Unschool & Homeschool

Homeschooling usually follows a structured curriculum at home, similar to school but in a more flexible setting. There are books, lessons, and often a fixed timetable—just run by the parents instead of teachers.

Unschooling is different. It’s not about following a syllabus—it’s about following the child. At PRAJA, we lean toward unschooling, where learning is guided by curiosity, interest, and life itself. Whether it’s farming, cooking, storytelling, or solving real-life problems, everything becomes a learning opportunity. There is no fixed format, because we believe learning is everywhere—not just in books or exams.

We don't say one is better than the other. It depends on the child, the family, and their comfort.

Because our children showed us that learning doesn’t begin with a textbook, nor end with a school bell. It happens all the time—on the farm, in the kitchen, during conversations, in quiet moments, in failure, and even in play.

We chose this path because we want our children to grow up knowing who they are, not just what to memorize. We value freedom, emotional awareness, curiosity, and real-world wisdom—and we saw that the traditional system often left little space for those.

We also believe children deserve their full childhood—to play freely, explore deeply, and be joyfully mischievous, without pressure to hit academic targets just to prove they’re “on track.” Childhood is not a checklist; it’s a season to soak in wonder.

Most importantly, we decided to let our children learn and express themselves in the language closest to their heart—their mother tongue, Marathi. We believe global languages have their place, but not at the cost of their native roots. Letting them think, dream, and express first in Marathi builds confidence, identity, and a deeper connection with their family and surroundings. 

And of course, we’re not claiming this is the perfect or only way. Every child is different. Every family is different. This is simply the way we chose—because it feels true to who we are.

This is a question we asked ourselves early on. The Indian Constitution guarantees the Right to Education under Article 21A, which was added through the 86th Amendment in 2002. It states that “the State shall provide free and compulsory education to all children between the ages of 6 and 14 years in such manner as the State may, by law, determine.”

Nowhere does it say that education must happen only in a formal school. The law ensures that every child has the right to learn, but it doesn’t restrict how that learning should happen. That gives families like ours the space to explore alternative paths like unschooling.

We stay informed, document our child’s learning journey, and remain open to options like NIOS (National Institute of Open Schooling) if needed. We believe in being honest and transparent—not just with others, but with ourselves. And if the legal landscape evolves, we’re ready to adapt while staying true to our values.

Through life—and play.

Math comes alive when we count seeds, measure compost, or plan a harvest. Science unfolds as we observe soil health, explore seasons, or build a compost pit. Language grows naturally through storytelling, conversations, reading together, and writing letters or signs on the farm.

But we also mindfully introduce modern tools—in ways that children enjoy and understand. For example, we explore chess to build logical thinking and focus. We introduce simple programming ideas and VR-based experiences, not as syllabus but as discovery—hands-on, curiosity-led, and age-appropriate.

We don’t push any subject. Instead, we create an environment rich with possibilities, and let learning follow interest. Books, conversations, tech tools—they’re all part of the toolkit, but the child leads the way, not the syllabus. 

This is our way of honoring their pace, their style, and their joy.  s.

Honestly, there’s no strict timetable—because childhood isn’t meant to run on a clock. But our days do have a natural flow. Mornings begin with simple routines: brushing, helping with small chores, sharing breakfast as a family. After that, the day opens up based on the child’s energy, mood, or curiosity.

Some days, they dive into imaginative play. Sometimes they pick up an idea—a question, a story, a task—and that sets off a journey of learning. We’ve tried various classes like swimming, chess, reading and writing sessions, even physical or creative activities, but these are occasional—not compulsory or daily. There’s no pressure to perform or complete a syllabus.

 Our goal is to give them a rich, low-pressure environment, where exploration is encouraged, not scheduled.

 When guidance is needed, we bring in facilitators—people who understand our values and help the child discover meaningful insights without turning it into a formal class. What matters is not how much they cover, but how deeply they connect.

This rhythm might feel unfamiliar—but for us, it feels natural. Because no two days—and no two children—are ever the same. 

We track progress through observation, dialogue, and reflection—not numbers.

We notice how they think, how they solve problems, how their curiosity changes over time. We keep notes, photos, drawings, or voice notes if we feel it helps us or them. The real progress is not "how many marks" but how much depth, how confident they feel, and how connected they are to what they’re learning.

It’s less about comparison, more about connection. 

At PRAJA, parents are not “teachers” in the traditional sense. We are companions, facilitators, and co-learners walking the journey with our children. We listen, observe, ask questions, and provide a rich environment for exploration—but we also grow and unlearn a lot ourselves. Because unschooling is not just about the child—it’s a transformation for the parents too.

But let’s be real. Patience is tested. Kids will resist, push limits, act wild—and that’s part of childhood. In those moments, we might raise our voices—not out of anger, but to set boundaries. We believe in gentle, conscious discipline, where we explain, model, and support—not control. Sometimes a firm tone is part of guiding—not suppressing.

Unschooling doesn’t mean letting everything go. In fact, we hold a strong anchor of values like respect, empathy, and responsibility. We teach our children to be kind, aware, and grounded—not just for themselves, but as future citizens who will shape society with purpose and strength.

So yes, we make space for freedom—but not at the cost of wisdom, safety, or mutual respect.

Social skills aren’t built only in classrooms—they grow through real relationships.

At PRAJA, we feel fortunate to have planned for two children. Their bond has been the richest space for learning how to share, care, fight, forgive, support, and stand up for each other. They teach each other daily—sometimes with love, sometimes through conflict—and both are important for growth.

And when we think back to our own childhoods, did we really worry about “socializing”? Most of our early learning happened at home—through siblings, cousins, neighbors, and unstructured play. Even if we went to school, our first role models and interactions were at home.

Social connection doesn’t need a school bell—it needs time, trust, and togetherness. We create that through daily life, community interactions, visiting families, and nature-filled experiences. Children naturally find their place when given the space to just be

 

This is a question we asked ourselves early on. The Indian Constitution guarantees the Right to Education under Article 21A, which was added through the 86th Amendment in 2002. It states that “the State shall provide free and compulsory education to all children between the ages of 6 and 14 years in such manner as the State may, by law, determine.”

Nowhere does it say that education must happen only in a formal school. The law ensures that every child has the right to learn, but it doesn’t restrict how that learning should happen. That gives families like ours the space to explore alternative paths like unschooling.

We stay informed, document our child’s learning journey, and remain open to options like NIOS (National Institute of Open Schooling) if needed. We believe in being honest and transparent—not just with others, but with ourselves. And if the legal landscape evolves, we’re ready to adapt while staying true to our values.

We use a mix of things, based on interest and context—books, puzzles, nature guides, interactive games, videos, craft supplies, basic tools, and yes, sometimes digital platforms.

But we also see daily life as a learning lab—farm work, cooking, fixing things, exploring nature, and talking to people around us.

When specific guidance is needed, we invite facilitators who align with our values and can nurture interest without enforcing pressure. The “tool” doesn’t matter as much as the intention and connection behind it 

We believe in freedom—with responsibility.

Freedom doesn’t mean chaos. It means trusting the child’s natural curiosity but also guiding them to be mindful of time, respect others, and take ownership of their choices. Structure appears where it's meaningful—like routines that support rhythm, or boundaries that ensure safety and respect.

We’re not anti-structure; we’re just pro-choice. And we constantly observe, reflect, and adapt.

We listen first. Instead of forcing, we try to connect the concept with real life. For example, if reading feels boring, we may read signs on a nature walk or make shopping lists together. If math feels dry, we might play board games or count seeds while farming.

Sometimes we involve a friend, a facilitator, or an older sibling to spark interest. And yes, if the child still resists, we give it time—but we don’t ignore it. Some learning just takes the right moment, and patience is a big part of this journey.

We’re not passive—we’re attentive. And we always find a way forward that respects the child and the skill.

For us, the farm is a living classroom—but not the only one. Since we don’t go to the farm daily, we’ve brought nature even closer through terrace gardening. Our children regularly observe, care for, and harvest vegetables right at home. They learn how to water plants, notice insects, and track how food grows—one seed at a time.

When we do visit the farm, they join in naturally—sowing seeds, digging soil, or feeding animals. These hands-on moments teach them about seasonal cycles, natural balance, and the effort behind every bite of food.

Whether on the terrace or in the field, nature is always present in our home—and our children grow with it.

We’ve explored many ideas—from Montessori to Waldorf to John Holt—not to follow them blindly, but to understand what aligns with our values. We read, listen, reflect, and use whatever is simple, affordable, and meaningful for us.

That said, we give more importance to Indian knowledge systems—our own Bharatiya roots. PRAJA resonates more with the Gurukul-style learning, where life itself was the classroom, and learning happened through observation, experience, storytelling, questioning, and relationship with nature.

We believe our children should grow with an understanding of dharma, gratitude, self-discipline, and cultural grounding—not just global exposure. It’s not about rejecting other ideas, but about starting from our own soil, and building upward.

We don’t follow one set method. We follow what feels right, true, and doable in our unique life. 

We prepare them by including them—every step of the way.

When we created PRAJA, we didn’t just make it for our children—we shaped it with them. The very name PRAJA comes from their initials and from the values we already live by. We involve them in real conversations and decisions. When they express their thoughts, we listen, reflect, and often adapt. That teaches them their voice matters—and that decisions are thoughtful, not top-down.

On the topic of money, we don’t avoid it or sugarcoat it. We explain that earning money is essential for living, but how we earn it matters even more. We teach them that income should come through ethical, honest, and meaningful work—not shortcuts, not manipulation. Farming, selling produce, building relationships—all of it shows them that integrity and value creation go hand-in-hand.

They learn how to speak, negotiate, observe adults interact, and slowly, they build their own grounded sense of responsibility—not just to themselves, but to the world around them.

To be frank, the real challenges aren’t just philosophical—they’re practical.

Explaining ourselves to society or trying to avoid comparisons was left behind the moment we chose this path. We don’t need to convince anyone anymore. The real test is finding the right options—facilitators, experiences, resources—that align with our values, are close enough to reach, and fit within a reasonable budget.

This isn’t always easy. A lot of time goes into researching, connecting with people, exploring alternatives, and trying things out. And honestly, some attempts fail. But we see that effort as part of our responsibility. It takes extra time, extra presence, and lots of learning on our side too.

We’re not trying to create a perfect unschooling model—we’re trying to live consciously within our limitations, and make meaningful choices that work for our family, one step at a time.

Yes, absolutely—but not as a fixed program or structured curriculum. PRAJA isn’t a school; it’s a living example of how one family integrates sustainability, self-learning, and conscious living. We’re always open to conversations, shared experiences, community meet-ups, and guiding those who resonate with our path.

But we gently remind everyone: PRAJA is not a ready-made formula. Each family has its own rhythm, needs, and dreams. We love to share what’s worked for us—and also be honest about what hasn’t. If it helps even one family to take the first step, that’s enough.

By not interfering too soon.

When children ask questions, we don’t rush to give answers. We listen, discuss, and sometimes leave the question hanging—so it can blossom naturally. We create time and space where boredom can turn into invention, and silence can lead to something magical.

We keep materials nearby - books, tools, art supplies, puzzles, soil, seeds - and let their curiosity lead the way. Sometimes it's messy, sometimes it fizzles out, but it's always theirs. And that’s how creativity grows - organically.

Start by observing—not the system, but your child.

What excites them? What drains them? What would happen if you gave space for their questions, their fears, their natural rhythm?

Don’t rush. Try small changes. Read, meet other families, visit places like PRAJA if it helps. And most importantly, have open conversations with your child and partner—this isn’t just an educational shift, it’s a lifestyle transformation.

This path isn’t for everyone, and that’s okay. But if it pulls at your heart, it’s worth exploring.

Trust means we believe in our children’s innate ability to learn—without needing to force it.

Authenticity means we don’t pretend to know it all. We’re honest about our uncertainties, mistakes, and evolving beliefs.

Transparency means we share what we’re doing, how we’re doing it, and why we chose it—with no hidden agenda or polished narrative.

Unschooling at PRAJA isn’t a trend. It’s a reflection of how we live, love, and learn—together.