Kerry McDonald is an education journalist and a parent of four children who learn outside of conventional schools (ages 13, 10, 8, and 5). On this episode, we talk about the diversity of ways Kerry’s children learn, and the advantages and challenges of self-directed education.


1:06 - Kerry McDonald Introduction: “My children have never been to school. They are 13, 10, 8, and 5.”
8:15 - The Children Teach Themselves to Read: “They really were different, but also very similar.”
11:57 - Challenges of Self-Directed Education: “The other piece might be making sure all of your children’s needs are met.”
18:29: How to Work and Unschool: “Being entrepreneurial enables you to have a little bit more flexibility….” “You don’t have to do it all all the time.”
22:35: Children of the Same Family Learning in Different Ways “In your own children, you see such diversity in terms of developmental milestones.”
29:20 - Advice for Those on the Fence “Start by reflecting on your own experience with schooling.”
33:38 - Academics Aren’t Separate from Life “From that real passion for martial arts…, she became interested in the Korean language and culture and history.”
36:16 - Optimism About the Future: “I think there is just a real demand that’s increasing from parents, from educators, and from young people.”