Self-directed learning journey | Is it right to support my 15-year-old daughter's decision to drop out of school?

Last July, our family made a major decision to support our 15-year-old daughter to drop out of school, leave the traditional education system, and switch to a self-learning education model. For details, you can read this article " Why do we support our daughter to drop out of school?" ".

One year has passed since the journey of independent study, what have we gained and changed?

1. Emotions and Relationships

We are grateful that we recognized Segu Education when we were lost for our daughter. The idea is to believe that everyone will be driven by curiosity to learn independently. Everyone has their own specialties and traits that are unique. Everyone grows on a different schedule and learns differently. The role of parents and educators is to accompany their peers, giving children enough space to help them understand and discover themselves, build outlooks and values, and satisfy their curiosity.

We were a little overwhelmed at first as we were used to study schedules and fixed course arrangements. It's a brand new experience for our family (including grandma). After a period of adjustment, you will gradually realize its subtlety and have a new rhythm of life. The family's mood has eased, and the tension in the past relationship has gradually changed.

Now her daughter has regained her interest in reading, painting and writing, and continues to explore and develop in music and drama. We realize that when children feel the love, support and trust of their parents, they will have more self-confidence and self-love, and become a better version of themselves.

2. Trust

Trusting a child is the hardest thing a parent can do. often lead to poor relations with each other. In the traditional education system, parents and children are often in a tense situation because they have to catch up with progress and achievements, and there is no room for free growth. Parents do not give their children the freedom to experiment, nor the possibility of making mistakes. The whole life is surrounded by achievements and grades. The pressure makes parents have to control everything (helicopter parents), and they must ensure that their children are on the path of "should" and meet the standards of "should" (tiger mother, ruthless father).

"Trust the child" is an important part of the educational philosophy of Seguo. "Trust" means that we will give children their own decisions, trials and responsibilities, accept their immaturity, endure their rebellion when learning autonomy, and believe that they will get better and better. Segu's self-learning has no courses and no teachers. Every child is free to choose and learn according to their own interests and curiosity. So, there will be no pressure to catch up on homework and grades. Parents have plenty of space and flexibility to give their children freedom. This freedom is not without boundaries. This freedom must be in love and truth.

3. Growth

It is the responsibility of parents to educate their children. Any school or educational organization, just a platform. Parents are the soul of children's education. My daughter dropped out of self-study. It is not her who needs to change, but also us. It is not only her who needs to learn and grow, but also us.

There is no "school", and in an autonomous learning environment, parents no longer have an excuse to shirk their responsibilities to the school. This is a good thing. It is impossible for parents to ask their children to change all day long, hoping that they will grow, but they themselves are unwilling to change and do not want to grow. In a self-learning family, parents should lead by example (the responsibility is no less than that of parents whose children receive traditional school education). You want your children to read more, and you better get into the habit of reading too. You hope that your children will have the will to overcome difficulties and be willing to make breakthroughs. In life and work, it is best to show them how you face difficulties and how to break through yourself.

We dare not say that we have done well. We are all on a self-directed learning journey of learning by doing. I would like to share with you some of what I have gained and experienced, hoping to encourage each other. Although there are many ways that others cannot help in educating our children, we can share our experiences and support each other.

Life is an adventure

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