Pat Farenga is a writer and education activist. He is also president of John Holt GWS and homeschooling dad to 3 grown children.
Teach Your Own
I first came across Pat’s work through the book Teach Your Own which he co-authored with the late John Holt. Teach Your Own was first published in 1981. It still remains a favourite for many homeschool families.
When Pat first started working with John Holt, he estimated there to be approximately 25,00 homeschooled in the US. That number has now grown to over 2 million and grows further worldwide.
In this episode Pat shared:
Working with John Holt (early homeschool advocate and school reformer).
Pat’s personal journey into homeschooling with his wife and kids.
How the word “Unschooling” came to be as we know it today and Pat’s own definition of the word.
I like Pat’s definition.This is how he defines unschooling: allowing your children as much freedom to learn about and explore the world as you can comfortably bear as their parent. Pat bases his definition on his experience working with families. Everyone has different beliefs and backgrounds that they bring in. Sometimes the word “unschooling” scares them, not empowers them.
Shifts In Homeschooling
With the growth of homeschooling I asked Pat if he has noticed any shifts. He says yes. Technology has helped homeschool to shift.
Homeschoolers are using technology as a tool to experience and connect. This experience has helped it to grow.
Homeschooling is growing because of the experience it provides. It is in the experience, not the canned curriculum.
That is the difference between homeschooling and mass education. You can’t scale Homeschooling the way you can scale schools. Homeschooling is grassroots. “People are influencing other people not to create a multimillion dollar business, but to create a better community. Your intent is so important when you start a project.” The intent in homeschooling is to re-create the communities, the relationships and the connections that people have between young and old. To re-integrate children into society.
It is an important point because people are now starved for relationships and connection.
Advice For Parents
So what is Pat’s advice for parents?
Start thinking about homeschooling when your kids are young. Feel what it is like to be with your children when you don’t feel “responsible” to teach them lessons.
But if your children are older and in school and your family is thinking about homeschooling? Think first about what is stopping them from enjoying school. Is it lack of friends? Is it a difficult teacher? A learning struggle? Pinpoint what that is and make sure that you don’t duplicate that at home.
If you are not comfortable with the self directed model, you may have to be a little bit more of a mentor on their behalf.
When your kids are happy then you are happy.
https://www.johnholtgws.com/pat-farengas-blog/
YouTube: Growing Without Schooling
Growing Without Schooling Volume 3
Berklee School of Music: Unschooling and Creativity
Wild Child In The Woods Forest School
Listen to my episode with Michelle Goulet founder of Wild Child In The Woods Forest School here.
