Watching this I realized that it might be the first time I’ve ever seen a documentary that’s purely from a child’s perspective! No adults butting in or commentating on his experience. Just Woody, speaking for himself and being respected at the level of adults. Bravo!
Something soothing about this. Young people these days are tied up with technology and forced learning. No chance to develop their own ideas without adult interference.
I can't help it. -- Yes, it's starring a child but the whole narrative is carefully constructed by the adults. The very fact that they are using the child as a mouthpiece is done to lower your guard---children are honest, so if an adult has a child say their message, to a viewer the information will seem to be more honest and trustworthy. The adults made sure to say: Unschooled kids have the opportunity to socialize outside of school. They have the opportunity to learn essential skills like reading through co-ops. Even suggesting the idea that kids with his personality do better in unschooling because public school might tear down his kind nature. * insert hamfisted nature stuff * The adults making the film got him to say everything that he said with leading questions, and edited it in this way. This film is giving VERY specific answers to questions and concerns people might have about unschooling. I hate unschooling, homeschooling and think it should be illegal because it has more issues and really no good solutions. Primarily, the parents are the problem. It's an awful situation where you have abusive or neglectful parents who use it to isolate their kids or just straight up do a bad job at educating them. The parents here at least seem to be engaged, which is what makes it APPEAR to work, and that's the only reason why it even looks this appealing. (Engaged and kind parents in any situation will provide their kids with superior care). The fact that he is 9 years old and still learning basic sounds and struggles to read and write is SCARY. That's 4/5 year old stuff.
As a teacher watching many unhappy, anxious children on a daily basis I would not call this 'unschooled'. Actually, the other way around. Schools of today are now producing the 'unschooled' of tomorrow. This young man showed us what the real sense of education once meant. P.S. I am doing my best to make changes but constantly swimming upstream
Thanks a lot for that comment from a teachers perspective! Usually everytime people are critizising the modern school systems there are teachers defending it. But looking back at my own school histroy I'm 100% sure that at least 70% of the time spent there was totally useless. There is way too much time waste on things that you never need again in your life, while not learning what you really need know. Plus lots of wasted time doing literally nothing.
This young man is living a better life than most 11yr olds who sit in front of a screen playing video games for hours!!!!!! He is learning how to survive and skills to carry him thru his life.
@@Yesica1993 Perhaps "lazy" kids are simply bored kids or kids who are overstimulated by media saturation and the noise of the world. Give them a rich field for discovery like this boy has, and I'd bet money they'd switch gears quickly. 💙
This is the way most kids should learn, or at least the first few years. This young man is polite, articulate when he speaks, knows the value of things, and saved for each tool he wanted. I might have encouraged reading and writing a little earlier, but that's just me. Well done Woody, enjoy life while you can.
@@cyblue2846 I didn't learn to read or write until I was 10. I was homeschooled poorly, but I still taught myself casually over my early teenage years by simply being perceptive. It's unreasonable to assume everyone must learn the same things as you, and at the same times. The education system is extremely flawed, and that expectation is a big part of it. It treats people like machines to produce wealth for the rich, rather than people with their own interests and struggles to overcome in their own way, at their own speed of living. Woody is still being educated, but priorities and beliefs differ. A man bred from the state factory isn't any happier than a man of his community, often the opposite. There's a fundamental misunderstanding of human social function. We're a tribal species, and few want to accept that. Jungian psychologists neglect this important piece of our reality. Reading and writing is definitely useful, but most of humanity developed and crafted the world without it. The best way to learn more skills is by doing, reading is just a replacement for apprenticeship in that regard. Sometimes I wish I couldn't read, because most of what I do read is brainslop, unworthy of anyone's time.
I agree with you on reading/writing, but then again perhaps Woody will not be interested in going down an academic path, which would mean he doesn’t need to cram knowledge that is not practical or useful to him to a short period in his life, but he can spread out his learning more. I also believe he would be guided by instinct to be curious about reading/writing if that’s where his passion lies, because I know from myself that I was dying to know about books and learned how to read before I started school purely out of curiosity. Kids also go through a lot of different phases as they grow up, and having no distractions and a lot of curiosity/interest can help anyone catch up with what the system teaches in a short time. If I were to go down this route with my child I would probably like to make sure that the basics are given properly at an early age too, but just like you said, that’s a personal choice and I don’t see this being a disaster in any way for this lovely young man!
I homeschool my four children and the comments just warms my heart. It works for our family and it allows me to have such an amazing relationship with my kids.
Wish I was home schooled recieved alot of bullying couldn't learn anything.Had no desire to graduate.Idid a course after leaving school ,which is Early Childhood.There I earned a living.i will never send my children to school in these kind of environment nowadays. May the Lord strengthen you are on the right path with your children enjoy every bit of it❤ ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
I'm also homeschooling my three children in Kenya. I thought the comments would be quite nasty because many people don't understand homeschooling or unschooling. I'm pleasantly surprised and also encouraged.
As a child I hated school, as an adult I realised how much of my life I wasted there.We are about to move offgrid to a large property and start a family and give our children the childhood we wish we had. The joy on Woodys face is says it all ❤
Would love to talk if your open to more families joining in? My family is looking for something like this. Located in USA and researching some options but open to new starts Either way, learning of others doing this is encouraging ❤️🙏🏻
This is a beautiful portrait of a capable young man. It's also a film that raises the question "What is school for?" Should school continue to be an institution for creating efficient cogs for the machinery of industrialization? Or should it be modelled around planetary healing? If the latter is true, Woody could be a teacher as well as a student. Great job everyone involved!
It should be like any other place we would go to learn a skill. Convened & / or facilitated opportunities to learn the basics- math, English, other languages, biology, chemistry, physics, and some optional extras like phys Ed, art, music, home ec, and so forth. No forced participation. Lots of opportunities to discuss & experiment.
@@user-lt1jd1ye3vI absolutely hated school; all 12 years of it were a torment to me. Institutional schooling of children is a deeply flawed experiment that is unnatural, abusive, and destructive in multiple ways.
@@user-lt1jd1ye3vmy son never attended school. He started his own carpentry business. Built his own home and has a lovely family. School is good if you want to learn something specific - medicine, law etc. Anything before university is a waste of time.
This little documentary brought tears to my eyes, for all of us who lost so much of our life and selves to the school system, which serves little function but to make us effective industrial workers or prisoners. The joy of learning and happiness in our lives discarded in favor of fear-inducing external discipline. How wonderful to see more children growing up with joy in their eyes and smiles on their faces, with skills in a variety of fields and the self-discipline needed to find their way in the world without getting lost in depression and confusion.
I saw a video years ago of your parents who turned your home and property into a mini food Forrest. It's great to see you growing up Woody and you are turning into a great young man!
I too liked that video about Food Forest … My son watched with me and decided he would like to become engineer, so he can create items to make sustainable farming easier ❤❤❤❤❤ Way to go Woody … you inspire others !!!!
I thought they looked familiar!! I remember that video now! Sooooo beautiful, to live with such intention and integrity. th-cam.com/video/rCRukvZE2Vk/w-d-xo.htmlsi=GqZVAzMbUzYACStM
What a lovely, intelligent, friendly, competent, confident, helpful, well adjusted 11 year old. You’re a lovely boy Woody living the good life with your mum, dad and local community. It doesn’t get any better than this 😊 Nice work Jordan ❤
I had the pleasure of meeting Woody as an articulate and adorable two year old. I followed his family’s cycling adventure along the east coast and publication of their book. I have no doubt he will go on to lead a very full and happy life, contributing richly to his community and being comfortable with himself and others. Capable, bright and empathetic. Wonderful things ahead.
What an inspiring family. Not a screen in sight, time for each other, and connected to community. It is so refreshing to see a family that is raising their child their child to be independent, creative, and socially responsible. Well done mum and dad. Woody, you're a champion.
Inspirational. My wife and I are unschooling our two young boys in a similar manner. It’s absolutely incredible to see what Woody, as well as our own sons, dream up and turn into realities when they are given the time, the freedom, and the autonomy to do so. What a gift. Our modern culture is so limiting to kids, both in what we give them the freedom to do as well as our underlying beliefs of what they’re capable of. And in my opinion, it’s the greatest disservice of our generation. When you pursue your talents, you find your purpose. But without the time and space to do so-when you’re forced to spend 12 years in compulsive schooling followed by an immediate jump into the rat race-it’s difficult to have that time or space. To the parents of Woody: you are inspiring. I sincerely wish our paths cross one day.
I agree. My daughter turned 14 yesterday and has been unschooled all her life. She can do amazing things already and has a great outlook and approach to life. I'm so proud of her.
Recently read a book called Trust Kids! It totally evolved the way I see how kids could be in the world and I think treating kids with more autonomy and respect would change the world in incredibly positive ways
In Tudor England (1400s-1600s) a child who did not help their parents with jobs / work in some way by the age of 5 was considered “idle”. I believe in schooling but I think we may have gone a bit too far away from that Tudor viewpoint now. Parents are a child’s first teacher. They should be doing more
Autonomy and respect for children is important but has been manipulated into something ugly in public schools. As guides for children we must maintain integrity.
This is what many of us could have experienced if we weren't forced to give 12 years of our life (at minimum)to a broken education system - just to be drained of much of what makes people capable of forging a path into a bright and prosperous future. I wish I could have lived like this... just a bit.
@@nordderby7675Unfortunately my grandsons are living proof that your statement is incorrect. I have been homeschooling for 5yrs now, the first two years I made sure my boys learned exactly what the schools were teaching for their grade. After looking at the third years curriculum, I found it was exactly the same curriculum for every school year. They looked at me and said “why do we have to do this again and again? It’s boring!” So here’s what I did. I said to the 8th grader, (the 3rd grader in NY doesn’t need to be tested yet) “I’m going to have the state test now, If you score really high, I will completely change how and what you are taught.” He agreed. To my utter shock he scored higher than a 12th grader. He is your average boy of intelligence, so there wasn’t anything “special” about him as far as IQ. That was last year. There literally is no reason for children to spend all those years in school unless it is a trade school. The boredom of learning the same thing every year is why most kids hate going. He can now safely use power tools, cook meals and go food shopping without my help because there is so many things to choose from to learn! Practical things that he needs to know in life. NY State law requires students to be tested from 4th to 12th, and it can’t be me giving the test, so as long as his tests are great, everyone is happy.
So good to see childhood being enjoyed by a child. He is so productive and happy not entertained with toys but fully engaged in the world around him. I love this age for boys.
Every child I met that never went to school always seems to have a mental and emotional maturity of an adult, in fact most adults are so heavily "schooled" that they have yet to mature themselves, yet to explore and understand life, their consciousness has been shaped by a limited system and intelligence greatly suppressed, whereas those who use life as their teacher, become limitless...
Children need time to grow. In my opinion, this is how midlife crisis’ happen. Time is stolen and they only finish growing after life has already taken them somewhere.
My kids, who were always homeschooled, also smiled nearly always. People would comment how they shined. Then the government came, handcuffed me, and took my children. They used homeschooling as a reason to take and keep my children. They forced them into public school, isolated them from me for years, indoctrinated them, and broke our bonds. The children, older now, no longer want anything to do with me, hardly leave their house, and no longer smile or shine. We live in California.
@@panthira2240 I know that when there is a strong parent-child bond based on love, then I don't see how you can be "brainwashed" into alienation. What is better than love? How can a child give up on that? But I don't know everything, so probably you're right
@@panthira2240 How awful! Sadly, it happens in many so-called civilized places, like here in Norway. I know a man who wanted to help an immigrant family that had the same thing happen to them (kids being taken, but nor for homeschooling). This attempt of helping this couple ended up getting the Norwegian man losing his kids as well. It's rampant. I'm an optimist and believe that all will be revealed within months, so this and other tragic practices will be stopped. Hopefully, your kids will wake up to what really happened. I'm sorry you had to experience this. Best wishes for swift changes that might bring you back together again.
I didn’t expect to watch this whole movie. I didn’t expect to have a positive opinion on homeschooling (my own bias) and I didn’t expect to be so engaged by this young man’s knowledge, perspective, kindness and compassion. What a well done documentary. Than you for teaching me something new today, about the world and myself
I’m now in my 50’s. 6 years ago, my partner and i moved from the U.S. suburbs to the country and started an organic veggie farm. I have learned so much about life and love and nature, vastly more than my first 50 years in the chaos of cities and the endless sea of side by side housing.
I'm 40 and moved out out the city 3 months ago. Born and raised in the city. First time having a kitchen a garden and simply enjoying fresh air at its best. I'm wondering what I've been doing in the city my entire life!!! I'd never go back to that mess and pollution.
As a public school teacher, I heartily recommend “unschooling.” This child, Woody, is free of hours spent in a stuffy, crowded classroom doing soul-killing, repetitive tasks, suffering the anxiety and humiliation of standardized testing, and a plethora of boring crap being slung at him for seven hours a day. He is blessed to get to be outside doing what interests him and learning all kinds of independence and life skills. His smiling face says it all. Bless you, Woody! And your parents! ❤
Woody has shown me that learning extends beyond the confines of a classroom and years of academic study. We've been conditioned to equate happiness with securing a well-paying job in the future. Yet, this child has inspired me to adopt his mindset: free-spirited, talented, and satisfied with what he has. He's a remarkable child who inspires adults like myself to see the world differently.
Please more videos like this. Love how he is living his life! It made me think about how I raise my children. Thank you showing your example. It is inspiring.
Wow, you hit the nail on the head. He sounds more mature & confident than a lot of 15-year-olds. I personally was a very gentle, introverted child, and being in school was very stressful for me, a lot of bad influences, and teachers (actually the whole system) made me feel inadequate.
Absolutely one of the most beautiful childhoods i've ever seen. Thanks Woody. Ya got me in tears over here. I can only hope my daughter will get to experience life in this way.
I was depressed from a young age. I have very little memory of my childhood because the level of stress caused me to dissociate, floating above my body and watching it drone along like a worker bee. I have already determined that my children WILL be homeschooled, it is nonnegotiable. Seeing this video gives me so much hope and determination. This is how people should live. Thank you so much for sharing this documentary.
That he ‘decided’ he wanted to learn to read and write at 9 was a relief. Maybe it’s natural for kids to want to. My 5 year old definitely wants to but if my child didn’t… it’s up there with swimming in my mind. You have to be able to do it. I guess if the opportunity is there kids will choose these things and will probably learn them a lot easier when they are ready and have a genuine interest.
My grandchildren are 2nd generation homeschoolers, or were. One has graduated from college, the other is graduating in June. My daughter, a homeschooler herself, ran a homeschool resource center where I taught for a number of years. I've never known a child who didn't want to read at some point--and we worked with all kinds of abilities. The granddaughter who is graduating this year wasn't able to read until 12, dyslexic, went to a top college in NYC on a full scholarship, studied abroad in Amsterdam for a year. Back before reading kicked in for her, she would have been labeled stupid in a public school setting. God knows where she would be right now if she's been on that path.
A friend of mine learned to read at age two. Because babysitter grandma out in the village had always wanted to be a teacher. He remains ahead of the curve to this day.
So impressed with this young man. Not only his enterprising spirit, but also his chill vibe. Really nice to see. Speaks so well of the way he was raised.
This is like our family life in many ways, we are also lucky to be home-ed/unschooling our son. He said " how did they make the film without screens?" adding a cheesy grin. Watching the film brought up so much emotion. If you are wondering about home-ed/unschooling... be brave, be bold and go for it! Take your time over reading, writing, spelling and math, there is no rush.
This was a breath of fresh air... What an awesome life, what a interesting, beautiful, responsible natural way of growing up to be a man with very little time allowed to get bored ... kudos to such great parents.
A beautiful film and a gorgeous family! It’s great to see non mainstream people living the way they want and showing what’s possible. We’re contemplating homeschooling for our daughter and we moved to rural Tasmania to give her (and us) a beautiful place to grow. This inspires me and brought a massive smile to my face numerous times! Thanks Woody (and Family)! 🙏😀❤️🥲😍
They are not mainstream, they are hippies and there used to be hippy communed in the 70s. They also had issues like sexual abuse because there is no oversight and children are often abused and neglected. The case of Woody is not the case but again we don’t know what happens when the camera is not on.
@@ndkh7444you haven’t read my comment properly. It appears that this film has triggered something for you. I’m sorry for whatever wound it’s opened up but that’s not the point of the film or my comment. ☮️
@@Jo-kh1yo Inspired me to homeschool my daughter nearly 50 years ago. Knew him in Boston as well. My daughter created a homeschool resource center, where she provide educational opportunities for hundreds of homeschooled kids. That book changed my life. I found it when I was studying to be a teacher and it took me in a whole new direction.
What a lovely life Woody is living! I love that for them. He's so bright, and he's learning lessons that are never taught in school. Good for him! I hope he goes far, and I think he will.
I agree with all of these amazing comments. Woody is truly a lucky child. The only thing I would change in his life, though, is to get him eye goggles to protect his eyes when he is using the machinery. Thank you for an amazing film.
I see a bright future for this boy. He will definitely be able to support himself through life with his hands and wits! A true entrepreneur! This was a marvelous little documentary.
I’m a public school teacher. This is an idyllic and beautiful film. I have a few questions. I saw that he can write and read what he wrote. Does he have access to books? Was it a choice to not show him using math to calculate, measure, etc.? Does he have a friend group? He was playing cricket alone. Unschooling is like Montessori - student-driven instruction. I wonder what could happen if schools blended the basic skills with project-based learning (what the film shows). Exciting to think about.
I agree. Very idyllic and beautiful -- it would be nice if every unschooled child were in an environment such as this. There is no shortage of people in these comments that say they wasted a lot of time in schools. Kids are like sponges when it comes to learning, but, I think we do force them to absorb too much and it creates a lot of anxiety. When I first learned about Montessori schools, I thought, it could be an amazing solution -- kids are still exposed to what's offered in school and can then choose to explore and pursue what they're interested in. While I am personally grateful for the education I received, I might have thrived well in a school like that.
Its exact;y what the people who own everything don’t want…free thinking capable people.People like that would realize what a scam world we are living in and put a stop to it.they can’t have that.
I'm so jealous of this kid oh my goodness what a wonderful life he has, you know I went to school for 12 years graduated then went to college and I'm still not as happy as this young man, I wish him all the luck in the world and I really admire him and his family!
Woody is such a calm, even-tempered soul, a testament to his pure and natural upbringing and healthy diet. No processed foods, sugar-sweetened beverages, etc. Such an idyllic life. Thank you for giving us a glimpse of what is possible.
Of course he is, he's technically an 11-year-old adult working on a farm all day "unschooling". Don't get me wrong, he's amazing and knows a lot of things other kids his age don't (but doesn't know a lot of things kids his age do now, I'm afraid). But I wish he spent more time with his peers and less with chores, even if he enjoys helping his parents. I'm heartbroken by all the comments by people who found school "useless" and "traumatizing". My school experience was completely different, I loved socializing, playing sports in the afternoon and had amazing, inspiring teachers (with the occasional rotten apple - but encountering them taught me very important lessons). All the best to Woody and his family❤
Absolutely wonderful. Love this family. This is what it’s about kids learning from nature and their surroundings. Getting out and exploring and learning from the land and supplementing with things that matter i.e reading writing basic math etc. not sitting in a classroom 6 or more hours a day. Thanks for another beautiful video!
Woody and his folks are such beautiful people 💓 From an unschooling free spirited kiddo raising mama, may this inspire others to chase their happiness and dreams and find magic in life's simplicity ✨ Know your beautiful children...spend time with your loved ones
What a wonderful person Woody is growing up to be. My grandchildren are homeschooled. I think it is the most beautiful and natural way on earth to raise children.
That's wonderful! Often when I see these documentaries I question how much children are learning when they're unschooled, even as a forest school teacher myself, but Woody seems like he is so mature, capable, and methodical, and investigative. I love hearing how he saved up for each machine in succession to be able to buy his materials for woodworking. What a wonderful work ethic and way to learn! I imagine he'll be such a well-adjusted, capable adult, as he already seems so.
It does my heart good to see that children can succeed without the establishment's involvement. I was unfortunately a victim of corporate educational mill; however grew up on a farm and I learned far more there than in "school". Cheers!
This is a much better way to learn. I disliked school immensley. Although I don't think lessons should be a choice. Reading, writing and arithmetic are essential skills necessary to function well in life.
Lovely film, lovely life. A life many dream of but don't have the courage or skills to embark on. Keep on sharing, Woody, i hope many other young people like your example too.
This exudes happiness to me & happiness is exactly why I decided to unschool/home school my girls 2 years ago. Hands down the best decision we ever made as a family. Best wishes woody & many blessings for your future ❤️
Beautiful. A truly happy child with an abundance of skills most adults don't seem to have - as well as a gentle nature. He'll never have to experience the trauma that some of us go through at school. The only thing that niggles me is the way they let him choose when to read and write. These are such crucial skills that the importance of can't be understated. Also, basic maths and money, which I assume he's learning at some point. But without reading and writing one can never know the joys of reading for pleasure, or to learn, or to communicate. It's very limiting without it, so I'm glad he did decide he wanted to learn and he's enjoying it.
There's a lot of good here. I didn't like that he was illiterate until the age of 9. But as long as he's learning now. I love that the father is involved and teaching him life skills! That is so lost in today's culture. It would've been interesting to see how his family actually makes a living. Anyway, he seems to be a bright, well trained, well spoken, responsible boy. I don't think he'll be the type to be a zombie, staring at a screen all day. Glad to see it!
My child was illiterate until age 10 or 11, and he only learned to read then because school was causing him such mental health issues I had no choice but to pull him out and homeschool him. He refused to let me teach him how to read, as his teachers had caused him so much stress. It was very hard for me to let go, but I did, and he taught himself how to read! Being a parent is hard, and I haven't always gotten it right....but I'm glad with this at least I sure did. =)
This young man knows more about hard work, the sense of survival and appreciation for what he has rather than what he doesn’t. He learns easily because he not distracted like most kids with phones and games.
Yes Woody! What a beautiful, fun filled and work filled life you and your family live! Thankyou for sharing your day with us! We live in the Strathbogies and we have a little boy Ezzy who is also unschooled, it's so fun to have the time to follow your interests and learn the things that interest you. I loved seeing your chopping boards and your awesome tools you've gradually saved up for! Nice work =) All the best, Bex, Tom and Ezra
What a sweet young man! He may not be getting a "formal education", but he is learning and growing in ways that most youth in our society never will. He's such a hard worker, is respectful and knowledgeable and is loving and living life to the fullest. He will be more successful and "richer" than most children in our world. Bravo!
Alot of people see this as freedom and what not but in a society with so many abilities how does this form of education provide freedom . Take him outside let him explore but hit those books and pay attention in class too. If he wants to become a doctor for example his current education is going to hinder him so much, limiting him to the possibilies humanity has created in the last couple hundred years, telling him what we did thousand of years ago is the most amazing thing to do, i spent over 20 years of my life learning so many new things humanity has discovered and I love it, maybe not when i was going thru the grind but good things dont come easy, just my opinion and take on it
What an amazing boy and a beautiful family! I've added this to my playlist and watched it so many times. Heartfelt wishes from Ireland I'm grateful to feel so inspired every time I watch it! 💚
What an absolutely charming young boy and his family. I'm still reeling from the recent election results here in the US. This has been good therapy. Thank you Woody. Love your spirit. Wishing you and your family only the best.
What a beautiful life. A happy carefree and productive childhood. Thank you for sharing. Real family values, parents that have time investing in raising their own children, teaching useful skills and how well it affected this young man. I wish they were my neighbours.
I love this so much. What an absolutely awesome kid. He reminds me a lot of my partner who grew up in rural Vic, spend his childhood riding around the mountains and doing similar stuff and I have to say he’s become the most amazing adult because of all of these skills and this sort of upbringing.
Watching this I realized that it might be the first time I’ve ever seen a documentary that’s purely from a child’s perspective! No adults butting in or commentating on his experience. Just Woody, speaking for himself and being respected at the level of adults.
Bravo!
Thanks for pointing this out! 😊
Yeah I love this as well
Something soothing about this. Young people these days are tied up with technology and forced learning. No chance to develop their own ideas without adult interference.
I think I saw one about a boy in the coldest place on Earth. Very interesting video as well. I recommend that!
I can't help it. -- Yes, it's starring a child but the whole narrative is carefully constructed by the adults. The very fact that they are using the child as a mouthpiece is done to lower your guard---children are honest, so if an adult has a child say their message, to a viewer the information will seem to be more honest and trustworthy.
The adults made sure to say:
Unschooled kids have the opportunity to socialize outside of school.
They have the opportunity to learn essential skills like reading through co-ops.
Even suggesting the idea that kids with his personality do better in unschooling because public school might tear down his kind nature.
* insert hamfisted nature stuff *
The adults making the film got him to say everything that he said with leading questions, and edited it in this way.
This film is giving VERY specific answers to questions and concerns people might have about unschooling.
I hate unschooling, homeschooling and think it should be illegal because it has more issues and really no good solutions. Primarily, the parents are the problem. It's an awful situation where you have abusive or neglectful parents who use it to isolate their kids or just straight up do a bad job at educating them.
The parents here at least seem to be engaged, which is what makes it APPEAR to work, and that's the only reason why it even looks this appealing. (Engaged and kind parents in any situation will provide their kids with superior care).
The fact that he is 9 years old and still learning basic sounds and struggles to read and write is SCARY. That's 4/5 year old stuff.
As a teacher watching many unhappy, anxious children on a daily basis I would not call this 'unschooled'. Actually, the other way around. Schools of today are now producing the 'unschooled' of tomorrow. This young man showed us what the real sense of education once meant.
P.S. I am doing my best to make changes but constantly swimming upstream
Absolutely agree. Anxiety is rife in schools. This boy looks completely at ease & happy!
Be part of a home-schooling co-op instead, and encourage kids to join you. You won't achieve anything against the might of the indoctrination state.
Thanks a lot for that comment from a teachers perspective! Usually everytime people are critizising the modern school systems there are teachers defending it. But looking back at my own school histroy I'm 100% sure that at least 70% of the time spent there was totally useless. There is way too much time waste on things that you never need again in your life, while not learning what you really need know. Plus lots of wasted time doing literally nothing.
Many blessings on your journey to make changes to the traditional ways of teaching the children 🙏🫶
You are making a difference I am sure of that!
This young man is living a better life than most 11yr olds who sit in front of a screen playing video games for hours!!!!!! He is learning how to survive and skills to carry him thru his life.
"I don't decide what to learn, I just discover things..." ❤
That's the best quote I think
How I feel about my later years of guitar playing. Imagine that life.
That will work for some kids. But not all. If you've got a lazy kid, they're not going to want to "decide" to do anything.
@@Yesica1993 Perhaps "lazy" kids are simply bored kids or kids who are overstimulated by media saturation and the noise of the world. Give them a rich field for discovery like this boy has, and I'd bet money they'd switch gears quickly. 💙
@@Yesica1993A lazy kid isn't going to be lazy if he's doing what he likes to do.
This is the way most kids should learn, or at least the first few years.
This young man is polite, articulate when he speaks, knows the value of things, and saved for each tool he wanted.
I might have encouraged reading and writing a little earlier, but that's just me.
Well done Woody, enjoy life while you can.
He should have been reading and writing WAY earlier. It's a primary skill to learn more skills
@@cyblue2846 I didn't learn to read or write until I was 10. I was homeschooled poorly, but I still taught myself casually over my early teenage years by simply being perceptive. It's unreasonable to assume everyone must learn the same things as you, and at the same times. The education system is extremely flawed, and that expectation is a big part of it. It treats people like machines to produce wealth for the rich, rather than people with their own interests and struggles to overcome in their own way, at their own speed of living. Woody is still being educated, but priorities and beliefs differ. A man bred from the state factory isn't any happier than a man of his community, often the opposite. There's a fundamental misunderstanding of human social function. We're a tribal species, and few want to accept that. Jungian psychologists neglect this important piece of our reality.
Reading and writing is definitely useful, but most of humanity developed and crafted the world without it. The best way to learn more skills is by doing, reading is just a replacement for apprenticeship in that regard. Sometimes I wish I couldn't read, because most of what I do read is brainslop, unworthy of anyone's time.
I agree with you on reading/writing, but then again perhaps Woody will not be interested in going down an academic path, which would mean he doesn’t need to cram knowledge that is not practical or useful to him to a short period in his life, but he can spread out his learning more. I also believe he would be guided by instinct to be curious about reading/writing if that’s where his passion lies, because I know from myself that I was dying to know about books and learned how to read before I started school purely out of curiosity. Kids also go through a lot of different phases as they grow up, and having no distractions and a lot of curiosity/interest can help anyone catch up with what the system teaches in a short time. If I were to go down this route with my child I would probably like to make sure that the basics are given properly at an early age too, but just like you said, that’s a personal choice and I don’t see this being a disaster in any way for this lovely young man!
I homeschool my four children and the comments just warms my heart.
It works for our family and it allows me to have such an amazing relationship with my kids.
Wish I was home schooled recieved alot of bullying couldn't learn anything.Had no desire to graduate.Idid a course after leaving school ,which is Early Childhood.There I earned a living.i will never send my children to school in these kind of environment nowadays. May the Lord strengthen you are on the right path with your children enjoy every bit of it❤ ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
@@CarenXavier❤❤❤
I'm also homeschooling my three children in Kenya. I thought the comments would be quite nasty because many people don't understand homeschooling or unschooling. I'm pleasantly surprised and also encouraged.
My daughter is homeschooling her 2 daughters it’s the best thing she ever did plus I get to see them more often life is short
🇰🇪 hey Kenyan homeschooler, when all is said and done homeschooling isn't for the fainthearted
This is how like should be raised... You can feel the respect that he gives in his voice and personality.... He will grow up to be a kind man....
As a child I hated school, as an adult I realised how much of my life I wasted there.We are about to move offgrid to a large property and start a family and give our children the childhood we wish we had. The joy on Woodys face is says it all ❤
Would love to talk if your open to more families joining in? My family is looking for something like this. Located in USA and researching some options but open to new starts
Either way, learning of others doing this is encouraging ❤️🙏🏻
You are going to have kids on a planet that has a population out of control with climate change accelerating more and more?
This is a beautiful portrait of a capable young man. It's also a film that raises the question "What is school for?" Should school continue to be an institution for creating efficient cogs for the machinery of industrialization? Or should it be modelled around planetary healing? If the latter is true, Woody could be a teacher as well as a student. Great job everyone involved!
People go to school so they can work jobs when they’re older, it’s pretty simple. People need money to live usually, buy a house, have land etc
It should be like any other place we would go to learn a skill. Convened & / or facilitated opportunities to learn the basics- math, English, other languages, biology, chemistry, physics, and some optional extras like phys Ed, art, music, home ec, and so forth. No forced participation. Lots of opportunities to discuss & experiment.
@@user-lt1jd1ye3vVery insightful and thought provoking. Amazing.
@@user-lt1jd1ye3vI absolutely hated school; all 12 years of it were a torment to me.
Institutional schooling of children is a deeply flawed experiment that is unnatural, abusive, and destructive in multiple ways.
@@user-lt1jd1ye3vmy son never attended school. He started his own carpentry business. Built his own home and has a lovely family. School is good if you want to learn something specific - medicine, law etc. Anything before university is a waste of time.
This little documentary brought tears to my eyes, for all of us who lost so much of our life and selves to the school system, which serves little function but to make us effective industrial workers or prisoners. The joy of learning and happiness in our lives discarded in favor of fear-inducing external discipline.
How wonderful to see more children growing up with joy in their eyes and smiles on their faces, with skills in a variety of fields and the self-discipline needed to find their way in the world without getting lost in depression and confusion.
I saw a video years ago of your parents who turned your home and property into a mini food Forrest. It's great to see you growing up Woody and you are turning into a great young man!
This one, I suppose. I wouldn’t have remembered it if you did mention it. Thanks!
th-cam.com/video/rCRukvZE2Vk/w-d-xo.htmlfeature=shared
Me too! I thought of it right away! Special people 💚
Where in Australia do this family live?
I too liked that video about Food Forest … My son watched with me and decided he would like to become engineer, so he can create items to make sustainable farming easier ❤❤❤❤❤ Way to go Woody … you inspire others !!!!
I thought they looked familiar!! I remember that video now! Sooooo beautiful, to live with such intention and integrity. th-cam.com/video/rCRukvZE2Vk/w-d-xo.htmlsi=GqZVAzMbUzYACStM
What a lovely, intelligent, friendly, competent, confident, helpful, well adjusted 11 year old.
You’re a lovely boy Woody living the good life with your mum, dad and local community.
It doesn’t get any better than this 😊
Nice work Jordan ❤
I had the pleasure of meeting Woody as an articulate and adorable two year old. I followed his family’s cycling adventure along the east coast and publication of their book. I have no doubt he will go on to lead a very full and happy life, contributing richly to his community and being comfortable with himself and others. Capable, bright and empathetic. Wonderful things ahead.
Could you share the title of their book on cycling etc?
I am interested.
Thank you
I would love to know the title too 🤩
Interested too
The art of free travel
What an inspiring family. Not a screen in sight, time for each other, and connected to community. It is so refreshing to see a family that is raising their child their child to be independent, creative, and socially responsible. Well done mum and dad. Woody, you're a champion.
Inspirational. My wife and I are unschooling our two young boys in a similar manner. It’s absolutely incredible to see what Woody, as well as our own sons, dream up and turn into realities when they are given the time, the freedom, and the autonomy to do so. What a gift.
Our modern culture is so limiting to kids, both in what we give them the freedom to do as well as our underlying beliefs of what they’re capable of. And in my opinion, it’s the greatest disservice of our generation.
When you pursue your talents, you find your purpose. But without the time and space to do so-when you’re forced to spend 12 years in compulsive schooling followed by an immediate jump into the rat race-it’s difficult to have that time or space.
To the parents of Woody: you are inspiring. I sincerely wish our paths cross one day.
I agree. My daughter turned 14 yesterday and has been unschooled all her life. She can do amazing things already and has a great outlook and approach to life. I'm so proud of her.
Recently read a book called Trust Kids! It totally evolved the way I see how kids could be in the world and I think treating kids with more autonomy and respect would change the world in incredibly positive ways
In Tudor England (1400s-1600s) a child who did not help their parents with jobs / work in some way by the age of 5 was considered “idle”. I believe in schooling but I think we may have gone a bit too far away from that Tudor viewpoint now. Parents are a child’s first teacher. They should be doing more
Who wrote it? I’d love to read it
@@megan7292 carla joy bergman! it was a great read
Autonomy and respect for children is important but has been manipulated into something ugly in public schools. As guides for children we must maintain integrity.
This is what many of us could have experienced if we weren't forced to give 12 years of our life (at minimum)to a broken education system - just to be drained of much of what makes people capable of forging a path into a bright and prosperous future. I wish I could have lived like this... just a bit.
We all wish that🌻 everything we were taught was a lie
Like this video 😊 thank you
Give this life to your offspring!
❤
@@nordderby7675Unfortunately my grandsons are living proof that your statement is incorrect. I have been homeschooling for 5yrs now, the first two years I made sure my boys learned exactly what the schools were teaching for their grade. After looking at the third years curriculum, I found it was exactly the same curriculum for every school year. They looked at me and said “why do we have to do this again and again? It’s boring!” So here’s what I did. I said to the 8th grader, (the 3rd grader in NY doesn’t need to be tested yet) “I’m going to have the state test now, If you score really high, I will completely change how and what you are taught.” He agreed. To my utter shock he scored higher than a 12th grader. He is your average boy of intelligence, so there wasn’t anything “special” about him as far as IQ. That was last year. There literally is no reason for children to spend all those years in school unless it is a trade school. The boredom of learning the same thing every year is why most kids hate going. He can now safely use power tools, cook meals and go food shopping without my help because there is so many things to choose from to learn! Practical things that he needs to know in life. NY State law requires students to be tested from 4th to 12th, and it can’t be me giving the test, so as long as his tests are great, everyone is happy.
I think kids getting to learn this way, love for the land, gardening, art work, learning how to use tools etc is so valuable, what a nice kid/family
So good to see childhood being enjoyed by a child. He is so productive and happy not entertained with toys but fully engaged in the world around him. I love this age for boys.
Every child I met that never went to school always seems to have a mental and emotional maturity of an adult, in fact most adults are so heavily "schooled" that they have yet to mature themselves, yet to explore and understand life, their consciousness has been shaped by a limited system and intelligence greatly suppressed, whereas those who use life as their teacher, become limitless...
Amazingly insightful, a lovely comment!
Children need time to grow. In my opinion, this is how midlife crisis’ happen. Time is stolen and they only finish growing after life has already taken them somewhere.
All by design…
This is where the meaning of life can be found. This gives me hope for humanity.
@@nickbringolf1181 🙏💜
Woody is always smiling and that is all that matters.
My kids, who were always homeschooled, also smiled nearly always. People would comment how they shined.
Then the government came, handcuffed me, and took my children. They used homeschooling as a reason to take and keep my children. They forced them into public school, isolated them from me for years, indoctrinated them, and broke our bonds. The children, older now, no longer want anything to do with me, hardly leave their house, and no longer smile or shine.
We live in California.
@@panthira2240what is the reason your children want nothing to do with you?
@@hamerfulparental alienation syndrome and brainwashing. Not because I did anything wrong as I'm sure you're inferring.
@@panthira2240 I know that when there is a strong parent-child bond based on love, then I don't see how you can be "brainwashed" into alienation. What is better than love? How can a child give up on that?
But I don't know everything, so probably you're right
@@panthira2240 How awful! Sadly, it happens in many so-called civilized places, like here in Norway. I know a man who wanted to help an immigrant family that had the same thing happen to them (kids being taken, but nor for homeschooling). This attempt of helping this couple ended up getting the Norwegian man losing his kids as well. It's rampant. I'm an optimist and believe that all will be revealed within months, so this and other tragic practices will be stopped. Hopefully, your kids will wake up to what really happened. I'm sorry you had to experience this. Best wishes for swift changes that might bring you back together again.
I didn’t expect to watch this whole movie. I didn’t expect to have a positive opinion on homeschooling (my own bias) and I didn’t expect to be so engaged by this young man’s knowledge, perspective, kindness and compassion. What a well done documentary. Than you for teaching me something new today, about the world and myself
What a beautiful young boy, he is learning life skills, well done to both his Mam and Dad 👏👏👏
I’m now in my 50’s. 6 years ago, my partner and i moved from the U.S. suburbs to the country and started an organic veggie farm. I have learned so much about life and love and nature, vastly more than my first 50 years in the chaos of cities and the endless sea of side by side housing.
I'm 40 and moved out out the city 3 months ago. Born and raised in the city. First time having a kitchen a garden and simply enjoying fresh air at its best. I'm wondering what I've been doing in the city my entire life!!! I'd never go back to that mess and pollution.
As a public school teacher, I heartily recommend “unschooling.” This child, Woody, is free of hours spent in a stuffy, crowded classroom doing soul-killing, repetitive tasks, suffering the anxiety and humiliation of standardized testing, and a plethora of boring crap being slung at him for seven hours a day. He is blessed to get to be outside doing what interests him and learning all kinds of independence and life skills. His smiling face says it all. Bless you, Woody! And your parents! ❤
Woody has shown me that learning extends beyond the confines of a classroom and years of academic study. We've been conditioned to equate happiness with securing a well-paying job in the future. Yet, this child has inspired me to adopt his mindset: free-spirited, talented, and satisfied with what he has. He's a remarkable child who inspires adults like myself to see the world differently.
Please more videos like this. Love how he is living his life! It made me think about how I raise my children. Thank you showing your example. It is inspiring.
He won’t have to grow up learning to be embarrassed by everything he does. He can do what he wants happily, and full of enjoyment.
Wow, you hit the nail on the head. He sounds more mature & confident than a lot of 15-year-olds.
I personally was a very gentle, introverted child, and being in school was very stressful for me, a lot of bad influences, and teachers (actually the whole system) made me feel inadequate.
Absolutely one of the most beautiful childhoods i've ever seen. Thanks Woody. Ya got me in tears over here. I can only hope my daughter will get to experience life in this way.
I was depressed from a young age. I have very little memory of my childhood because the level of stress caused me to dissociate, floating above my body and watching it drone along like a worker bee. I have already determined that my children WILL be homeschooled, it is nonnegotiable. Seeing this video gives me so much hope and determination. This is how people should live. Thank you so much for sharing this documentary.
Thank you so very much Woody and parents and Happen Films for sharing. This is heartwarming, meant to be life for every child🙏🏼♥️
@@Wildnativeedimentals The doors are opened to lead the way forwards to a Mew Earth🙏🎁💜🕊️🕊️🕊️🌎🌈
I love this. I am so thankful that there are parents on this Earth who are teaching their child to live sovereign and free.
That he ‘decided’ he wanted to learn to read and write at 9 was a relief. Maybe it’s natural for kids to want to. My 5 year old definitely wants to but if my child didn’t… it’s up there with swimming in my mind. You have to be able to do it. I guess if the opportunity is there kids will choose these things and will probably learn them a lot easier when they are ready and have a genuine interest.
My grandchildren are 2nd generation homeschoolers, or were. One has graduated from college, the other is graduating in June. My daughter, a homeschooler herself, ran a homeschool resource center where I taught for a number of years. I've never known a child who didn't want to read at some point--and we worked with all kinds of abilities. The granddaughter who is graduating this year wasn't able to read until 12, dyslexic, went to a top college in NYC on a full scholarship, studied abroad in Amsterdam for a year. Back before reading kicked in for her, she would have been labeled stupid in a public school setting. God knows where she would be right now if she's been on that path.
A friend of mine learned to read at age two. Because babysitter grandma out in the village had always wanted to be a teacher. He remains ahead of the curve to this day.
So impressed with this young man. Not only his enterprising spirit, but also his chill vibe. Really nice to see. Speaks so well of the way he was raised.
This is like our family life in many ways, we are also lucky to be home-ed/unschooling our son. He said " how did they make the film without screens?" adding a cheesy grin. Watching the film brought up so much emotion. If you are wondering about home-ed/unschooling... be brave, be bold and go for it! Take your time over reading, writing, spelling and math, there is no rush.
“I don’t decide what to learn. I just discover things.”. LOVE this
I didn’t want it to end! Enjoyed it very much, thank you!
This was a breath of fresh air... What an awesome life, what a interesting, beautiful, responsible natural way of growing up to be a man with very little time allowed to get bored ... kudos to such great parents.
A beautiful and wise education in these times. His huge smile when he says - I don't get told what to learn, I discover it - says it all.
So inspiring to see people choosing different paths for their children and families!
The way the parents talk to him, the way they allowed him to use the saw and helps them on the land is just so beautiful
A beautiful film and a gorgeous family! It’s great to see non mainstream people living the way they want and showing what’s possible. We’re contemplating homeschooling for our daughter and we moved to rural Tasmania to give her (and us) a beautiful place to grow. This inspires me and brought a massive smile to my face numerous times! Thanks Woody (and Family)! 🙏😀❤️🥲😍
I found John Holt books really helpful during my son`s homeschooling/unschooling journey.
They are not mainstream, they are hippies and there used to be hippy communed in the 70s. They also had issues like sexual abuse because there is no oversight and children are often abused and neglected. The case of Woody is not the case but again we don’t know what happens when the camera is not on.
@@ndkh7444you haven’t read my comment properly. It appears that this film has triggered something for you. I’m sorry for whatever wound it’s opened up but that’s not the point of the film or my comment. ☮️
@@ndkh7444 please read the comment well. You missed it
@@Jo-kh1yo Inspired me to homeschool my daughter nearly 50 years ago. Knew him in Boston as well. My daughter created a homeschool resource center, where she provide educational opportunities for hundreds of homeschooled kids. That book changed my life. I found it when I was studying to be a teacher and it took me in a whole new direction.
What a lovely life Woody is living! I love that for them. He's so bright, and he's learning lessons that are never taught in school. Good for him! I hope he goes far, and I think he will.
What a sweet gentle child. So thoughtful and wise at such a young age. He will grow into a wonderful man.
I agree with all of these amazing comments. Woody is truly a lucky child. The only thing I would change in his life, though, is to get him eye goggles to protect his eyes when he is using the machinery. Thank you for an amazing film.
I didn't want it to end... The joy in this child's life ❤
Such a beautiful soul! His parents must be so proud of the young man he’s becoming! So sweet!❤❤
Be fantastic to do a follow up every couple years…..what an ideal life. Kudos to mum and dad. 😊
I see a bright future for this boy. He will definitely be able to support himself through life with his hands and wits! A true entrepreneur! This was a marvelous little documentary.
What a beautiful example of how homeschooling can work. Good job mum and dad. Woody is a lovely, boy.
This is unschooling rather than homeschooling
What a beautiful boy and family. This is so inspiring. Thank you for this film!
I’m a public school teacher. This is an idyllic and beautiful film. I have a few questions. I saw that he can write and read what he wrote. Does he have access to books? Was it a choice to not show him using math to calculate, measure, etc.? Does he have a friend group? He was playing cricket alone. Unschooling is like Montessori - student-driven instruction. I wonder what could happen if schools blended the basic skills with project-based learning (what the film shows). Exciting to think about.
He said he goes to a home school co-op sometimes
I agree. Very idyllic and beautiful -- it would be nice if every unschooled child were in an environment such as this. There is no shortage of people in these comments that say they wasted a lot of time in schools. Kids are like sponges when it comes to learning, but, I think we do force them to absorb too much and it creates a lot of anxiety. When I first learned about Montessori schools, I thought, it could be an amazing solution -- kids are still exposed to what's offered in school and can then choose to explore and pursue what they're interested in. While I am personally grateful for the education I received, I might have thrived well in a school like that.
Its exact;y what the people who own everything don’t want…free thinking capable people.People like that would realize what a scam world we are living in and put a stop to it.they can’t have that.
i was homeschooled until 5th grade. this really takes me back, especially the bike ride to their local farmer's market.
The real blessing here is the love and attention given by Woody's parents.
What a great kid! Kudos to his parents!
I'm so jealous of this kid oh my goodness what a wonderful life he has, you know I went to school for 12 years graduated then went to college and I'm still not as happy as this young man, I wish him all the luck in the world and I really admire him and his family!
What a sweet boy, so curious and involved in the world around-amazing job Meg and Patrick!
Woody is such a calm, even-tempered soul, a testament to his pure and natural upbringing and healthy diet. No processed foods, sugar-sweetened beverages, etc. Such an idyllic life. Thank you for giving us a glimpse of what is possible.
Of course he is, he's technically an 11-year-old adult working on a farm all day "unschooling". Don't get me wrong, he's amazing and knows a lot of things other kids his age don't (but doesn't know a lot of things kids his age do now, I'm afraid). But I wish he spent more time with his peers and less with chores, even if he enjoys helping his parents. I'm heartbroken by all the comments by people who found school "useless" and "traumatizing". My school experience was completely different, I loved socializing, playing sports in the afternoon and had amazing, inspiring teachers (with the occasional rotten apple - but encountering them taught me very important lessons). All the best to Woody and his family❤
Absolutely wonderful. Love this family. This is what it’s about kids learning from nature and their surroundings. Getting out and exploring and learning from the land and supplementing with things that matter i.e reading writing basic math etc. not sitting in a classroom 6 or more hours a day. Thanks for another beautiful video!
Woody and his folks are such beautiful people 💓 From an unschooling free spirited kiddo raising mama, may this inspire others to chase their happiness and dreams and find magic in life's simplicity ✨ Know your beautiful children...spend time with your loved ones
This is lovely! Takes me back to when I homeschooled my oldest. Lots of time spent outdoors, singing, creating art, interacting with others.
This boy is FAR from unschooled. What a dream childhood! Not addicted to video games or iphones. Incredible!
because of the sacrifice of the parents
This is life, pure and simple. What a wonderful experience.
Tous les enfants devraient grandir aussi heureux que ce jeune homme. Wow quelles habiletés il a développées pour son âge, bravo Mèt et Patrick.
What a wonderful person Woody is growing up to be. My grandchildren are homeschooled. I think it is the most beautiful and natural way on earth to raise children.
Thank you for sharing this precious soul with us again.
That's wonderful! Often when I see these documentaries I question how much children are learning when they're unschooled, even as a forest school teacher myself, but Woody seems like he is so mature, capable, and methodical, and investigative. I love hearing how he saved up for each machine in succession to be able to buy his materials for woodworking. What a wonderful work ethic and way to learn! I imagine he'll be such a well-adjusted, capable adult, as he already seems so.
Remarkable little man...Learned so much from you, dear boy...There is a hope for this world, after all...
It does my heart good to see that children can succeed without the establishment's involvement. I was unfortunately a victim of corporate educational mill; however grew up on a farm and I learned far more there than in "school". Cheers!
Thank you
for sharing about
your day Woody!
The way a man does anything, is the way he does everything. This young lad will do just fine💕
Love it!! My kids unschool too.. Loved seeing this film.. Thank you! 😊🖤✨
This is a much better way to learn. I disliked school immensley. Although I don't think lessons should be a choice. Reading, writing and arithmetic are essential skills necessary to function well in life.
❤❤❤❤ if I had a kid I’d want my kid to be as knowledgeable as this kid he seems gentle and kind!!!
Lovely film, lovely life. A life many dream of but don't have the courage or skills to embark on. Keep on sharing, Woody, i hope many other young people like your example too.
What a joyous young man. He is learning far more valuable lessons in life than a school could have ever taught him.
This exudes happiness to me & happiness is exactly why I decided to unschool/home school my girls 2 years ago. Hands down the best decision we ever made as a family. Best wishes woody & many blessings for your future ❤️
Beautiful. A truly happy child with an abundance of skills most adults don't seem to have - as well as a gentle nature. He'll never have to experience the trauma that some of us go through at school. The only thing that niggles me is the way they let him choose when to read and write. These are such crucial skills that the importance of can't be understated. Also, basic maths and money, which I assume he's learning at some point. But without reading and writing one can never know the joys of reading for pleasure, or to learn, or to communicate. It's very limiting without it, so I'm glad he did decide he wanted to learn and he's enjoying it.
There's a lot of good here. I didn't like that he was illiterate until the age of 9. But as long as he's learning now. I love that the father is involved and teaching him life skills! That is so lost in today's culture. It would've been interesting to see how his family actually makes a living. Anyway, he seems to be a bright, well trained, well spoken, responsible boy. I don't think he'll be the type to be a zombie, staring at a screen all day. Glad to see it!
My child was illiterate until age 10 or 11, and he only learned to read then because school was causing him such mental health issues I had no choice but to pull him out and homeschool him. He refused to let me teach him how to read, as his teachers had caused him so much stress. It was very hard for me to let go, but I did, and he taught himself how to read! Being a parent is hard, and I haven't always gotten it right....but I'm glad with this at least I sure did. =)
This broke my heart and made me weep for the life I could have had, and wished I did.
Lucky Woody, and what blessed parents. Good on them all. ❤
This young man knows more about hard work, the sense of survival and appreciation for what he has rather than what he doesn’t. He learns easily because he not distracted like most kids with phones and games.
Yes Woody! What a beautiful, fun filled and work filled life you and your family live! Thankyou for sharing your day with us! We live in the Strathbogies and we have a little boy Ezzy who is also unschooled, it's so fun to have the time to follow your interests and learn the things that interest you. I loved seeing your chopping boards and your awesome tools you've gradually saved up for! Nice work =) All the best, Bex, Tom and Ezra
What a sweet young man! He may not be getting a "formal education", but he is learning and growing in ways that most youth in our society never will. He's such a hard worker, is respectful and knowledgeable and is loving and living life to the fullest. He will be more successful and "richer" than most children in our world. Bravo!
What a beautiful boy. In charge of his own person, kind, helpful and very capable. I think he much be a very nice friend too.
I would watch your vlogs Woody every single week. You are so inspiring and your energy is so powerfully kind! ❤
This video was a much need gift of hope. Imagine a world where this is how children are taught. Learning skills from a young age 🌻👣
A beautiful family! ❤ Thank you for making this.
Congrats to the parents of "Woddy". Best thing to do so the child can stay grounded and connected. Best legacy you can give to someone. All the best!
Alot of people see this as freedom and what not but in a society with so many abilities how does this form of education provide freedom . Take him outside let him explore but hit those books and pay attention in class too. If he wants to become a doctor for example his current education is going to hinder him so much, limiting him to the possibilies humanity has created in the last couple hundred years, telling him what we did thousand of years ago is the most amazing thing to do, i spent over 20 years of my life learning so many new things humanity has discovered and I love it, maybe not when i was going thru the grind but good things dont come easy, just my opinion and take on it
This is how we’re supposed to be doing this life thing folks! The world through a child’s eyes with his family. 🙏😊❤️
What an amazing boy and a beautiful family! I've added this to my playlist and watched it so many times. Heartfelt wishes from Ireland I'm grateful to feel so inspired every time I watch it! 💚
Beautiful happy child!
Well done Parents!
❤️
beautiful! 😄 well done everybody - thank you for showing us!
What an absolutely charming young boy and his family. I'm still reeling from the recent election results here in the US. This has been good therapy. Thank you Woody. Love your spirit. Wishing you and your family only the best.
What a beautiful life. A happy carefree and productive childhood. Thank you for sharing. Real family values, parents that have time investing in raising their own children, teaching useful skills and how well it affected this young man. I wish they were my neighbours.
Thank you for this documentary. We homeschool. It just made us feel that we are on the right path. Thank you for sharing your story with us Woody.
THANK-YOU 🎉.. so helpful to see what's out there, alternatives, choices etc. Well done, to everyone involved 👍🏾 🩷
What a sweet kid. he and others like him will change the way we see and feel into the world, as ourselves
I love this so much. What an absolutely awesome kid.
He reminds me a lot of my partner who grew up in rural Vic, spend his childhood riding around the mountains and doing similar stuff and I have to say he’s become the most amazing adult because of all of these skills and this sort of upbringing.