschooled means we can focus on the things she loves (like her music). If she wants to play around on her piano all day she can. There are no time limits in our house. I just love to see her passion for learning the things that interest her. They may not interest others but that is ok because what is important is they interest her! What makes me sad though is the thought of others like her in the school system who won't have these opportunities. Instead they will be focusing on what they can't do! Maybe my little girl would not feel so happy in that system where her musical ability would rarely be seen but yet her inability to read would! I think I already know the answer and I feel blessed once more that she is home doing what she loves....