Pennsylvania
Dan and Kai: Podcast Partners
With mics checked, notes prepped, and headphones donned, Dan and his nine-year-old son, Kai, hit “record” for another episode of their podcast, Unschooling with Kai.
Starting a podcast was one of the first things Kai wanted to do after transitioning out of the progressive preschool where Dan served as Education Coordinator. With the time and freedom that independent meaningful learning provided, he was able to do just that—and let curiosity drive his learning.
You gonna count me in? Three, two, one, go.”
Dan & Kai
Each episode focuses on one of Kai’s many varied and unique interests—from tardigrades (commonly known as water bears) to skateboarding to Japan to military cargo airplanes and more.
“…when I gave him his license to do what he wanted, it was like a partnership that we wound up having.””
Dan
The duo use YouTube, library books, nature, daily conversations, other podcasts, and the internet to answer burning questions about Kai’s current topics of interest.
One of Kai’s favorite places to learn is outside in nature with his father.
To me, learning is fun.”
Kai
The pair have held the inaugural “Stuffed Animal Olympics” on their trampoline, going for gold with their own imaginative stunts.
They watch C-17 and C-130 military cargo planes fly overhead and then review the FlightRadar24 app for ground speed, altitude, and flight paths.
And the pair explore the neighborhood on bicycles or skateboards, examining their journeys through the satellite view of Google Maps once returning home.
But more than anything, Kai loves to build Legos. The freedom and flexibility of unschooling has afforded him the time to fill his entire basement with his own Lego creations.
With unschooling, I can learn about a bunch of things at once. And I can stop whenever I want. I’m free to get the content I want from who I want when I want and however it works for me.”
Kai on the things he can learn through independent meaningful learning
The more Kai learns about the world, the more doors open for him to find what he is interested in.
Now self-directed, Dan and Kai get to explore interests more deeply, taking their time and letting ideas marinate.
Dan and Kai have built a strong foundation rooted in partnership through independent meaningful learning.
Kai went hands on while learning geography, physics, engineering, biology, language arts–you name it.
Dan serves as a creative collaborator, companion, and mentor in Kai’s learning journey, which has allowed him to view Kai as an equal. They share a passion for learning through living.
With another episode of Unschooling with Kai wrapped, the co-hosts contemplate topics for the next one. Knowing Kai’s imaginative spirit, the possibilities are endless.
Ready to explore independent meaningful learning?
We’re here to help you take the next step.
Our Getting Started series covers the basics, answers key questions, and helps you take the first steps toward learning in a way that feels right for your family.