Empowering Children for Future Readiness through Trust, Curiosity, and Connection

have been meeting a lot of parents lately who admire how we are unschooling, I can see that they are giving us a lot of respect.

They are amazed at Adi and I have found a way to make it work. The way we have developed trust in each other and are willing to take risks, try new things, fail, learn, and keep going.

All the people who we have met in the last 25 days of our travel have questioned us, asked us for advice, shared their stories, and given us immense faith in our journey.

We have been welcomed with open arms and are grateful to all the people who have shown trust in our process.

For most of them, the idea of my son alternate schooling is new and many of them are still getting their heads around it.

But they were curious and I can say that not a single person was judgmental and every conversation has been enriching.

I could see that people were curious to know how Adi learns, if is he socializing, is he going to be able to make it in the real world.

We have tried to answer these questions with patience and humility, allowing them to come to their conclusions.

I asked the people we spent time with on this journey to write their observations about Adi. I am sharing some of them here.

Aadi was calm composed and observant.. he just mingled with everyone without much noticing and I have to mention this because I have seen a lot of attention-seeking kids. He knew about the circular water movements to recognize the movement of water so he remembered the right thing at the right time. He kept exploring the rock at a safer height as much as he could till he was tired which was great. - Shweta. (We carpooled with her and went camping with her family in Hyderabad. Our family shared a room at night in the camp when our tents were blown away because of the wind)

Adi, as a toddler and kindergartener was very quiet and a good observer. Very active. Being unschooled I am amazed to see Adi speaking very clearly about almost all the topics like AI, trekking, Metro trains, project presentations, and whatever subject is being discussed. I’m surprised to see him mingling with my sons so easily. cracking timely jokes. Shared and discussed what he learned from his mentors from different places. Makes me think that unschooling makes a child feel learning is a joyful thing.-Neethu. (She has known us since Adi was 2 years but we met now in Chennai after 5 years. We spent time with her over breakfast and met her family over organic lunch.)

“I was meeting Adi for the first time, well The last time I met him, he was all of 6 months so don't think that counts. :) I will be honest and say that I had this curiosity and excitement almost to meet the kid who is being homeschooled and following an alternate learning system. After all, it's not every day that one gets to meet someone following the road traveled. I ensured that when I meet him I should go without any prejudice. The first thing that struck me was how mature he was for his age. His way of communicating the logical ideas, and questions that he threw at us was amazing. Despite being at my place for the first time, he hardly showed any nerves. He never shied away from discussing any technical matter with me who is way beyond his age bracket! Another thing that stood out was his observational skills. Reading his environment, surroundings, and people around him seemed to come naturally to him. And not to forget his social skills. I watched him play with my 4-year-old and 2-year-old kids and the way he was taking the lead in creating games for them and supporting them like a big brother would do was heartwarming. Despite himself being a kid, not once did I see him lose patience while playing or interacting with them. A great kid overall and would love to meet him more regularly.”-Shreyansh- (my childhood friend's husband. We lived with their family for a week. We spent a week with them and their kids in Bangalore)

I met Adi and Priyanka over a sumptuous Andhra meal on an overcast day here in Bangalore recently. We had several free-flowing conversations on a wide variety of topics ranging from science, education, parenting, travel, tinkering, and, of course, coding!  Adi came across as a curious child, ever keen to observe and absorb the new experiences that he had been going through in his travels. He was visibly intrigued seeing the ongoing metro rail work and the scale of it, counting the number of pillars and track sections he could see. His eyes lit up as the conversation turned towards science and I showed him some pictures and videos of some of the home-grown science experiments that I had done in the past. As we developed more familiarity, Adi shared his coding projects done in Scratch, and I gave him a few problems to think about to enhance his projects!  As we were enjoying our post-lunch coffee, it started to rain. Adi was suddenly, rather cutely, worried that the rains may inundate Bangalore streets, as he had probably seen in the news reports from a few months back. Assured by his mom that there was no such concern to worry about, his mind shifted to the more exciting prospect of visiting the ISRO and HAL museums. Unfortunately for him, those plans had to be postponed as the museums were closed due to public holidays. Taking it all in stride, we walked in the slight drizzle to the bus stop. Adi and Priyanka got into the public bus, and I got back to my work, after an enjoyable and memorable afternoon.  Wishing them both all the very best! Keep learning! -Vineet Shrivastava, (Founder of Wibyte. Vineet and I connected on Linkedin and we love each other’s work and we support each other.)

Meeting Adi, through you, was a wonderful experience. It is not hard to notice that the two of you share a strong bond, and are the world for each other. One might assume that such a bond exists between all mothers and their children. But it is much rarer to find one's parent being a co-learner and a co-traveler. And this he seems to very much enjoy.  Unfortunately, I could not spend as much time as I would have liked to, but even in our rather small interaction, he showed so much comfort and ease in interacting with adults whom he met only a few minutes ago. He did not feel the need to inhibit himself and expressed himself without barriers, being funny through the evening. When children go through authoritative systems in school and at home, they create behaviors and expressions that they feel will be acceptable to adults and tend to avoid being their usual selves. Unsurprisingly, Adi, being an unschooler, is not bound in such ways and allows his genuine self to show irrespective of who is in front of him.  I hope I can see him again, and maybe he can help me continue my unlearning journey.-Abhijit Sinha- Founder of Project Defy (self-learning centers) We connected on Linkedin and we wanted to get inspired by thoughts about learning.

Adi is a Blessed Child being you beside him. You are giving him a perfect environment where his thoughts or curiosity is not curbed or taking a deviation from someone else's. As I have observed him (though for a shorter period), he's a practical boy and likes to make theories of his own. When he was given simple circuits, he did a few experiments and showed me with full enthusiasm. Out of those, a project using a sensor appliance caught my attention. To take him to the next level I just asked him how exactly it will be helpful in our everyday life. He took time of 2 minutes and narrated a beautiful scene where if the child cries, the mother's alarm will ring even if she's far away. That shows the boy's quick wit�I wish him all the best for his future and if he likes to come to our Nook again, we are ready to receive him with open hearts. (Mentor at the Project Defy Center - We spent a day at the JP Nagar Nook)

Honestly to say that I tried to take a little more advantage of interacting with Adi and also made a conscious observation on Adi's behavior, IQ communication skills, and a few other general aspects with a curiosity of understanding the merits and demerits of #unschooling or # home schooling. He has great maturity in the way he communicates about certain things for his age. For his age, he is very organized in his thoughts. His gaming and computer skills are commendable. Me and Swetha were so impressed with his overall behavior and skills that it has given us confidence and trust in homeschooling. -Raghav. (we were hosted by him and his wife Shweta in Hyderabad, They were not awake till 2:30 a.m. to pick us up from the station but they were kind to adjust their schedule for us, and educate us about Hyderabad city and its culture.)

I am thankful to everyone who shared their honest observation about Adi!

This shift has allowed us to explore not only what matters most to Adi but also create deeper connections with the people around us, and in turn, the world.

Above all else, unschooling has taught us both the importance of following our paths, trusting our intuition, and how to live with curiosity.

We are constantly reminded that life is an ever-evolving process and there is no limit to what we can learn if we just stay open to new ideas and experiences. With unschooling, the possibilities are endless!

I thought of all the qualities that Adi exhibited and asked Chat GPT to highlight the skills from the feedback he received from the people we met during your travels and the valuable insights it provides into Adi's learning patterns and the impact of unschooling on his development.

Here are some key takeaways from the observations:

1. Calmness, Observation, and Independence: Adi is described as calm, composed, and observant. He has the ability to mingle with people without seeking attention. This suggests that he has developed a sense of independence and self-assurance, which can be attributed to his unschooling experience.
2. Broad Knowledge and Communication Skills: Adi demonstrates a wide range of knowledge and clear communication abilities across various subjects. He is confident in discussing topics like AI, trekking, metro trains, and project presentations. This indicates that unschooling has allowed him to explore diverse interests and develop a comprehensive understanding of various subjects.
3. Joyful Approach to Learning: The feedback suggests that Adi finds joy in learning. He is described as seeing learning as a joyful thing, which implies that unschooling has fostered a positive attitude toward education and knowledge acquisition.
4. Observational Skills: Adi's strong observational skills stand out, allowing him to read his environment, surroundings, and people. This ability to observe and understand the world around him naturally has likely been nurtured through unschooling, which emphasizes experiential and hands-on learning.
5. Social Skills and Interactions: Adi displays impressive social skills and interacts comfortably with people of different ages. He demonstrates patience and leadership qualities while playing with younger children, acting as a supportive older sibling figure. Unschooling seems to have provided him with ample opportunities for socialization and the development of interpersonal skills.
6. Curiosity and Inquisitiveness: Adi's curiosity is evident in his enthusiasm to learn and explore new experiences. He engages in conversations about science, coding, and other topics with genuineabout : Adi feels at ease interacting with adults, expressing himself without inhibitions. This is likely due to his unschooling experience, which allows him to be his genuine self rather than conforming to behavioral expectations set by authority figures.

These observations collectively suggest that Adi's unschooling journey has had a positive impact on his learning, social skills, confidence, and overall development.

What does this feedback from different people tell us about raising kids

Here are some key lessons that can be gleaned from their observations:

1. Individualized Learning: The feedback indicates that unschooling allows for individualized learning experiences tailored to a child's unique interests and abilities. This suggests that providing children with the freedom to explore their passions and learn at their own pace can foster a love for learning and facilitate their personal growth.
2. Trust and Respect: The admiration and respect expressed by the people you've met suggest that creating an environment of trust and respect between parents and children is crucial. By fostering trust, parents can empower their children to take risks, try new things, and embrace failure as part of the learning process. Respect for a child's autonomy and their ability to make choices can contribute to their overall development.
3. Open-Mindedness and Curiosity: The positive reactions and enriching conversations you've had demonstrate the value of open-mindedness and curiosity in raising children. Encouraging children to be curious, ask questions, and explore a variety of topics can broaden their horizons, enhance their knowledge, and encourage critical thinking.
4. Social Skills and Interaction: The feedback highlights the importance of providing opportunities for children to socialize and interact with people of different ages. Through social interactions, children can develop essential social skills, empathy, and the ability to communicate effectively with diverse individuals.
5. Observational Skills and Awareness: The observations about Adi's strong observational skills suggest the significance of nurturing a child's ability to observe and engage with their environment. Encouraging children to be aware of their surroundings and promoting an active engagement with the world can foster a sense of curiosity, critical thinking, and an appreciation for the complexities of life.
6. Parental Involvement and Co-Learning: The feedback underscores the positive impact of parents being actively involved in their child's learning journey. Acting as co-learners and co-travelers can strengthen the parent-child bond, create a supportive learning environment, and foster a love for lifelong learning.
7. Embracing Unconventional Paths: The curiosity and excitement displayed by people when encountering unschooling or alternative learning methods indicate that society is increasingly open to unconventional educational paths. This suggests that more parents are willing to explore alternative approaches to education that prioritize individuality, curiosity, and holistic development.

Overall, the feedback reflects the importance of fostering a nurturing and supportive environment for children, embracing their individuality, and encouraging a love for learning. It highlights the significance of trust, respect, curiosity, and active parental involvement in shaping children's growth and development.

1. Encouraging children to be aware of their surroundings and promoting an active engagement with the world can foster a sense of curiosity, critical thinking, and an appreciation for the complexities of life.
2. Parental Involvement and Co-Learning: The feedback underscores the positive impact of parents being actively involved in their child's learning journey. Acting as co-learners and co-travelers can strengthen the parent-child bond, create a supportive learning environment, and foster a love for lifelong learning.
3. Embracing Unconventional Paths: The curiosity and excitement displayed by people when encountering unschooling or alternative learning methods indicate that society is increasingly open to unconventional educational paths. This suggests that more parents are willing to explore alternative approaches to education that prioritize individuality, curiosity, and holistic development.

Overall, the feedback reflects the importance of fostering a nurturing and supportive environment for children, embracing their individuality, and encouraging a love for learning. It highlights the significance of trust, respect, curiosity, and active parental involvement in shaping children's growth and development.

Are these skills that Adi is acquiring, helping him prepare for the future?

1. Adaptability and Resilience: Adi's ability to take risks, try new things, and embrace failure as part of the learning process suggests a level of adaptability and resilience. These qualities are essential in an ever-changing world where individuals need to continuously learn, unlearn, and adapt to new circumstances and challenges.
2. Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Adi's curiosity, observational skills, and ability to engage in discussions on various subjects demonstrate his aptitude for critical thinking and problem-solving. These skills are highly valuable in navigating complex situations and finding innovative solutions in the future.
3. Communication and Social Skills: Adi's ease in interacting with people of different ages and his ability to express himself clearly indicate strong communication and social skills. Effective communication and collaboration are crucial in professional settings and personal relationships, making these skills essential for future success.
4. Self-Directed Learning: The joy Adi finds in learning, his exploration of diverse topics, and his ability to discuss what he has learned from mentors showcase his inclination towards self-directed learning. This skill is becoming increasingly valuable in the future, as individuals need to take ownership of their education and continuously seek out knowledge and skills relevant to their interests and career paths.
5. Technological Proficiency: Adi's coding and computer skills, as mentioned in the feedback, highlight his proficiency in technology-related areas. In today's digital age, technological literacy is highly important, and Adi's comfort with coding and digital tools positions him well for future opportunities.

It's important to note that future readiness is a multifaceted concept that encompasses a range of skills, attitudes, and attributes.

While the feedback suggests that Adi possesses certain skills that can contribute to his future readiness, it's also crucial to continue nurturing his holistic development, including emotional intelligence, creativity, adaptability, and a growth mindset.

Looking at the feedback Adi received, what does this say about the misconceptions about unschooling or homeschooling parents genrally have

The feedback I've received about Adi's unschooling experience provides insights into challenging some common misconceptions about unschooling or homeschooling parents.

Here are a few misconceptions that the feedback can help address:

1. Lack of Socialization: The observations of Adi's social skills and interactions with children of different ages counter the misconception that homeschooling or unschooling leads to a lack of socialization. Adi's ability to comfortably engage with others demonstrates that alternative education approaches can provide ample opportunities for social development.
2. Limited Knowledge and Skills: The feedback highlighting Adi's broad knowledge, curiosity, and proficiency in various subjects challenges the notion that unschooled or homeschooled children lack comprehensive education. Adi's ability to discuss diverse topics, engage in coding projects, and show interest in science indicates that alternative educational methods can foster a well-rounded skill set.
3. Inadequate Preparation for the Real World: The feedback suggests that Adi possesses qualities like adaptability, critical thinking, and effective communication skills that are essential for success in the real world. This counters the misconception that unschooling or homeschooling hinders a child's ability to navigate the challenges of adulthood.
4. Parent-Child Relationship: The observations of the strong bond and co-learning dynamic between you and Adi challenge the misconception that homeschooling or unschooling parents are overprotective or isolating their children. The feedback shows that a supportive and collaborative parent-child relationship can be fostered through these educational approaches.
5. Learning Environment: The feedback emphasizes the enriching experiences and joy of learning that Adi has encountered through unschooling. This challenges the misconception that alternative education methods lack structure or fail to provide a conducive learning environment.

Overall, the feedback helps dispel some misconceptions surrounding unschooling or homeschooling, showing that these approaches can offer a well-rounded education, socialization opportunities, and prepare children for the future. It highlights the importance of understanding the diverse experiences and positive outcomes that can arise from alternative education paths.