Fran chats to Nikolai about centering literacy in our homes and taking back the tools to support our children with learning to read and write. We talk about perceptions around literacy in both unschooling and schooling spaces, and Nikolai speaks to literacy as a tool for liberation. We also talk about the importance of relationship and trust, of non-coercion, and of decentering school as a movement for all families (unschooled, homeschooled and schooled!). More about Nikolai: For over 10 years, Nikolai Pizarro, has worked to empower predominantly Black and Brown parents and caregivers, particularly segments further marginalized by socioeconomic factors, with science based frameworks of early brain development, literacy instruction, non-violent discipline, and self-directed education. Her book, Ring the Alarm, has been used by programs sponsored by Brooklyn Kindergarten Society and the Department of Health. She has facilitated workshops at hundreds of preschools and private early childhood centers, including over 300 Early Start and Head Start Centers. Over the past 8 years, as her own unschooling journey with her son has unfolded, her work has increasingly included private and small group coaching and collaboration with families looking to transition from conventional schooling to self-directed models and just as importantly, a commitment to reconnect with our assignment to children rather than the school system. "Open source, self-directed, and intersectional education is not just a model for our children. It is the model. But this is bigger than schooling models. This work is in defense of childhood and our divine assignment. " she shares. As a response to COVID19, she has started the facebook group BIPOC-led pandemic pods and microschools, for BIPOC families and non-white book co-conspirators committed to Black and Brown liberation with now over 2,600 members, launched an early literacy system, and has initated a project to turn her own home into a self-directed, forest school and permaculture, mixed age coop Find Nikolai on instagram @raisingreaders And also here: fromhighchairtofreedom.com and here: homeasepicenter.com
