Matador Network's Blog, page 892

Portugal residency during COVID-19

In a public health crisis, migrants are among the most at risk. Since they don’t have full access to the healthcare system, they have a greater chance of not seeking medical help when needed and perhaps spreading that illness to others. To solve this problem, Portugal is temporarily granting migrants and asylum seekers with pending residency application permanent resident rights, thereby giving them full access to the country’s healthcare system until July 1, according to Reuters.

The council explained that the decision was made in order to reduce public health risks for the applicants and border agents who are still taking in appointments at the immigration offices.

“People should not be deprived of their rights to health and public service just because their application has not yet been processed,” said Claudia Veloso, spokeswoman for the Ministry of Internal Affairs, to Reuters.

The full citizenship status grants access to public services such as healthcare, welfare benefits, bank accounts, and work and rental contracts.


More like this: Airbnb is offering free housing to 100,000 COVID-19 responders

The post Portugal grants migrants and asylum seekers permanent resident rights during the coronavirus outbreak appeared first on Matador Network.

Getty museum home art challenge

The J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles wants you to remain inspired by art even during your time in self-isolation. So, on March 25, the museum sent out a tweet asking individuals to recreate their favorite works of art using everyday household items. And people have stepped up to the challenge.

We challenge you to recreate a work of art with objects (and people) in your home.

Different types of Asian broth

While watching reruns of Chopped recently, I encountered a moment that made my skin crawl. Bear in mind, this is not my typical reaction to Chopped, a show that normally, despite its extremely chaotic energy, helps me relax. But not on that day. One of the chefs opened her basket and announced to the camera that she would be preparing what she called an “Asian broth.” I had to hit pause on the episode and take a deep breath.

There is no such thing as Asian broth. There are 14 countries in East and Southeast Asia, home to a population of more than 655 million people. (Technically, there are 48 countries in Asia altogether, including the South and Western Asian countries of India, Armenia, and Afghanistan, but I won’t be covering those today.) The flavors and ingredients featured in each individual cuisine are as diverse as the continent.

In the case of the offending Chopped chef (who, if I were to give her the benefit of the doubt, was probably in a rush and not thinking clearly), I suspect that she meant to prepare a Thai broth using lemongrass, soy sauce, and chilies. Still, it’s a curiously narrow-minded mistake for a chef to make, though not an uncommon one. Top Chef has a long history of (mostly white) chefs describing their cooking styles and dishes as just “Asian.” This over-simplification is not limited to reality TV chefs. The American palate has grown used to pad thai and lo mein, limiting our understanding of the diversity at the core of Asian cuisine (itself not a very useful term) — sometimes to the point of outright racism. Especially in Chinese cooking, unfamiliar dishes and ingredients are cast as unhealthy, smelly, and, according to numerous travel blogs that we’re not going to link here, “disgusting” (attitudes which have only been exacerbated during the coronavirus pandemic).

Of course, not every American, and certainly not this particular Chopped chef, approaches Asian people with such contempt. There is nonetheless an underlying perception that Asian culture is mysterious to Westerners, and therefore it’s easy to talk about as though it is homogenous. The shorthand some culinary-minded people use hardly does justice to the breadth of dishes each country serves — even if some of them, noodle dishes being one example, look alike.

When it comes to soups in particular, it can be easy to generalize. The flavors in Asian soups popular in the United States — phở, miso soup, and tom yum, for example — have distinct similarities, which might account for some of the confusion. Red chilies, soy sauce, garlic, cilantro, scallions, lemongrass, bean sprouts, and lime, among other ingredients, form the basis for the pungent, spicy, umami, and sometimes even tangy broths of East and Southeast Asia. However, the diversity of soups treasured in cuisines throughout Asia far outweighs the similarities.

Different types of “Asian broth”

Photo: GPritchettPhoto/Shutterstock

Most countries in Asia feature some variation on soup in their cuisines, and, especially when it comes to protein and spices, many ingredients overlap.

For instance, in Jakarta, Indonesia, where my father’s family is from, soto ayam (chicken and vermicelli noodles in broth flavored with tumeric) is just one soup of choice. Foods that are popular in Indonesia tend to have an equivalent in Singapore and Malaysia.

There are differences, however, even in these equivalents. Laksa (a coconut milk-based prawn and tofu soup spiced with sambal oelek, turmeric, and fish sauce) is more popular in Malaysia. The Thai people have their own take on a coconut milk-based broth called tom kha gai that’s flavored with kaffir lime leaves, mushrooms, galangal, and lemongrass.

You’ve heard of phở, but what about bún bò Huế? The latter features a rich broth made from boiled beef bones and beef shank and is seasoned with chili oil to give it a deep red color. These two are just a couple of the many soups popular in Vietnam. Meanwhile, one of the most beloved dishes in Filipino cuisine is sinigang. Sinigang is famous for its sour broth that’s flavored with pork and the crucial ingredient: tamarind.

Move away from Southeast Asia, and you’ll find a buffet of soups that looks entirely different. In the Sichuan region of China, fiery hot pot is spiced with whole red chilies and Sichuan peppercorns. In Korea, many soups, called guk or jang depending on the type, are considered comfort food dishes. Yukgaejang (spicy beef soup), for instance, is seasoned with scallions, red chili flakes, garlic, gochujang (red chili paste), and a special kind of soy sauce used primarily in soup called guk ganjang.

In Japan, there’s ramen and miso soup of course, but there’s also suimono, which is a Japanese clear soup that’s flavored, depending on the recipe, with kelp, tofu, mushrooms, or soy sauce. There’s also kenchin-jiru, a root-vegetable-based soup probably invented by Buddhist monks.

I could keep going for the length of a novel, but you get the idea. The term “Asian broth” flattens a cuisine rich in history and delicious, life-sustaining ingredients. It takes more time and effort (in the form of research, tasting, and cooking yourself) to understand the sometimes subtle and other times extreme differences in the many different types of soups and broth popular on the Asian continent, but it’s worth it to try. Bringing more specificity to our language respects the very different cultures from which these dishes originate, and honors the people who have been cooking and eating them for thousands of years.


More like this: 7 noodle soups to obsess over that aren’t ramen or pho

The post There is no such thing as Asian broth appeared first on Matador Network.

Abbey Road crosswalk repainted

It isn’t often that major cities see such a lull of foot traffic that they can repaint crosswalks without interruption, but London is taking advantage of the coronavirus lockdown to do just that. The crosswalk across London’s Abbey Road, made famous by the cover of The Beatles’ 1969 Abbey Road album, had been fading due to the high volume of tourists regularly traversing it, but it just got a fresh new coat of paint.

That odd fluke when you turn up to photograph an empty #abbeyroad and stumble across a team refreshing the iconic zebra crossing. @thebeatles @GettyImagesNews pic.twitter.com/RiW0NfJBeE

— Leon Neal (@tabascokid) March 24, 2020

The crosswalk was the first of its kind to receive Grade II-listed status for “cultural and historical importance,” and even has its own live webcam.

According to a spokesperson for Westminster City Council, “This is a very busy zebra crossing and we repainted the line markings to ensure visibility and increased safety for drivers and pedestrians. Our contractors follow government advice on limiting the spread of covid-19, including social distancing and hand washing.”

Although made possible by unfortunate events, the crosswalk’s repainting actually comes in a timely fashion. Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr just celebrated the 50th anniversary of Abbey Road last September with a deluxe reissue of the best-selling album.


More like this: Two puppies ran free in a closed aquarium, and the video is adorable

The post Famous Abbey Road crosswalk is being repainted during the coronavirus lockdown appeared first on Matador Network.

Best cannabis dispensaries LA

When you think about a visit to Los Angeles, top attractions like the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the La Brea Tar Pits likely come to mind. But more and more tourists are heading to LA to enjoy its ever-expanding selection of marijuana dispensaries since recreational sales started in early 2018.

Whether it’s your first time visiting a dispensary or you’re a high-end connoisseur, the City of Angels won’t disappoint. (Though if you’re a first timer, be sure to know the basics before walking in.) No matter which part of this giant metropolis you plan to visit, you’re sure to find a cannabis dispensary nearby.

These are the best dispensaries in LA for every type of cannabis consumer.

For those looking to learn: Herbarium

Photo: Herbarium/Facebook

Herbarium is a sleek and modern dispensary that’s located off Santa Monica Boulevard in the heart of Hollywood. And, despite its trendy address, you won’t find an ounce of pretense at this pot shop. On the contrary, Herbarium’s motto, “Educate. Advocate. Elevate.” is evident from the minute you walk in the door. This dispensary’s staff is highly trained and prepared to educate customers on a variety of topics. And they provide curated and customized one-on-one service.

Whether you’re curious about local laws, medical applications of both THC and CBD, or just enjoy the recreational use of cannabis, this shop’s budtenders are happy to help.

Where: 979 N La Brea Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90038

For the laid-back consumer: CAC Venice

CAC Venice opened for medical consumers in 2005, making it the oldest legal dispensary in Los Angeles. This family collective and haven for cannabis users is one of the most laid-back options in the city. And, despite trendy new weed stores popping up all around, its chill vibe hasn’t changed much since opening day. CAC offers a quiet and casual atmosphere, plus a friendly and super approachable staff, making it a top pick for low-key shoppers, local beach bums, surfers, and new users.

CAC offers one of the area’s most extensive assortments of edibles, too. The wide selection of drinks, gummies, and snacks includes plenty of vegan, sugar-free, and gluten-free options.

Where: 122 Lincoln Blvd #204, Venice, CA 90291

For the suburban smoker: The High Note

Photo: The High Note/Facebook

With locations in Culver City and East LA, The High Note is one of the best suburban options in Los Angeles. This dispensary is known for its whimsical atmosphere and Prohibition-themed ambience. You enter through a sliding bookshelf secret passageway to get to the beautiful showroom decorated with rich wood and exposed brick.

When it comes to shopping at The High Note, a trendy interior and fun shopping experience aren’t the only benefits. This dispensary is famous for its knowledgable budtenders. Plus, it sports a massive menu catering to the curious, the connoisseur, and everyone in between.

Where: 5277 W Jefferson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016 (Culver City), and 5359 Valley Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90032 (East LA)

For those who prefer boutiques: Buds & Roses

If you’re looking for a boutique cannabis shopping experience, Buds & Roses is your best bet. This dispensary values quality over quantity, and displays its goods in a pint-sized showroom packed with only the best cannabis products. Guaranteed one-on-one service and the carefully curated selection make it easy to find exactly what you’re shopping for. It’s easy to see why Buds & Roses has such a cult following.

This dispensary’s other claims to fame are its house-grown clones by Purple City Genetics and award-winning Veganics cannabis strains. Whether you’d rather grab and go or grow your own, Buds & Roses has you covered.

Where: 13047 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604

For those who like farm-fresh meals with their cannabis: Original Cannabis Cafe

Photo: Original Cannabis Cafe/Facebook

As its name implies, Original Cannabis Cafe is the very first cannabis cafe in the United States. Guests at this restaurant can kick back and relax on the patio, enjoy a farm-fresh meal, and make a selection or two from the extensive marijuana menu. Pre-rolled joints, small edibles, cannabis-infused beverages, and bud by the gram are all available. This concept offers tourists and locals the chance to experience cannabis in a social, restaurant-style atmosphere. Solo travelers will enjoy hanging out at the bar or social window and making a new friend or two.

If you’re new to the idea of recreational cannabis use, this cafe’s flower hosts will happily make menu recommendations and guide your experience.

Where: 1201 N La Brea Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90038

For those who want options on a budget: The W.E.E.D.

Established in 2006, the Wellness Earth Energy Dispensary has a die-hard local following. This pot shop’s massive and well-lit showroom floor is easy to navigate for independent shoppers. But, it’s also carefully tended by a team of compassionate and helpful budtenders. It almost feels like a trip to a very friendly pharmacy, and its vast selection of cannabis products will impress even the most experienced of users.

If you’re shopping on a budget, you’ll love this dispensary’s daily specials. A weekday happy hour, discounts for new customers, and exclusive daily deals on Instagram make this one of the most affordable options on our list.

Where: 11557 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604

For those looking for a high-end experience: STIIIZY DTLA

Photo: Stiiizy/Facebook

This isn’t just a dispensary; it’s an immersive cannabis experience and a visit to a high-end art gallery rolled into one. STIIIZY DTLA is one of the city’s most modern marijuana vendors, and is outfitted with interactive and visual art installations for a unique aesthetic and ambience. There’s a truly massive selection, including some of the most premium pot products in all of Los Angeles.

While you’re shopping, be sure to keep your eyes open for affordable and exclusive STIIIZY brand merchandise, especially the famous vaporizers. And, if you’re new to recreational cannabis use, pick up one of the “starter kits” for a quick crash course and basic supplies.

Where: 728 E Commercial St, Los Angeles, CA 90012


More like this: The 5 best cities in the US for a cannabis-inspired vacation

The post LA’s best recreational cannabis dispensaries for every type of consumer appeared first on Matador Network.

Cruises with guests with covid-19

A cruise ship bound for Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is carrying four passengers who have died from the coronavirus. According to a March 29, 2020, update from the Holland American Lines, currently 73 guests and 116 crew members out of the 1,048 passengers have reported flu-like symptoms aboard Zaandam. Two have tested positive for COVID-19.

After a screening, healthy guests were transferred on another Holland American Line ship, Rotterdam, on March 29. Currently, there are 797 guests and 645 crew on Rotterdam.

Both ships have transitioned through the Panama canal and on their way to Florida together. They are expected to dock in Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday.

Zaandam had departed from Buenos Aires on March 7 and was supposed to end at San Antonio, Chile, on March 21.

Guests have not been on shore since March 14 in Punta Arenas, Chile. They have been self-isolating since March 22.

According to CNN, Zaandam was docked off the coast of Panama for days. The ship has been denied entry from several ports in South America.

The coronavirus outbreak caused the cruise line to suspend operations for 30 days.


More like this: Italian mayors are losing it and yelling at people for ignoring lockdown rules

The post Four dead, nearly 200 with flu-like symptoms on cruise ship en route to Florida appeared first on Matador Network.

Cruises with guests with covid-19

A cruise ship bound for Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is carrying four passengers who have died from the coronavirus. According to a March 29, 2020, update from the Holland American Lines, currently 73 guests and 116 crew members out of the 1,048 passengers have reported flu-like symptoms aboard Zaandam. Two have tested positive for COVID-19.

After a screening, healthy guests were transferred on another Holland American Line ship, Rotterdam, on March 29. Currently, there are 797 guests and 645 crew on Rotterdam.

Both ships have transitioned through the Panama canal and on their way to Florida together. They are expected to dock in Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday.

Zaandam had departed from Buenos Aires on March 7 and was supposed to end at San Antonio, Chile, on March 21.

Guests have not been on shore since March 14 in Punta Arenas, Chile. They have been self-isolating since March 22.

According to CNN, Zaandam was docked off the coast of Panama for days. The ship has been denied entry from several ports in South America.

The coronavirus outbreak caused the cruise line to suspend operations for 30 days.


More like this: Italian mayors are losing it and yelling at people for ignoring lockdown rules

The post Four dead, nearly 200 with flu-like symptoms on cruise ship en route to Florida appeared first on Matador Network.

Unschooling education method

Today’s pandemic has left families’ lives in upheaval, and many parents are scrambling for new ways of life inside the walls of lockdown. Suddenly, we have to be super-parents capable of working, housekeeping, and even educating our kids 24/7. For some, the biggest hardship may be the unprecedented arrival of forced homeschooling. Starting with that mountain of assignments and requirements, followed by the rigid schedule to fit it all in, it may have become clear rather quickly that public school programs weren’t meant for home.

If trying to do everything the way teachers do it simply isn’t working, and you have the flexibility to try something different, consider a thought-provoking alternative known as unschooling. To explain unschooling, we should clarify what it’s not. Despite that dancing little “un” at the beginning of the world, it’s not the reverse of education, anti-school, teacher hate, or stopping the act of learning.

It’s simply a re-evaluation of the schooling thought process. It’s the idea that children don’t need a standardized curriculum, or age- and grade-based divisions, to learn. They just need to love to learn. And that starts with loving the topics they are learning about. Regardless of age, we all learn best when we focus on things that we enjoy, or which naturally interest us.

How we chose unschooling

Our family stumbled upon unschooling more than five years ago when our oldest was just two years old. Although she was barely a toddler, we were told to get her IQ tested to initiate early school enrollment after she scored “too high” on her well-baby visits. With her showing advanced cognitive, emotional, and physical functions, we were pushed to do something extra to help her excel and ensure that she could live up to her potential.

We immediately knew that kindergarten at age three would turn our world upside down, ripping a hole in our quiet, country life. We hadn’t been planning for school yet and were enjoying the baby years with our toddler and her infant brother. Reluctantly, we started through the motions anyway, not entirely sure what else we could or should do. While we opted to pass on the IQ test, we did attempt to enroll our two-year-old in preschool and dance classes. When, fortunately, neither came to fruition, we found our senses and started looking for alternatives.

My husband had been looking back at his school years in Ecuador at the American School of Quito, which replicated US classrooms, and they weren’t all fond memories. He was concerned about early school feeling like a punishment rather than a reward. Would our daughter’s childhood be lost beneath books and tests, schedules, and untimely pressures? This perspective drove me to search for an alternative solution that would let our daughter flourish without turning her into a robot.

After several weeks of researching, I found a Facebook group called Worldschooling™. At that time there were about 10,000 global members who had removed their kids from traditional schooling. Most were practicing variations of unschooling, and it only took a few hours to realize that this might be what we’d been searching for. A lot of research, fact-checking, and book reading would eventually solidify our initial inklings that unschooling was indeed the right path for our family.

A history of teaching based on interest

Photo: digitalskillet/Shutterstock

The first step in mastering the methods of unschooling, also known as interest-based learning, is to realize that interest isn’t something that can be taught. No one can decide for you what ignites your soul and inspires you to learn, or what actions will turn your passion into a lifelong project of satisfaction. And that goes for your kids, too. The unschooling ideals encourage us to refrain from trying to “teach” but instead give our children the freedom to teach us who they are.

The principles of interest-based learning are not new. “Emergent learning” is a variation of interest-based education used in preschools that embrace the Reggio Emilia approach, developed a half-century ago. These early-age schools typically don’t follow a predetermined curriculum and instead create classes based on the specific interests of each student group. If your children are very young and need to move onto education outside the home, a Reggio Emilia preschool could be a great follow up after unschooling during the pandemic.

Many children who begin at Regio Emilia preschools attend grade school at Montessori schools, which bridge the gap between top-down education and unschooling. Montessori principles include child-led education and independent learning with a heavy emphasis on natural learning and positivity. Negative feedback is discouraged. However, Montessori schools do use a curriculum, allow for teacher-guided education, and rely on regimented schedules. Most Montessori children go on to complete high school in a traditional school system.

Unschooling itself stems back to 1970, when John Holt coined the word to describe education removed from the typical system of learning and teaching — replaced by offering “the freedom for anyone, young or old, to choose why, what, when, how, and from whom to learn things.” Holt developed this system after working for many years in the school system where he saw that “fear of failure, fear of appearing stupid, and fear of criticism actually inhibited learning.” It’s not uncommon for unschooling to be practiced in entirety from kindergarten through high school. Children who follow this path are usually offered placement exams that allow them to enter college or trade school when desired.

How to begin unschooling

Offering a break from the traditional education cycle, unschooling is a chance for kids to discover their own ways of learning both joyously and purposefully through real-life scenarios, play, and meaningful interactions. For many kids, the ability to embrace unschooling will mean closing the books entirely to allow the process of realigning with their innate self. Some won’t know what they are passionate about because they haven’t had the opportunity to mingle with this part of their inner self for many years. Others will know exactly what they’ve been missing out on and have only been waiting for someone to give them permission to act on it.

And then, there is the category of kids who are already doing what’s right for them. This might very well be a structured and methodical curriculum. If that is the case, don’t disturb them but resist the urge to control their learning experience. Allow them the chance to use the tools they already have but in their own time, order, and preference. Resist telling them how to learn and ask them how you can help.

So, what does all this mean? If your child wants to spend eight hours a day doing science experiments and would rather let the history book get dusty, let them. When your kid says they’d like to spend the next six weeks learning to play the guitar and forgetting the rest, let them. If your learner wants seven segmented, one-hour classes each day just like they’ve always had, empower them to reach this goal. When your child says they need a day, week, or month off… listen.

The easiest and simplest way to ease the burden of forced homeschooling is to recognize that each child is unique and to help them find the best way to learn. The only way to find this out is to ask them. What do they want to learn about? How would they like to go about investigating it? And, most importantly, how can you best support them?

Real unschooling families in action

A wonderful family to look to for guidance on how to help kids rediscover their passions, are Korp & South on Youtube. They are currently unschooling nine children between grade school and high school. The down-to-earth, realistic family goes in-depth on how they came to choose unschooling, even after stints with public school and traditional homeschooling.

To find other real families, the blog I’m Unschooled. Yes, I can write. is run by an adult who was unschooled. She not only testifies to the success of the unschooling philosophy but also provides a plethora of resources and often features families currently in the process. Additionally, A Look Into the World of Unschooling is an insightful documentary created by a high-school-aged unschooler that visits the pros and cons of unschooling from both his perspective and through the voices of numerous unschooling families. It doesn’t paint the unschooling world with rose-colored glasses but rather shows it in its reality.

Unschooling is a growing educational movement, supported by decades of social, psychological, and practical research plus the evidence of kids who thrive under this philosophy. To dive full hog into unschooling research, check out introductory books like How Children Learn by John Holt, Free to Learn by Peter Gray, and Dumbing Us Down by John Taylor Gatto.

Trust and living in the present

Photo: PV productions/Shutterstock

Straying from the norm is scary, especially when we’re talking about the future of our children. We can’t help but wonder what will happen if we don’t do what we are “supposed” to do and don’t force our kids to either. Be okay with being uncomfortable and give yourself permission to question systems previously accepted without hesitation.

Think of it this way. Every child removed from the formal education system right now has a chance to dictate the direction of their future — a future they want and that may serve them best. Let them embrace that opportunity.

Now is the time to put full trust in your kids. Trust that they will follow the path that is right for them. Believe that they will learn what they need to learn because they will naturally seek out the information necessary for growth. Trust is very powerful and spins a wondrous web of success when applied to education. Crumple up that curriculum (if that’s what they want), let them create their own to-do list, and watch the stress of homeschooling dissolve.

Whether the kids are missing preschool at age three, blissfully escaping second grade, or scratching their high school routine, the concept is the same. Give them a little time to reconnect with those old yearnings. Stop teaching them that there isn’t room in their schedule to follow their own passions. Stop letting them believe that success and happiness in life are equated with following the steps that were pre-determined for them.

When your kids do go back to school, the requirements for standardized curriculums will need to take into account disturbances caused by coronavirus. Not all families will have succeeded in teaching at home, and traditional educational systems will likely devise solutions to ensure no one is left behind. So in the event that unschooling doesn’t work for your family, don’t worry. The school system will pick up where it left off. Let the future take its course when it’s supposed to — in the future.

In the meantime, allow your family to take the opportunity to do something different, something that will greatly reduce the tension caused by a strict homeschooling schedule. Breed an environment that empowers all, naturally supports growth, and will inevitably bring you closer together.

Do this and they just might stop resisting you and homeschooling. Help them, support them, uplift them to learn about the things they’ve always wanted to learn. This is their chance. Let them surprise you.


More like this: Why we took our kids out of the classroom for world schooling

The post How to use the unschooling approach to ease the stress of homeschooling appeared first on Matador Network.

Unschooling education method

Today’s pandemic has left families’ lives in upheaval, and many parents are scrambling for new ways of life inside the walls of lockdown. Suddenly, we have to be super-parents capable of working, housekeeping, and even educating our kids 24/7. For some, the biggest hardship may be the unprecedented arrival of forced homeschooling. Starting with that mountain of assignments and requirements, followed by the rigid schedule to fit it all in, it may have become clear rather quickly that public school programs weren’t meant for home.

If trying to do everything the way teachers do it simply isn’t working, and you have the flexibility to try something different, consider a thought-provoking alternative known as unschooling. To explain unschooling, we should clarify what it’s not. Despite that dancing little “un” at the beginning of the world, it’s not the reverse of education, anti-school, teacher hate, or stopping the act of learning.

It’s simply a re-evaluation of the schooling thought process. It’s the idea that children don’t need a standardized curriculum, or age- and grade-based divisions, to learn. They just need to love to learn. And that starts with loving the topics they are learning about. Regardless of age, we all learn best when we focus on things that we enjoy, or which naturally interest us.

How we chose unschooling

Our family stumbled upon unschooling more than five years ago when our oldest was just two years old. Although she was barely a toddler, we were told to get her IQ tested to initiate early school enrollment after she scored “too high” on her well-baby visits. With her showing advanced cognitive, emotional, and physical functions, we were pushed to do something extra to help her excel and ensure that she could live up to her potential.

We immediately knew that kindergarten at age three would turn our world upside down, ripping a hole in our quiet, country life. We hadn’t been planning for school yet and were enjoying the baby years with our toddler and her infant brother. Reluctantly, we started through the motions anyway, not entirely sure what else we could or should do. While we opted to pass on the IQ test, we did attempt to enroll our two-year-old in preschool and dance classes. When, fortunately, neither came to fruition, we found our senses and started looking for alternatives.

My husband had been looking back at his school years in Ecuador at the American School of Quito, which replicated US classrooms, and they weren’t all fond memories. He was concerned about early school feeling like a punishment rather than a reward. Would our daughter’s childhood be lost beneath books and tests, schedules, and untimely pressures? This perspective drove me to search for an alternative solution that would let our daughter flourish without turning her into a robot.

After several weeks of researching, I found a Facebook group called Worldschooling™. At that time there were about 10,000 global members who had removed their kids from traditional schooling. Most were practicing variations of unschooling, and it only took a few hours to realize that this might be what we’d been searching for. A lot of research, fact-checking, and book reading would eventually solidify our initial inklings that unschooling was indeed the right path for our family.

A history of teaching based on interest

Photo: digitalskillet/Shutterstock

The first step in mastering the methods of unschooling, also known as interest-based learning, is to realize that interest isn’t something that can be taught. No one can decide for you what ignites your soul and inspires you to learn, or what actions will turn your passion into a lifelong project of satisfaction. And that goes for your kids, too. The unschooling ideals encourage us to refrain from trying to “teach” but instead give our children the freedom to teach us who they are.

The principles of interest-based learning are not new. “Emergent learning” is a variation of interest-based education used in preschools that embrace the Reggio Emilia approach, developed a half-century ago. These early-age schools typically don’t follow a predetermined curriculum and instead create classes based on the specific interests of each student group. If your children are very young and need to move onto education outside the home, a Reggio Emilia preschool could be a great follow up after unschooling during the pandemic.

Many children who begin at Regio Emilia preschools attend grade school at Montessori schools, which bridge the gap between top-down education and unschooling. Montessori principles include child-led education and independent learning with a heavy emphasis on natural learning and positivity. Negative feedback is discouraged. However, Montessori schools do use a curriculum, allow for teacher-guided education, and rely on regimented schedules. Most Montessori children go on to complete high school in a traditional school system.

Unschooling itself stems back to 1970, when John Holt coined the word to describe education removed from the typical system of learning and teaching — replaced by offering “the freedom for anyone, young or old, to choose why, what, when, how, and from whom to learn things.” Holt developed this system after working for many years in the school system where he saw that “fear of failure, fear of appearing stupid, and fear of criticism actually inhibited learning.” It’s not uncommon for unschooling to be practiced in entirety from kindergarten through high school. Children who follow this path are usually offered placement exams that allow them to enter college or trade school when desired.

How to begin unschooling

Offering a break from the traditional education cycle, unschooling is a chance for kids to discover their own ways of learning both joyously and purposefully through real-life scenarios, play, and meaningful interactions. For many kids, the ability to embrace unschooling will mean closing the books entirely to allow the process of realigning with their innate self. Some won’t know what they are passionate about because they haven’t had the opportunity to mingle with this part of their inner self for many years. Others will know exactly what they’ve been missing out on and have only been waiting for someone to give them permission to act on it.

And then, there is the category of kids who are already doing what’s right for them. This might very well be a structured and methodical curriculum. If that is the case, don’t disturb them but resist the urge to control their learning experience. Allow them the chance to use the tools they already have but in their own time, order, and preference. Resist telling them how to learn and ask them how you can help.

So, what does all this mean? If your child wants to spend eight hours a day doing science experiments and would rather let the history book get dusty, let them. When your kid says they’d like to spend the next six weeks learning to play the guitar and forgetting the rest, let them. If your learner wants seven segmented, one-hour classes each day just like they’ve always had, empower them to reach this goal. When your child says they need a day, week, or month off… listen.

The easiest and simplest way to ease the burden of forced homeschooling is to recognize that each child is unique and to help them find the best way to learn. The only way to find this out is to ask them. What do they want to learn about? How would they like to go about investigating it? And, most importantly, how can you best support them?

Real unschooling families in action

A wonderful family to look to for guidance on how to help kids rediscover their passions, are Korp & South on Youtube. They are currently unschooling nine children between grade school and high school. The down-to-earth, realistic family goes in-depth on how they came to choose unschooling, even after stints with public school and traditional homeschooling.

To find other real families, the blog I’m Unschooled. Yes, I can write. is run by an adult who was unschooled. She not only testifies to the success of the unschooling philosophy but also provides a plethora of resources and often features families currently in the process. Additionally, A Look Into the World of Unschooling is an insightful documentary created by a high-school-aged unschooler that visits the pros and cons of unschooling from both his perspective and through the voices of numerous unschooling families. It doesn’t paint the unschooling world with rose-colored glasses but rather shows it in its reality.

Unschooling is a growing educational movement, supported by decades of social, psychological, and practical research plus the evidence of kids who thrive under this philosophy. To dive full hog into unschooling research, check out introductory books like How Children Learn by John Holt, Free to Learn by Peter Gray, and Dumbing Us Down by John Taylor Gatto.

Trust and living in the present

Photo: PV productions/Shutterstock

Straying from the norm is scary, especially when we’re talking about the future of our children. We can’t help but wonder what will happen if we don’t do what we are “supposed” to do and don’t force our kids to either. Be okay with being uncomfortable and give yourself permission to question systems previously accepted without hesitation.

Think of it this way. Every child removed from the formal education system right now has a chance to dictate the direction of their future — a future they want and that may serve them best. Let them embrace that opportunity.

Now is the time to put full trust in your kids. Trust that they will follow the path that is right for them. Believe that they will learn what they need to learn because they will naturally seek out the information necessary for growth. Trust is very powerful and spins a wondrous web of success when applied to education. Crumple up that curriculum (if that’s what they want), let them create their own to-do list, and watch the stress of homeschooling dissolve.

Whether the kids are missing preschool at age three, blissfully escaping second grade, or scratching their high school routine, the concept is the same. Give them a little time to reconnect with those old yearnings. Stop teaching them that there isn’t room in their schedule to follow their own passions. Stop letting them believe that success and happiness in life are equated with following the steps that were pre-determined for them.

When your kids do go back to school, the requirements for standardized curriculums will need to take into account disturbances caused by coronavirus. Not all families will have succeeded in teaching at home, and traditional educational systems will likely devise solutions to ensure no one is left behind. So in the event that unschooling doesn’t work for your family, don’t worry. The school system will pick up where it left off. Let the future take its course when it’s supposed to — in the future.

In the meantime, allow your family to take the opportunity to do something different, something that will greatly reduce the tension caused by a strict homeschooling schedule. Breed an environment that empowers all, naturally supports growth, and will inevitably bring you closer together.

Do this and they just might stop resisting you and homeschooling. Help them, support them, uplift them to learn about the things they’ve always wanted to learn. This is their chance. Let them surprise you.


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Best films set in Europe

Films have the power to whisk you away to far-flung corners of the globe, without you ever having to leave your couch. But as well as offering a bit of entertainment and fuelling our desire to travel, they also remind us that the world on our own doorstep is not to be overlooked. From sun-warmed Italian villages to the bleak hills of Cumbria, these 10 films show off the undeniable beauty of Europe. Some are slices of pure escapism while others remind us that it’s not the place that’s important so much as who we’re with.

1. Call Me by Your Name — Italy

Photo: IMDB

This idyllic depiction of Italian life has everything you’ve ever wanted from a Mediterranean-set romance: Think al-fresco dining, old cobbled piazzas and plenty of languorous sunbathing. Set in northern Italy in the ‘80s, this coming of age love story stars Timothée Chalamet as a boy who falls for a slightly older man (Armie Hammer) over the course of one long, hot summer. Watch it for scenes of Lake Garda and the timeless villages around Lombardy, where the pair spend their days riding bicycles and flirting in the sunshine.

2. Midsommar — Sweden/Hungary

Photo: IMDB

Ari Aster took advantage of Scandinavia’s famous midnight sun to spook viewers in Midsommar, his nightmarish fairytale horror — not that that put anyone off. The film’s dappled meadows, rustic farmhouses, and fir-filled forests made us all want to visit Sweden. Most scenes of the Hårga village were actually filmed just outside of Budapest, Hungary, but the village does exist (though the rituals depicted in the film do not) as does Hälsingland, the region of Sweden in which most of Midsommar takes place. In fact, the folk art that features in almost every shot of the film exists too: There are several decorated farmhouses in the area that make up a protected UNESCO World Heritage site.

3. To Catch a Thief — France

Photo: IMDB

For turquoise waters and plunging coastlines depicted in glorious technicolor, look no further than Alfred Hitchcock’s To Catch a Thief. Set on the Côte d’Azur (Monaco, Nice, and Cannes), this slick thriller is about a retired burglar who falls for a Rivera socialite while a string of robberies leaves him fighting to clear his name. Expect suspense, seduction, and ‘50s-style innuendos — like the camera cutting away to a fireworks display during a moment of passion. For more sunny French sights on film (but with a downbeat feel), Éric Rohmer’s The Green Ray follows a restless soul as she drifts between The Alps and Biarritz. A must for anyone who’s ever felt the holiday blues.

4. Withnail & I — England

Photo: IMDB

While the film opens in a dreary flat in Camden Town, the two title characters soon make their way over to Cumbria, Northern England, to get away from it all and find “the finest wines available to humanity.” The desolate hills and rain-whipped farmhouses make the perfect setting for the debauched pair’s melancholic expedition. Despite being set in Penrith, Crow Crag, the cottage where the pair stay is actually Sleddale Hall, near Shap in Cumbria. Fans of the film can even organize a tour of the inside, although the room where Uncle Monty tries his luck with Marwood was filmed elsewhere.

5. Porco Rosso — Croatia

Photo: IMDB

Porco Rosso is an early animation from Studio Ghibli’s legendary Hayo Miyazaki. Most of the story takes place in the Adriatic Sea, between Italy and the former Yugoslavia — though much of the lovingly hand-drawn coastline resembles Croatia’s Dalmatian coast. Porco himself is an air ace who’s inexplicably been turned into a pig who plies his trade as a bounty hunter. He spends his days swooping his red seaplane over glittering waters and drinking wine in an idyllic sheltered cove that looks a little like Stiniva Beach on the island of Vis — which film fans might be interested to know is the setting of Mamma Mia 2.

6. Sleep Furiously — Wales

Photo: IMDB

Gideon Koppel’s documentary is a love letter to an ailing farming community in Trefeurig, Wales. Koppel’s camera picks out the small, unshowy beauty of village life: the smooth lines of plowed fields, the shape of flapping sheets on a washing, a small congregation of people singing hymns in a sunlit church. Despite the stunning beauty of the landscape, there’s a lurking suspicion that the demise of this community is inevitable — though it’s also a celebration of the resilience of the people who keep the village and its traditions alive.

7. The “Before” trilogy — Vienna, France, Greece

Photo: IMDB

Richard Linklater’s minimalistic stroll-and-talk trilogy starts with Before Sunrise, a sweet indie film that follows Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Céline (Julie Delpy), a young French woman, who meet on a train and disembark together in Vienna. As the sun sets, they spend the night walking the cobbled streets, philosophizing and falling in love. Vienna is as much a character in the film as Jesse and Celine, as is Paris nine years later in Before Sunset and finally Messenia in Greece in Before Midnight. Their story is a perfect example of how travel has the power to make us reassess our own lives.

8. Roman Holiday — Italy

Photo: IMDB

A rom-com for the ages, this monochrome classic stars Audrey Hepburn as a princess on tour in Rome and Gregory Peck as a journalist who’s just missed his interview slot with her. That evening, he lets a beautiful young woman who’s had a little too much to drink rest in his apartment. The following day, HRH cancels her appointments due to “sickness.” Coincidence? Nope! The journalist gives her majesty a grand old tour of Rome, which serves as the perfect backdrop for their burgeoning romance. For more Italy on film (but with a bit more bite), check out Sergio Leone’s “Dollars” trilogy, featuring the acclaimed The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.

9. In Bruges — Belgium

Photo: IMDB

“Bruges is a shit hole,” complains hitman Ray (Colin Farrell) at the beginning of this cult classic, before eventually succumbing to its charms. It’s easy to see why: This World Heritage site is filled with impossibly picturesque cobbled streets, chocolate box buildings, and a peaceful canal that winds its way through the city. Visit during Christmas, and you’ll get to follow in his footsteps and wander underneath masses of twinkling lights. Die-hard fans of the movie can even download an In Bruges map, which guides you around the filming locations.

10. Wings of Desire — Germany

Photo: IMDB

Shot in stark black and white, Wim Wenders’ Wings of Desire reminds us that there’s beauty to be found in everyday life. The main character is an angel who wanders through Berlin, observing people and learning what it is to be human. As he watches the city-dwellers talking, going to work, feeling lonely, and falling in love, he yearns to give up his angel form and live among humans so he can experience life as they do. As well as being a poetic piece of cinema, it’s a romantic portrait of a divided Berlin in the late ‘80s, just two years before the Wall was pulled down. Watch it to see eerie, rubble-filled streets and Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds playing live in a smoky club.


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