A Day in the Life of an Unschooled 11-Year-Old | Something Beautiful for the World

A Day in the Life of Woody showcases the unschooled life of 11-year-old Blackwood, a boy who has been schooled from home all his life. There’s not much missing in a day spent with Woody that you wouldn’t find in the life of most 11-year-old Australian boys – bows & arrows, playing cricket, family time, learning time… but there’s a difference here. From growing the tree to make his future bows & arrows to skillfully handling a chainsaw as he helps his dad manage the local commons forest, Woody’s daily life is both similar and very different to the average young boy’s. Told entirely from Woody’s perspective, this 12-minute film shares an inspiring insight into one young boy’s experience of the world.

Host a screening of this film in your community!

*Subtitles*

The films of the series "Something Beautiful for the World" explore how small acts of love and kindness have the potential to ripple out and change the world, touching hearts and minds in ways that we could never begin to imagine. We'll be sharing a total of 12 short films, from across five continents - releasing one per month for the whole year of 2024 - four from each filmmaker.

More info about the three production companies below:

Happen Films

Campfire Stories

Reflections of Life

[krista]

Watching this I realized that it might be the first time I’ve ever seen a documentary that’s purely from a child’s perspective! No adults butting in or commentating on his experience. Just Woody, speaking for himself and being respected at the level of adults.
Bravo!

[barbaracvejik-reeve]

As a teacher watching many unhappy, anxious children on a daily basis I would not call this 'unschooled'. Actually, the other way around. Schools of today are now producing the 'unschooled' of tomorrow. This young man showed us what the real sense of education once meant.
P.S. I am doing my best to make changes but constantly swimming upstream

[cieloazul]

"I don't decide what to learn, I just discover things..." ❤

[valarieosborne]

This young man is living a better life than most 11yr olds who sit in front of a screen playing video games for He is learning how to survive and skills to carry him thru his life.

[BadgerDevil]

This is the way most kids should learn, or at least the first few years.
This young man is polite, articulate when he speaks, knows the value of things, and saved for each tool he wanted.
I might have encouraged reading and writing a little earlier, but that's just me.
Well done Woody, enjoy life while you can.

[campfire-stories]

This is a beautiful portrait of a capable young man. It's also a film that raises the question "What is school for?" Should school continue to be an institution for creating efficient cogs for the machinery of industrialization? Or should it be modelled around planetary healing? If the latter is true, Woody could be a teacher as well as a student. Great job everyone involved!

[augustusvaz]

This is how like should be raised... You can feel the respect that he gives in his voice and personality.... He will grow up to be a kind man....

[Abundancelivingaustralia]

As a child I hated school, as an adult I realised how much of my life I wasted there.We are about to move offgrid to a large property and start a family and give our children the childhood we wish we had. The joy on Woodys face is says it all ❤

[delaneyk]

I homeschool my four children and the comments just warms my heart.
It works for our family and it allows me to have such an amazing relationship with my kids.

[ArandenaHerbalist]

This little documentary brought tears to my eyes, for all of us who lost so much of our life and selves to the school system, which serves little function but to make us effective industrial workers or prisoners. The joy of learning and happiness in our lives discarded in favor of fear-inducing external discipline.
How wonderful to see more children growing up with joy in their eyes and smiles on their faces, with skills in a variety of fields and the self-discipline needed to find their way in the world without getting lost in depression and confusion.

[y.l.]

I saw a video years ago of your parents who turned your home and property into a mini food Forrest. It's great to see you growing up Woody and you are turning into a great young man!

[Japanimepop]

This is what many of us could have experienced if we weren't forced to give 12 years of our life (at minimum)to a broken education system - just to be drained of much of what makes people capable of forging a path into a bright and prosperous future. I wish I could have lived like this... just a bit.

[vancamerawoman]

What a lovely, intelligent, friendly, competent, confident, helpful, well adjusted 11 year old.

You’re a lovely boy Woody living the good life with your mum, dad and local community.
It doesn’t get any better than this 😊

Nice work Jordan ❤

[alisonbrown]

I had the pleasure of meeting Woody as an articulate and adorable two year old. I followed his family’s cycling adventure along the east coast and publication of their book. I have no doubt he will go on to lead a very full and happy life, contributing richly to his community and being comfortable with himself and others. Capable, bright and empathetic. Wonderful things ahead.

[ccasto]

Recently read a book called Trust Kids! It totally evolved the way I see how kids could be in the world and I think treating kids with more autonomy and respect would change the world in incredibly positive ways

[rollandjoeseph]

I think kids getting to learn this way, love for the land, gardening, art work, learning how to use tools etc is so valuable, what a nice kid/family

[FallenTimber]

Inspirational. My wife and I are unschooling our two young boys in a similar manner. It’s absolutely incredible to see what Woody, as well as our own sons, dream up and turn into realities when they are given the time, the freedom, and the autonomy to do so. What a gift.

Our modern culture is so limiting to kids, both in what we give them the freedom to do as well as our underlying beliefs of what they’re capable of. And in my opinion, it’s the greatest disservice of our generation.

When you pursue your talents, you find your purpose. But without the time and space to do so—when you’re forced to spend 12 years in compulsive schooling followed by an immediate jump into the rat race—it’s difficult to have that time or space.

To the parents of Woody: you are inspiring. I sincerely wish our paths cross one day.

[alumidiaz]

What an inspiring family. Not a screen in sight, time for each other, and connected to community. It is so refreshing to see a family that is raising their child their child to be independent, creative, and socially responsible. Well done mum and dad. Woody, you're a champion.

[KBT]

So good to see childhood being enjoyed by a child. He is so productive and happy not entertained with toys but fully engaged in the world around him. I love this age for boys.

[truesight]

Every child I met that never went to school always seems to have a mental and emotional maturity of an adult, in fact most adults are so heavily "schooled" that they have yet to mature themselves, yet to explore and understand life, their consciousness has been shaped by a limited system and intelligence greatly suppressed, whereas those who use life as their teacher, become limitless...