A Look At Unschooling: The 5 Ease Methodology

Doing it because we want to, not because we have to.

The 5 Ease Methodology

The 5 Ease Methodology is a unique approach to learning that I’ve developed, which focuses on natural, self-directed education. It consists of five phases: Environment, Exposure, Engagement, Experimentation, and Endeavor. Here’s a brief overview of each phase:

1. Environment: This is the phase where a child masters everything in their immediate surroundings. As they grow, their environment expands to include a broader frame of reference and exposure to new environments. For example: a baby initially knows only the room they’re in; as they grow, they are exposed to other rooms and the outdoors. Parents help them learn, know and be familiar with all they see or are curious about.
2. Exposure: In this phase, children are introduced to things they knew nothing about and do not have direct access to without external resources or expertise. Exposure requires a secondary party or a change of environment, adding to the child’s environment or known universe and broadening their horizons. For example: taking them out to new places, spaces, towns, states, countries.
3. Engagement: This phase involves kids actively exploring and understanding what they have been exposed to. It transitions learning from passive intake during exposure to active navigation, research, and deeper exploration. It’s driven by interest and curiosity and is self-driven. Theories and hypotheses are formulated during this phase. They will question, ponder and allow thoughts and ideas to go down rabbit holes. The very natural thinking Rockefeller & his G.E.B (the general board of education) did not want schooled kids to do.
4. Experimentation: Here, kids apply their ideas, make mistakes, building confidence, and push their theories to their limits. Theories and hypotheses are tested, and plans are formulated to utilize the newfound knowledge.
5. Endeavor: This phase is about action and graduation. It involves doing something with the knowledge gained, getting answers, or completing the learning of a topic to the fullest extent at the time. Endeavors can lead to profitable projects or products, books, courses, teams, or sets of relationships.

These phases are cyclical and not meant for grading or judgment. They serve as assessments of one’s state of mind, aiding in overcoming challenges or boredom. The progression through these phases can vary based on the topic, and each phase can be revisited multiple times during the learning journey. The completion of the experimentation phase signifies a complete endeavor, leading to potential creations or the acquisition of knowledge to be applied to new topics.

What Is Unschooling?

What is Unschooling?

Glad you asked,

Unschooling is a form of homeschooling that emphasizes self-directed learning, where education is driven by a child’s interests, curiosity, and natural desire to learn, rather than following a fixed curriculum or standardized tests. It is based on the belief that children are naturally curious and learn best when they are allowed to explore subjects that interest them at their own pace.

In unschooling, learning is not confined to a classroom or specific hours of the day; it happens all the time, in a variety of settings, and through everyday experiences. Parents act as facilitators, providing resources, support, and guidance, rather than traditional teachers. They help their children access information, explore their interests, and engage with the world around them.

Unschooling emphasizes the development of skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity, and values the individual learning journey of each child. It is often associated with a more holistic approach to education, which considers the emotional, social, and physical development of the child, in addition to academic learning.

To learn more about What Unschooling Is check out the Podcast “Unschool Pages of Our Lives” anywhere you love to listen to podcasts. Each episode we dive into an Unschool day or showcase how unschoolers engage the world around them. It’s unscripted, loud, playful and we embrace all the distractions. It’s a family and kids podcast that will leave your kids asking more and more questions.