Motivated by Curiosity

When I was 3, my mother was desperate to put in into pre-school. Okay, maybe not desperate, but she was fairly eager. I don't blame her; I was probably somewhat of a handful with my incessant monologues.
I remember liking preschool pretty well. Mother tells me that one day I came running out of school very excited and I exclaimed to her: "Mom! I did something I've never done before!"
Pleased that I was expanding horizons, she asked what that was.
"I sat in time-out!"

Yes. I was pretty proud of this. I was not so proud in middle school when I recieved a detention for the first time, but that's another story entirely. For the most part, I remember preschool, elementary school, junior high, and even high school pretty fondly. I always did find homeschooling intriguing; I even thought about trying it (for about .05 seconds) when I started 8th grade.

Last night, a new "schooling" concept caught my eye, Unschooling.
Google it for awhile and you'll find an interesting array of results, but here's your basics:
1. No structure, lesson plans, or textbooks
2. The kids pick their interests and learn that way
3. The parent does not force learning
4. the kid decides what's best for the kid

It's a curious idea. It appears to be a great theory; I'm just not sure about how well it works in practice.

Some moms end up with very curious, intelligent, and motived children. But, I can't help but wonder how many are more like this blogger suggests.

I did pretty well in school (still do). I spend free time reading articles and studying up on random areas of psychology. But, this is a new development in my life. Yes I was curious when I was younger, but I'm thinking I would have been an unschooler who sat with a box on my head for 3 hours and then watched some tv.

The reason I hesitate to say that letting a child's interest and curiosity motivate learning is simple. I love piano. I could talk music longer than just about any other subject I know. But, my study of music should be attributed to a structured lesson plan and coursework. When I do not have lessons, I never accomplish any pieces (this is based on what happened everytime I was between teachers....which means I looked at the piano and said: gee, I really like piano. And then watched some more tv). Without someone pushing me, I do not make much progress in the musical world.

My curiosity on this matter is great; my concern is rather simple. What about the unschoolers who don't show much interest? What about the unschooler who is exceptional at math but cannot write intelligently? How well can these kids do in college and the workplace where there are restrictions and expectations? Do these parents ensure a well-rounded education?

I am all for fostering curiosity and discovery. Which is what proponents of unschooling call "natural learning." Most children will be naturally curious and want to explore and learn, but is that enoguh to thrive in our society? I acknowledge our school system is flawed, but will this help?

Traditional schooling forced me to take a variety of classes I was compeltely uninterested in, but I would consider myself a better person for it. I know more about life and the world than just what interests and effects me, and that counts for a little in life.

In Preschool new experiences excited me. Getting put in time-out excited me. Can this enthusiasm be channeled effectively into a model of schooling unlike anything most of us grew up with experiencing?