We do not specifically unschool in our home, as the Hub and I prefer a modified classical education style used in early per-revolutionary America (based on the theory that these men and women were stupendous human beings and we want our children to be equipped with the same educational tools), but my children apply the lessons of patient diligence they pick up from daily lessons to aspects of life that they want to learn.
And so yesterday, my daughter sat perched on the back of the sofa, leaning over to reach the piano keyboard. She was waiting for her turn in the shower and was just looking for something to occupy her while she waited. First I realized that she had memorized a piece from the Aristocats movie, a great accomplishment for her. And then it happened. She tossed, “I wonder if I can play this in a different key,” over her shoulder at me. Time slowed to a crawl. I held my breath. Sometimes mom’s really do hold their breath for fear that any sound they make may break the magic of the moment as their child makes a huge leap. Hearing nothing from me in answer, my daughter began to play and it was beautiful. The music came out fast and beautiful. Everything was perfect, only it was in a completely different, and random, key. If you are not a musician, you may not know that the ability to translate music by ear into different keys on the fly is one of those big milestones. Some people never get there. How did she do it? Perhaps some divine intervention, concentration, a relaxed moment, and lots and lots and lots of practice playing many different instruments.
Later yesterday evening, my boy managed to figure out what he needed to install on our learning computer to create a Java programming environment for modifying Minecraft, and work through the bumps. The process took all day as he learned about DOS commands and directory structures and installing compilers and ended with beginning to learn to program Java code. By the end of the evening, he sat taller, and spoke with more authority at the dinner table.
Our children turn into youths in jumps and spurts (I firmly believe that the concept of ‘teen’, and the angst it implies, is one designed to stifle growth and development into independent and self-sufficient adults, sounds trite but there it is). Children develop self-confidence and self-worth as a byproduct of self-directed learning and consequent accomplishments. You cannot possibly predict when a jump or spurt will happen, all you can do is be there quietly to watch it happen and marvel at the miracle.