Strewing is the practice of intentionally placing interesting items, books, or materials in a child's environment for them to discover on their own, without pressure or expectation, allowing natural curiosity to drive learning.
What is Strewing?
Strewing is a term coined by Sandra Dodd, a pioneering unschooling advocate, in the 1990s. She describes it as "adding things of interest to the environment without pressure or expectation." The practice involves parents intentionally placing books, art supplies, nature items, games, or other engaging materials where children will naturally discover them. The key distinction is that strewing carries no expectation that children will engage with the items. Parents might leave a book about volcanoes on the couch or watercolors on the kitchen table, then step back and let curiosity take over. If the child ignores it, that's perfectly fine.
Key Takeaways
- Originally developed within unschooling philosophy but adaptable to any homeschool style
- Items are placed for discovery without pointing them out or creating pressure
- Can include books, art supplies, nature items, games, videos, and even conversations
- Success is measured by the child's delight in discovery, not educational outcomes
- Works well for revealing children's genuine interests and passions
How Strewing Works in Practice
Effective strewing begins with observing your child's current interests. If they've been fascinated by birds, you might leave a bird identification guide on the coffee table, binoculars by the window, and a sketch pad nearby. The materials are arranged attractively but casually, like setting out a buffet rather than assigning a task. Critically, you don't point out what you've placed or ask them to use it. Children discover items on their own terms and decide whether to engage. Many families rotate materials weekly to maintain freshness and follow evolving interests.
Strewing Ideas by Category
Books remain the most common strewing material: library books on topics of interest, poetry for teatime, or graphic novels left on a nightstand. Art supplies like watercolors, clay, or craft kits invite creative exploration. Nature items such as fossils, leaves, pinecones, and seeds bring the outdoors in. Puzzles, logic games, and building sets encourage hands-on problem solving. For older children, consider complex strategy games, science kits, or apps and online resources. Sandra Dodd notes that strewing items were rarely things her family purchased new. Found objects, thrift store treasures, and forgotten items from closets work wonderfully.
What Strewing Is Not
Authentic strewing is not a sneaky way to make children learn specific content. It's not "product placement" where you set out flashcards and say "sometime this morning, okay?" If you find yourself hoping your child will pick up a particular item to learn something you think they need, you've moved away from true strewing into curriculum planning. Unschooling purists emphasize that strewing should never be an attempt to control the direction of learning or influence interests toward what parents prefer. Items are left because you genuinely think your child might enjoy them, with complete acceptance if they walk right past.
The Bottom Line
Strewing offers a gentle way to enrich your child's environment without the pressure of formal lessons. While it originated in unschooling circles, the practice works across homeschool philosophies. Structured homeschoolers might use strewing for enrichment alongside core curriculum, while eclectic families might rely on it more heavily. The magic happens when children feel ownership over their discoveries. A child who picks up a book about ancient Egypt because they found it intriguing will engage far more deeply than one handed an assignment. Start small, release expectations, and let natural curiosity lead the way.
