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Episode 27: What is Strewing? Peeling Back the Layers of Intention, Connection and Practice
Have you heard of strewing? Is it something you actively do? We really enjoyed having Kendel from @spark.to.flame.homelearning join us for a conversation about the more nuanced aspects of strewing. There was a lot more to discuss than we first imagined. We’d love if you’d have a listen!
We Discuss:
Keeping track of the things we’ve shared with our kids as a way of seeing the fullness of what’s happening in our lives
Strewing as active, thoughtful and intentional but without attached expectations
Strewing as scattering seeds and fertilizing ground – enriching the environment
How terms and words can feel like they come with a set of rules
Spontaneous strewing
Inviting our kids into our interests as well
How strewing can offer comfort and practicality if parents are newer to homeschooling or not using a curriculum
That strewing is both simple and complex
Strewing as a fun, enjoyable practice
How all parents living in connection with their kids are likely doing some form of strewing without necessarily having a name for it
Digitally documenting the things we share and strew and do
Strewing as something that can be shared with family just even as a way to show what we’ve been up to
Strewing as connected to our children’s love languages
Sharing ideas with people of all ages as a form of strewing
Strewing for the purpose of connecting and sharing rather than for a learning goal
Differentiating between the delight-directed learning of curating around a child’s interest to cover certain subjects versus authentically offering something with no strings attached
How some things might be seen as objectively educational or academic
Sneaky or stealth learning – manipulation versus autonomy of choice
Whether there’s such a thing as a strewing “fail” and if so, how we might define that
How there can be room to share our thoughts without manipulating the situation and turning things into a lesson or our own agenda
Being connected and observant as a way of knowing when we might be pushing our kids beyond what they’re comfortable with
That it’s helpful to remember that the world has so many opportunities rather than coming at things from a scarcity mindset
Trust in us as having a lot to do with how kids feel about what we offer
Not feeling absolute or time-limited about what we offer – something may be enjoyed at another time
The vast difference in children’s responses and warm-up time – a “maybe” can mean completely different things from different children
Creating a safe and welcoming environment for kids to join things if they are self-conscious or apprehensive – the line between being strategically supportive and manipulative
Whole family strewing
Modeling being a curious person
Creating an atmosphere as a form of strewing just by including things of interest to us or others
That we can offer and include things we would like to in order to add richness to the atmosphere – it doesn’t all have to be child-led
Sensory strewing!
Expanding our ideas of what’s important
That diving into a child’s interest too intensely can actually hamper it or at least hamper their willingness to share
Being upfront about the time commitment and intensity of what we’re offering if it’s a bigger thing – a volunteer job or theatre opportunity, sports team and noticing when it’s something we’d like them to do because it would feel good to us
What kids’ interpretation of an activity or commitment is
Supporting our kids’ developing sense of self and consent
Low cost strewing ideas (so many interesting things came up!)
Accepting and leaning into ideas from extended family, friends and neighbours
Resources:
Strewing: Definition and Suggestions – Sandra Dodd
The Gardener and the Carpenter – Alison Gopnick
What to Do When Strewing is Rejected- Stories of an Unschooling Family
When Our Help and Strewing Are Rejected – Stories of an Unschooling Family
Love Languages for Children – Dr. Gary Chapman
Episode 15: Homeschooling Community-Finding, Sustaining and How it Evolves – Everlearning