Exploring Interest-Led Learning: Tailoring Education to Individual Passions

Interest led learning or self directed learning is all about using your child’s natural curiosity to help them develop the academic skills they will use for the rest of their lives.

Before I found and started implementing interest led learning into our homeschool, I faced a lot of pushback from my children over doing lessons. I often heard comments like “ this is boring” “ why do I have to do this” and so on? I found myself constantly second guessing my ability to homeschool effectively.

Then, I found interest led learning and everything changed.

I used to spend weeks researching curriculum and watching YouTube reviews trying to find the “perfect” curriculum to fit our unique family needs. The problem was my kids didn’t want to do book work that was mass produced for every other kid, they wanted to play, explore and create instead.

Instead of trying to constantly fit my children’s unique learning styles and interests into a curriculum made for the masses I use their interests and learning styles to create a custom learning path. These custom learning paths do include some curriculum, the major difference however is we use curriculum as a tool in our educational toolbox, they are not the main focus of our homeschool.

Now that we focus on interest led learning methods, our homeschool days are filled with so much more joy, and a lot less resistance. My children are still meeting all the educational milestones I have set for them, but now it’s in a way that fosters family connection, creativity and self responsibility.

If you want a step by step guide to interest led learning the Unhurried Homeschooling Method is the perfect place to start. This digital guide walks you through finding clarity in your homeschooling goals, creating a unique family rhythm based on connection and your child’s unique interests and passionsa nd so much more!