#0019: Learn How To Unschool Confidently With Mr Gangadhar

Reading time: 8.0 min 

Hey 👋  - Hello, there!! Hope you had a great week. 

Do you sometimes see no point in the normal schooling system?

Do you feel like your child is not cut out for the 8 to 3 school life?

Do you feel like there is more to life than just earning the 12th grade certificate?

If you have been asking yourself any of these questions, then this post is for you!

There are many conversations happening around the world about the schooling system, the dissatisfaction with the old curriculum, and the desire for change.

There are people who believe that the schooling system is not adequate enough, and there are some who think it's great just the way it is.

But one thing is for sure, the schooling system was created many years ago and we have evolved since then.

Back in the day, children were sent to school to learn how to read, write, and do arithmetic.

They were not taught about the real world and how to deal with problems.

The schooling system was created to prepare children for the workforce.

But times have changed, and now we need to prepare our children for a different world.

In today's world, children need to be taught about global citizenship, sustainability, and social justice.

They need to be taught how to think for themselves and how to find solutions to problems.

The schooling system is not doing a good job of preparing our children for the real world.

It's time for a change.

There are many families who have decided to unschool their children.

Unschooling is a child-led learning approach that allows children to learn through experience and exploration.

It is an alternative to the traditional schooling system.

There are many benefits of unschooling, such as the ability to learn at your own pace, learn through experience, and follow your interests.

Unschooling is a great option for families who want to prepare their children for the real world.

I had the opportunity to interview Mr. Gangadhar Krishnan, a road traveler, and unschooler

I asked Mr. Gangadhar to share his thoughts on the schooling system, unschooling, and travel.

What is unschooling?

Unschooling is a philosophy that advocates learner-chosen activities as a primary means for learning. Unschooling students learn through their natural life experiences including play, household responsibilities, personal interests and curiosity, internships and work experience, travel, books, elective classes, family, mentors, and social interaction.

I had a very humbling experience talking to Mr. Gangadhar, who has been unschooling and travelling on the road for the past seven years. He was so eloquent in his answers, that I was left speechless many times during the conversation. Here are some excerpts from our talk:

Me: What made you choose this lifestyle of unschooling and road travel?

Gangadhar: We have been travelling since my kids were 6 months old, we realised this quite early on, that travelling and learning go hand in hand, the best way to learn is by doing and there is no better teacher than life itself. My kids have learned so much more on the road than they ever would have in a classroom.

If you want to read the full article on this topic, find the link at the end

This week we took the opportunity to learn about the Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth II was the longest-reigning monarch in British history. She was a symbol of stability and resilience during her long reign, and her image is familiar to people all over the world. Queen Elizabeth was born on April 21, 1926, in London, England. Queen Elizabeth is widely respected for her service to the country and the Commonwealth. She has undertaken hundreds of official visits to countries around the world, and she has been a source of strength and stability during times of national crisis.

Queen Elizabeth II died “peacefully” at her home in Balmoral, Scotland, on September 8, 2022. This was also an opportunity for us to learn about colonial India from the perspective of the British Raj. Queen Elizabeth II is the only monarch who has lived through the entire period of British history, from the reign of her great-grandmother, Queen Victoria, to the present day. She is a living link to a time when Britain was a world power, and she has seen her country change drastically over the course of her long life.

Different people in India see the queen in different ways. Some people see her as a symbol of British colonialism, while others see her as a much-loved figure who has made numerous visits to India over the years. 

Its important to find these little windows of opportunity to help kids know of our country's past

Book to read - Queen Elizabeth II: The World’s Longest-Reigning Monarch, Author: Grace Hansen

Connecting with kids over fights and arguments 

We cannot avoid arguing with our kids. But how can we make sure that these arguments are productive, and not just a shouting match?

Here are some tips:

- First, try to remain calm. It's hard to think clearly when you're angry, so take a few deep breaths before you start arguing with your child.

- Second, avoid making personal attacks. This will only make the situation worse, and it won't help you resolve the issue at hand.

- Third, try to see things from your child's perspective. What might be causing them to act out or misbehave?

- Finally, focus on solving the problem, not on winning the argument. If you can find a compromise that everyone can live with, that's often the best solution.

Arguing with kids is never easy, but if you keep these tips in mind, it can help make the process a little bit smoother.

cheers, Priyanka

I launched my video podcast- Here is a link to conversation I had with Beth Hankoff, an educator and Homeschooler