Fun-Schooling & “The Let Them Theory”: A Perfect Match

/ Sarah Janisse Brown / Leave a comment

As a mother of 15 and the creator of Fun-Schooling, I’ve spent decades helping families embrace a natural, joy-filled approach to learning. Recently, as I’ve been reading The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins and listening to her podcast, I realized just how deeply her philosophy aligns with what I’ve been teaching through Fun-Schooling for years.

For me it started on the day I woke up, a homeschool mom of eight who was worn out micromanaging their education and depressed because there was no joy. So I said, “Today I will just say YES to whatever they want to do.” I had created a beautiful environment for learning, but curriculum was boring, limiting and too much work for me. I was drained and wanted to enjoy being a mom while homeschooling. I told my kids, “We are going to Fun-School today”. It was amazing. The learning that happened amazed me, and the joy set us all free.

Mel’s Let Them theory is about releasing control, allowing people to make their own choices, and letting go of the urge to micromanage. Fun-Schooling is based on the same principle—letting children study what they love, explore their passions, and skip the boring, outdated schoolwork that kills curiosity. Instead of forcing learning through rigid, one-size-fits-all curriculums, we let kids take the lead, trusting their natural desire to grow, explore, and create.

Here are ten ways Fun-Schooling and The Let Them Theory are a perfect match:

Let Them Learn What Excites Them

Mel Robbins encourages us to let people pursue their own interests, even if we don’t understand them. Fun-Schooling follows this same logic: if a child is obsessed with horses, let them dive deep into everything horse-related—biology, history, art, business, and storytelling—all through their passion.

Let Them Skip the Boring Stuff

Traditional education forces kids to memorize facts they’ll never use, leading to burnout and frustration. But what if we let them skip what doesn’t spark their curiosity? In Fun-Schooling, we trust that when a child is deeply engaged, they’ll develop the skills they need naturally.

Let Them Make Mistakes

Mel emphasizes that people learn best through their own experiences. Fun-Schooling embraces this truth—kids don’t need to get everything “right” the first time. They need freedom to experiment, fail, and try again without fear of judgment.

Let Them Go at Their Own Pace

Not every child learns on the same timeline, just like adults don’t all hit milestones at the same time. Fun-Schooling allows kids to develop skills when they’re ready, not when a curriculum says they should.

Let Them Create Instead of Conform

Mel Robbins challenges us to step away from people-pleasing and embrace individuality. Fun-Schooling does the same by giving kids the space to create, imagine, and build rather than just regurgitate facts.

Let Them Follow Their Curiosity

We trust that adults will figure things out when they’re interested in something—why don’t we extend that same trust to children? Fun-Schooling encourages kids to chase their curiosity, knowing that a self-motivated learner will always go further than a forced one.

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Be a More Joyful Mom by Following Sarah’s Life Tips!

/ Sarah Janisse Brown / Leave a comment

These tips are from a post back in 2016. Some truths are timeless. Scripture truth will always “age well”. These simple truths will help to keep you peaceful, joyful, and grounded as a homeschool mom.

1. Don’t make decisions based on your fears.

2. Don’t gossip. “A whisperer separates the best of friends.” People who gossip to you, will gossip about you.

3. Take advice from the people you want to be like. There will be people who try to control you, but do you want to end up like them?

4. Don’t take advice from people who are driven by their fears. Take advice from those who live by faith and trust in God’s word.

5. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. When they happen learn from them.

6. Overlook most of the stuff other people throw your way.

7. When in doubt, be gracious. Wisdom is knowing what to overlook.

8. Take a minute to encourage a child, no matter how busy you are.

9. Before you complain, remember the cross.

10. Enjoy today and love the people on your path. They are there for a reason.

11. If you have a dream, give it feet. What is the worst that could happen? God gave you that dream, don’t waste it.

12. Greed is ugly. Pride is ugly. Selfishness is ugly. Grace is amazing!

We’re Following the Leader: Nurturing a Love of Learning Through Structure and Guidance

/ Amanda Osenga / Leave a comment

Are you homeschooling a child who thrives on directions and instructions? Does your child prefer to work with clear boundaries and structure? Does your child follow instructions in kits and recipes exactly? Is your child eager to please and loves to gain approval from adults and others they respect?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are raising what we call a Follower Learner.

Follower kids often thrive in a more traditional school-like setting. This doesn’t mean they can’t be home-educated, though. Today, we’ll offer a few tips for helping your Follower Learner develop a lifelong love of learning.

Homeschooling Follower Learners- Nurturing a Love of Learning Through Structure and Guidance

Unlike Explorers, Follower learners are not necessarily driven by a need to “discover” or question the material. These learners want to do things correctly and succeed by the given standards. 

Usually, these students won’t ask, “Why do I need to know this?” They’ll be motivated by the learning process itself, completing assignments accurately, and getting approval from others. However, outside-the-box thinking may be a bit more difficult for these students. Sometimes, this can be hard for parents who want a more relaxed homeschool. These students often require more effort from parents to provide a setting with clear expectations, schedules, and structure.

Building Skills and Confidence in Follower Learners

One of the best ways to support Follower Learners is to provide materials that cater to their need for clear instructions and guidance. Some of our more open-ended journals will frustrate Follower Learners. Parents may need to provide guidance and direction for these kids. For example, a sticky note with exactly what pages should be read from which book, how long an answer is required, and any other guidelines. We also offer several more structured journals, some of which I’ll mention below. As your student completes these activities, they will build confidence! 

Our journals offer predictable, engaging content and activities that help Follower Learners develop attention to detail, focus, and comprehension skills. Through these resources, your child can develop a love for learning.

Creating a Structured Learning Environment

Your Follower Learner likely appreciates a schedule. Starting the day with something like “circle time” and a visual schedule can be helpful. You do not have to be rigid in saying x activity at x time. Providing them with an expectation for what will occur in what order helps. Many families with Follower kids include pictures of the journals a student will be working in for the day. Have a quick wrap-up at the end of the day. This will give your Follower a chance to see all they accomplished and receive feedback- which they thrive on- from you or another adult! 

Journals like Transportation History and Adventures Around the World will appeal to their love of lists, charts, and historical facts. Each section of these journals is structured the same way, giving your Follower learner a clear expectation and predictability for what’s to come. Meanwhile, topics like Rocks & Minerals, All About Rainforests, and American History Timeline will appeal to their interest in organized, factual knowledge and clear timeframes. These provide a lot of structure and guidance—American History Timeline is one of our most structured journals.

Activities and Projects for Follower Learners

It is essential to have projects and activities that allow Follower Learners to follow instructions. Piano Lessons for Kids gives students a chance to learn to play without needing to hire outside help! They include lots of structure and detailed instructions for your students to learn to play the Piano confidently. The lessons will also appeal to their desire to please others by providing beautiful music for your home. 

Candlelight Brain Games is the most open-ended suggestion I will make today. Though it still appeals to Follower Learners. The goal of our Brain Games is to complete the missing parts of the pictures. Many Follower kids love it when a parent, older sibling, or another adult works on these with them. These allow students to embrace imperfection and creativity. If they become completely stuck, you can complete part of the page to give them an idea of what to do- or let them watch you finish it in your own copy.You can also encourage their love of lists and organization with projects like the Garden Research Handbook, which outlines the steps of planning and cultivating a garden. Through hands-on activities, they can see their plans come to life.

Fostering Independence While Providing Guidance

These learners also LOVE to follow any rules they possibly can. The Top 30 Grammar Mistakes is always a favorite for Follower Learners. It clearly outlines exactly what you should and should not do in Grammar. It is a journal students will sometimes complete once in late Elementary School/early Middle School and then again in High School. No matter your student’s future career or calling, knowledge of proper grammar will be needed. This is an excellent way to provide it in a way they can independently learn.

Our goal is always to help foster independence in our children. Rocks & Minerals and All About Rainforests also include fun hands-on projects for your students to complete. These give them another chance to follow instructions and learn to complete projects independently. Of course, you’ll be there to offer any needed guidance. For the most part, students should be able to complete these projects alone. 

You can also encourage students to create “step-by-step” guides for things they enjoy. By increasing their autonomy, you will help them learn to make decisions while still providing the support and structure they need to succeed. 

Involve Them and Have Fun!

Homeschooling Follower Learners is an exciting journey where structure, guidance, and encouragement are key. Ask for their feedback. See if they need/want more or less guidance, instruction, and lessons. Gradually ease up and see what they do independently after a while. About six weeks is a reasonable length of time to try something out. Then ask for their feedback and see what else would be helpful for them. As always, reach out if we can help at all.  With the right resources, like the We’re Following the Leader bundle and carefully selected books and activities, you can help these learners thrive, develop new skills, and take pride in their accomplishments. By fostering a structured yet nurturing environment, you’ll empower your Follower Learner to reach their full potential and enjoy the learning process every step of the way. 

If you’re homeschooling social kids, we’ve created this bundle just for them. It contains our most popular journals for Friend Learners and a suggested lesson plan. It and many of the journals mentioned above are on SALE for our March 2025 Follower Month.

PEEK Inside THIS BUNDLE – 

Hop over to Facebook and Instagram for a chance to peek inside the bundle. 

Stay tuned monthly as we announce a new secret theme with sales, giveaways, bundles, tips, and more.

Let us know what other questions and resources would be helpful for you to homeschool your Follower kid.

The Story of Fun-Schooling: Happily Ever After

/ Sarah Janisse Brown / Leave a comment

I never set out to start a movement—I was just a mom trying to help my kids love learning again. 💡

One of my daughters struggled with dyslexia. Traditional workbooks drained her confidence and made her hate reading. So, I created hand-drawn journals—full of coloring pages, storytelling, and creative prompts—and suddenly, she thrived! 🌿✨

Other moms started asking for copies, and before I knew it, Fun-Schooling was born! Families around the world—especially those with dyslexia, ADHD, and creative learners—discovered a better way to homeschool: interest-led, joyful, and stress-free.

Now, with over 300 books and a global community of families, Fun-Schooling is helping kids fall in love with learning again. ❤️

If homeschooling feels boring, stressful, or rigid—maybe it’s time to Fun-School! 🎨📚

💬 Have you tried Fun-Schooling? Share in the comments! Ready to get started? Visit funschooling.com

How to Organize the Chaos (Chore Charts & Home Learning Plan)

/ Sarah Janisse Brown / Leave a comment

Thirteen years ago, all the kids were 12 and under and I organized EVERYTHING. Now that they are all ten and up I organize very little moment by moment activity, I just make sure the basics are covered. Running a home with 8 kids under 12 was a very different season. Above is our “chore chart” for that season (see others below!). It was a great way to motivate and keep things on somewhat of a schedule. So funny that Esther at age 10 was going to the coffee shop for two hours a day. We lived on Main Street and she loved having her chill time there.

This was my actual Home-Learning Plan five years ago. It is simple for parents and delightful to kids!

  1. Logic Games
  2. Read Favorite Books
  3. YouTube Tutorials
  4. Nature Time
  5. Online Math Games or Serious Stuff
  6. Kitchen Time
  7. Spelling Games
  8. Complete 5 Workbook Pages or 5 Fun-Schooling Journal Pages
  9. Play Outside
  10. Art & Drawing
  11. Just Dance
  12. Chores
  13. Online Games (a reward for chores and school)
  14. Family Time and Board Games
  15. Movie Time
  16. Music Practice
  17. Dyslexia Games
    You can do these activities in any order, but Movies and Online Games should be close to last.

For chores, we would create new schedule once every 3 or 4 months. Everyone liked knowing exactly what areas of the house they were responsible for.

Chores are largely about teaching life skills and serving others. This journal can help!

Toddlers & Preschoolers: How to Choose Your Battles

/ Sarah Janisse Brown / Leave a comment

Why do little children do the opposite of what you say?
Why do preschoolers reject new foods and green leafy foods?
Why do toddlers refuse to share?
Why do preschoolers always want what the other child has?
Why do preschoolers fight bedtime?
How can I help my child to have a good attitude when cleaning up?
What can I do to help my child to behave, listen and obey?

A little over a decade ago, a friend of mine asked me to make a video about “Toddler and Preschool Behavior Problems” for her MOPS group. Here it is, featuring a tiny Ember Brown:

Learn more about our littlest Fun-Schoolers here.

Check out all of our journals for Preschoolers and Kindergartners here.

Early Education: A Playground for Real-World Skill Development

/ Sarah Janisse Brown / Leave a comment

In our family of 15, we don’t view k-12 education merely as a stepping stone to college. Our kids don’t even know what “grade” they are in half the time.

Instead of focusing on traditional academics, we see childhood as an exciting opportunity for our kids to begin crafting real-world skills centered around their passions.

As a homeschooling mom I get to create an environment for learning that inspires each child in the pursuit of their unique dream or calling, while exploring fulfilling options for a career.

Ages 2-5
From the outset, we introduce our kids to stories of passionate people who never give up, do great things and solve problems in the world. We are laying the groundwork for a life where work and calling intertwine. We love to read about people and find out about the jobs of the people we meet, from the high call of being a mommy or daddy, to the world-shaping influence of authors, political figures, heroes, artists and inventors.

I remember when my son Joseph was five, when he would meet someone new he would say “Hi, my name’s Joseph, I’m a scientist. What are you?”

Ages 6-9
We help our children to start a tiny business and engage with the world in ways that spark creativity and entrepreneurship.

  • Isaac’s bracelet-making and sword crafting were not just about making money but about igniting his creative and business acumen.
  • Leah, Ember, and Lilly’s craft sales at festivals were lessons in art, economics, and teamwork.
  • Rachel’s book reselling taught her about value, negotiation, and her love for literature.
  • Esther’s bath salts business combined chemistry with marketing, all while following her interests.

Ages 9-12
We deepen their engagement with their passions:

  • Providing resources like an aviary for Laura who is passionate about birds or a piano for Joseph who is gifted in music – these gifts allow them to live their passions daily.
  • We emphasize learning by doing, ensuring that education is not abstract but connected to real-life applications. Why learn something from a book when you can do it in real life? As homeschoolers we are not limited by the walls of a classroom!

Ages 13-20
Here, we move from exploration to mastery:

  • Investing in their vision on their 13th birthday We provide them with real tools to build their dreams, whether they lead to a career or a calling.
  • Skills taught are those they’ll use in their chosen paths, like marketing, leadership, or specialized knowledge.
  • We limit distractions to keep their focus on what truly excites and fulfills them. No phones until they are ready to run a business that requires it. They have to pay for their own phone, and we parents put filters on the device to keep the kids safe and productive.

Click here to keep reading!

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How do Fun-Schoolers handle graduation?

/ Amanda Osenga / Leave a comment

A mom recently asked about how Fun-Schoolers know when to graduate their kids and how to celebrate such a momentous occasion. Here are our thoughts on graduation-

First of all, verify you are following the legal requirements for where you live. Some states/ areas have specific requirements you need to meet before graduation is even “on the table.” The HSLDA and your local homeschool support organization are the best places to verify this info.

Second, talk to your kid. Do they want a graduation ceremony with friends who are also graduating? Would they like a small gathering with family and friends only? Do they want something just with their family? Or maybe one of the other options below sounds more appealing to them.


If learning is lifelong- is graduation even necessary?

A lot of families in our Fun-Schooling community don’t ‘do’ graduation because they view learning as lifelong. Some families do a transitional ceremony once the child moves away from the house, takes over 100% of their education, gets a job, or starts a business. They celebrate that milestone in a way like graduation might be for kids in school.

Some consider their kids graduated in May or June when they’d be graduating if they were in public school.

Families who have students who are artists, musicians, writers, dancers, etc. like to put on a performance or convocation to celebrate their student’s hard work around the age of 18. As another alternative to a “graduation” ceremony.

Several families have had big 18th birthday gatherings with friends, family, and those who have supported their kids throughout their lives. Students can put out their completed Fun-Schooling journals from Pre-K all the way to High School like a portfolio of their work for others to see.

If a graduation ceremony is a value to you and your kids- go for it! Some local high schools allow homeschoolers to walk in their ceremony. A few homeschool support organizations and conferences hold graduation. Or order a cap and gown and plan your own!! As with all things related to Fun-Schooling, there is no “right” or “wrong” way to do this. Celebrate the accomplishments of your kids- and yourself- however most feels like your family!

Read More about Homeschooling High School

The Value of Following Interests and Learning to Generate Wealth
Fun-Schooling for High School Credit
Is Fun-Schooling Enough for Students to Go From High School to College?

You Are the Expert on Your Child

/ Amanda Osenga / Leave a comment

Guest Post by Clerissa Kritzinger

Homeschooling on its own can be a challenging feat. However, when you have neurologically diverse children, it can get even trickier. They learn differently and see the world in unique ways. The mainstream approach can have you pulling your hair out before your first week is even over.

Lovely momma, I am here to tell you that when it comes to our kiddos, we are the only ones who truly know how best to educate them.

You are allowed to teach your kids in the way they learn best. My whole view on education changed when I discovered Fun-Schooling Journals. These journals help me tailor-make each child’s education with minimal effort and frustration for both parties.

It’s not a cookie-cutter curriculum. There is no one telling you what you should or should not be doing with your kids. You can absolutely do whatever works for your child.

For example:
• For a Visual Learner: Use YouTube and documentaries.
• For a Child Who Doesn’t Like Drawing or Coloring: Print pictures and paste them into their books.
• For a Reluctant Writer: Have them type out their research findings, print it, and stick it in the journal.
• For a Struggling Reader: Use podcasts and audiobooks, or even apps that convert text to speech.

Our goal is to learn—no matter what tools we have to use to reach that goal. Our job is to teach our kids how to learn and to become lifelong learners because we never stop learning.

For me, teaching my kids how to learn and how to utilize the tools available to them is one of the most important skills I can impart. It is a skill that will ensure they can follow their own path and be independent in a world that often encourages dependence. Even if the outside world—or even family members—might not agree with the way your kids learn, that is more than okay. Having a happy and thriving child is far more important than the opinions of others.

Journals for neurodiverse kids can be found here.

Read more articles like this-
Equipping Our Children in a Rapidly Changing World
How to Spot Your Child’s Natural Interests
Inspiring Your Children to Read

How to Teach Kids to Have Quiet Time/Bible Time

/ Sarah Janisse Brown / Leave a comment

I believe it is so important to understand how to nurture a child’s growing mind. I have a passion to teach them to be curious, to love learning, to research wisely and to grow in wisdom, understanding and knowledge. It’s been my lifework to understand why some children struggle to learn, read, and focus, and I dig deep into these matters sorting through vast amounts of research on the human mind to understand how to unlock the potential of each child. I work hard to find the answers and tap into the child’s gifts, no matter what their natural strengths and weaknesses may be. And I test these ideas and solutions and share them with the world, and many thousands of children have been able to overcome struggles related to ADHD, Autism and Dyslexia.

I also believe that it’s vastly important to nurture the child’s growing body, to give the child the best foods, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and the right balance of proteins, fats and carbs. I research and learn what is good and what is poison and ensure the child has sunshine and exercise. Because what good is a strong mind inside a weak and sick body? You can not care for one and neglect the other. Mothers and fathers everywhere make it a priority to care for the mind and body of the child, hoping that the child will grow, thrive and be strong and wise.

But this is not enough. We must also nourish the soul and spirit and character of the child as well–and even more so. How often is the care of the spirit the last thing we even consider at the end of the day? To nourish the spirit of the child is of greater value than all other efforts we could ever make to feed the mind and the body. How many of us have children who are starving spiritually?

Parent, you reap what you sow. If you plant in your child the seeds of the Spirit your child will grow in the Spirit. If you build him up in character, he will become a man of honor. If your daughter is nurtured in the things of the Spirit she will grow in grace, glory and faith. But if a parent neglects the nourishment of the spirit, the soul and the character of the child, the impact in the life of the child will be more devastating than if you failed to nourish the body and the mind. So I ask you, loving mother, faithful father? How will you tend to the garden of your child’s soul today?

A Simple Plan

Here is something simple to begin with. Make each child a cup of tea and make one for yourself and then you all go to your quiet spots with a Bible and Journal. Tell them that when they are done with “Bible Time” it will be “serving time” where each person helps someone else in the family with their chores. Turn on some peaceful music during Quiet Time.

In short, you begin by demonstrating what this looks like.

For younger children, you can have them listen to a Bible audio book. Get a children’s Bible and use Bible coloring pages. We have a number of journals that will help!

Find many more journals for Fun-Schooling moms and kids of all ages here!