Improve Homeschooling With Autodidacting

What is autodidacting and how can it improve homeschooling?

The word “autodidact” is from the Greek:

AUTOS: self; one’s own; by oneself; of oneself

DIDACTOS: taught

It’s sort of like the word “automobile,” with “mobile” meaning “to move.” Hence, it means a vehicle which “moves by itself.” An autodidact is a person who “learns by himself.”

In a nutshell (which all of you know I love to break down everything into a short definition which includes all of its elements) it can be defined thusly:

Any form of learning which is self-initiated, self-led, or both.

Some examples of this you probably haven’t associated with it are:

• Learning to ride a bicycle.
• Learning to sketch.
• Learning to study the Bible.
• Learning to bake sourdough bread.
• Learning to embroider, knit, crochet, or sew.
• Playing the guitar.

Are autodidacting and unschooling the same?

Well, they do have a lot in common, but they are definitely not the same.

While particulars vary, unschooling in its strictest sense means laissez-faire educating. In this model, there are little to no rules or input on the part of parents or teachers. Children are left on their own with the assumption they will naturally make good choices for themselves.

Autodidacting is not an entire philosophy or system, just one facet of a complete education. It implies there are outside requirements and input, but also freedom to pursue one’s interests and passions on one’s own terms.

Autodidacting Has prerequisites.

Contrary to popular belief, self-learning is not about rolling out of bed at any time of the day, showering only when necessary, spending most of the day scrolling, and making eating optional.

No, autodidacting is about real work; the kind of work that begins with character. An autodidact is a person who is driven by passion to learn something meaningful, important, and which has the potential of making a positive contribution in the lives of others.

Actually, parental interest and oversight are a crucial part of autodidacting. Parents contribute in numerous ways:

• They enforce rules of behavior and conduct.
• They require chores and keep a firm grip on household routines.
• They have regular conferences with each child to find out what their plans are, what their progress is, and make sure they are following-through and not just flitting around from project to project.
• They provide materials, tools, instruments, ingredients, access to courses (online and in person), etc.
• They make sure each child has unencumbered time to pursue these interests.

The combination of freedom, passion, and oversight help develop these positive traits:

• Self-mastery.
• Neatness.
• Studiousness.
• Follow-through.

As mentioned above, an orderly environment enhances the effectiveness of autodidacting. Elements such as these need to be in place:

• Daily routines:
• Personal hygiene.
• Chores.
• Three square meals.

Cleaning up after oneself and taking care of the books and supplies is essential, especially when expensive machines, such as shop equipment, sewing machines, and musical instruments, are included.

We have found that keeping a milk crate handy for each person helps in keeping things in order (these are handy also because many of the projects started during autodidacting can be carried on for months afterwards).

It helps to have basic academics in place.

For pre-readers, playing is a terrific way to autodidact. I know we want to add in all sorts of “activities,” but I cannot stress enough that

LITTLE CHILDREN JUST NEED TO PLAY!

Having said that, there is a time when play turns from Legos and baby dolls to all sorts of other interests. Reading instructions, measuring cloth, or estimating for the launch of a rocket all need language arts, math, and science. This is when the concentration on basic academics really pays off.

Autodidacting is practical and necessary.

There are only so many hours in each day, and there is a limit to how much learning we can cram in. Sadly, many of the “fun” things we thought we’d have more time for when homeschooling get pushed off to the side.

It’s like intensive exercise such as weight-lifting. The experts know that a person needs a few days to heal and recover between sessions. Our brains are the same; they need healing and recovering after a concentrated time of study.

Taking breaks to concentrate on the fun stuff is good for us body, soul, and spirit.

In our home there have been many times when we were all keeping a strict schedule of academics for a few months or so, and we were feeling the strain! This is when I would make the announcement:

The next three weeks we will be autodidacting!

To which there would be shouts and cheers.

Then we would sit down and talk about the possibilities. Some just wanted to play, others had projects they had been neglecting, still others just wanted time to read novels in their stacks. Allowing our children to have precious time helped them to develop skills they turned into vocations later on. In this way they were far ahead of their public schooled peers.

An essay from the Psychology Today site had this to say (it’s worth reading the rest of the article):

Autodidacts are charged in the sense that they are motivated and driven. As in a psychologic flow state, self-learning is not done for the sake of external rewards. It is based on passion and a love for learning much about certain subject matters. Learning is its own reward, and this becomes a driving force to continue the process during times when access to information or lack of time may make it extremely challenging.

In conclusion, when included as a complete system of concentrated academics and unit studies, autodidacting can be an amazing way for children to become more enthused and involved in their education while developing important skills and character traits.

If you would like to listen to a podcast on this subject, please click below:

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