How An Unschooling Mom Fostered Child’s Creativity: ‘I Believe All Children Are Artists’

“Four months of work. No pressure, just play!”

This is Justine Chantelle Abad’s caption accompanied with a video of her daughter, Beau Crescent Hortaleza, sewing dresses, modeling them, and participating in a fashion show. “All dresses are designed and handmade by our little maker, Beau Crescent,” Justine added.

Designing and producing a collection of clothes is quite a remarkable feat for a 10-year-old. In an exclusive interview with Smart Parenting, Justine shared their story of learning, creativity, and the empowering journey of unschooling has allowed Beau to flourish in her passions.

Choosing Unschooling

Justine admits that traditional schooling simply didn’t work for Beau, who is neurodivergent. “The fixed and rigidness of a school setup has always led her to be excluded. We already tried almost everything–traditional school, alternative school, even blended learning homeschool wherein she only goes to school on some days,” she explained.

And while Justine said that she initially had doubts about homeschooling, last year she “took matters into her own hands and took the leap of faith.” She further said, “I think it helped when homeschooling became more accepted after the pandemic when more people opted to do it.”

As to why she ultimately chose unschooling for Beau, Justine said, “After trying a handful of popular pedagogies, I think what made me choose unschooling is the philosophy of it that is free from any fixed pedagogy and the only thing you have to look at is the child. No fixed formula, no gurus to police you what is pedagogical or not. For me, it is the truest in its essence of the saying ‘the child is the curriculum.’ The formula is the child itself.”

For Justine, unschooling is the best fit for her and Beau, saying, “It’s the freedom from fear, to be honest. I admit I’m still worried and anxious about it because of the fact that it’s a less walked road. There are times when I ask myself, what if I’m wrong? But then I’m reminded that if we had started sooner, we wouldn’t have had to experience the numerous heartbreaks we’ve had, trying to fit in and please other people. Now that we’re here and it appears to be working out, I feel silly for being so scared when really, there’s nothing to be scared about.”

Moreover, Justine admits that their setup gives her and Beau the freedom to pursue their passions, saying, “We already are eclectic in our approach to education even when my daughter was still attending school. I am always receptive to her abilities and interests and I intend to let her experience everything that gives her life. Unschooling has given us the freedom and autonomy to do this full time.”

Nurturing a Child’s Artistic Talents

Justine played a big role in nurturing Beau’s interest in art, she said, “I believe all children are born artists so I have always known that my child is a creative human being and will have a desire to create.” As an alternative fashion designer herself, Justine shared that “our home has always been a safe space for creating,” adding that Beau “grew up enjoying dressing up and simply being immersed in a life of girlhood,” which then led to her developing her own fashion style.

When it came to hard skills such as sewing, Beau knew how to work the needle since she was 6. Now a 10-year-old, she has accompanied her mother in fashion shows and even helped out on custom orders. This year, Beau launched her own art brand named Rainbeaucore, where she sells her art and sewn creations. Having her own fashion brand helped establish Beau’s style, as Justine explained: “We have always talked about her making her own wardrobe herself because it’s hard to find clothes she likes and is comfortable in since she is also sensory sensitive. We discovered a lot in the process: she doesn’t like tight-fitting clothes, certain fabric textures and treatments such as shirring, certain collar types make her feel constrained, and she doesn’t like garters touching her skin.”

Justine admits that she lets Beau join art events and fairs, which she found enjoyable. Moreover, she supports Beau by “giving her access to tools and communities where she can explore, learn from other creatives, and share what she can share.”

Beau’s Fashion Show

Beau’s participation in a fashion show started when Justine pitched the idea to her, saying, "It’s a tight-knit fashion community and they have known Beau ever since she was a baby, so it’s a perfect avenue for her to share her work. Beau has always been a doer and is always passionate in being out there doing things so it’s a natural big YES.”

When asked about Beau’s collection, Justine explained, “She is currently obsessed with Kuromi and has always dressed up in that theme so she decided she wanted to make a Kuromi-inspired children’s fashion collection in gothic lolita style because the event is a gothic lolita convention. She designed all the pieces and made them herself with my supervision.”

To support Beau, Justine stepped into multiple roles: “Manager, sponsor, and mentor,” she laughed. Justine coordinated with the organizers, organizing Beau’s fashion team, securing her models, and “Mentored her [Beau] with the knowledge of what is realistic with the time, resources, and her skills. I provided her with the patterns of the designs she made since it’s a more advanced skill.”

Empowerment Through Self-Expression

Justine hopes that the entire experience has shown Beau how empowering it is to be true to oneself. “Empowerment through self-expression and of course, knowing that there will always be a community where she will be included, accepted and celebrated. But it starts with feeling safe in self-expression, knowing who you are and what gives you life, and finding avenues where people like you hang out so that you can give life to each other.”

And to other parents, Justine has an important reminder: “Look at the child. The child is the curriculum. Exercise an open mind and do something every now and then to challenge your fears and biases no matter how small. Interact with the world as far as you can. It can take a village to raise a child and the world is the village.”

Witnessing Beau’s journey has always been rewarding for Justine. “It is seeing her make meaningful connections through her art. Witnessing her receive love and support from people who give it because they have love to give. See her give that love back because she has love to give.”

Read the story of a couple who is unschooling their kids.