Episode 161: Why "Unschooling" Could Be The Right Educational Style For Your Child

<p>My guest this week is <strong>Iris Chen</strong>, she's an <a href="https://untigering.com/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">author</a>, unschooling mom, deconstructing tiger parent, and founder of the<strong>untigering movement</strong>. As an advocate for <strong>peaceful parenting</strong> and <strong>educational freedom for children</strong>, her mission is to inspire generational and cultural transformation, especially among Asian communities. She spent 16 years living overseas in China, the land of the tiger parent, but now resides in her native California with her husband and two sons. </p> <p>In this episode, Iris and I discuss <strong>meeting the educational needs of all kids</strong>, including kids with special needs, in-non traditional ways. Specifically, with an educational model called <strong>unschooling</strong>, which is gaining in popularity in recent years. It’s important to raise awareness about different educational styles so that parents and <strong>children don’t feel stuck in their current school system</strong> and blindly follow whatever they are told. Thankfully there are many different educational styles that fit kids’ personalities, interests, and challenges better. Learn more about <a href= "https://untigering.com/">here</a>.</p> <p><strong>Episode Highlights</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">What is a Tiger parent?</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Equates to very strict Chinese parenting (but can also be a term for any strict parents)</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">A lot of rules, very authoritarian, high expectations, particularly in the area of academics</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">What is untigering?</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Moving away from very authoritarian, controlling, coercive parenting, but also redefining ideas about the value of formal educatio