Unschooling in it’s very basic form is an education philosophy that children will learn through life and by following what they are interested in. The homeschool style is very much child-led.
What is Unschooling?
Unschooling is a somewhat controversial philosophy or method pertaining to homeschooling. The premise is that children learn from the world around them as they follow their interests. This is the primary means of learning.
The term unschooling was coined back in the 1970’s by John Holt. It was after working for years in the education system that he felt there needed to be a change in how we approached learning with children. Holt’s idea was that if we provided children with a rich environment and allowed them to grow and explore it they would naturally learn when they were ready. There would be no need to coerce students into learning before they were ready.
Holt also felt that if children we allowed to follow their own interests that they would engage more fully as they would feel that the information and subject matter was of true value to them.
Children are Natural Learners
As parents we all know this is true. From the moment a child is born they are learning. Babies learn by putting literally everything in their mouths. Toddlers learn cause and effect by throwing a ball. Preschoolers learn through copious amounts of play. Have you ever noticed how many four year olds can name a million different dinosaurs? Did you teach them that? or did they learn that themselves. Chances are they would out smart you on any dinosaur exam.
This natural desire for learning does not simple disappear once a child reaches school age. Many unschoolers believe that the school environment significantly inhibits this natural curiosity however with it’s “one size fits all” style of education. Instead of a child following her own timeline of learning based on natural curiosity, the child is instead prescribed to a mentality of needing to achieve X, Y and Z before the end of the grade or they are not learning.
This notion that all children need to be on the same timeline hinders growth, and sets the child up for ultimate failure should she not meet the expectations. If a child is however allowed to progress at her own speed they will learn the material much quicker when they are developmentally ready and interested.
Unschooling Different Learning Styles
One of the positives of unschooling is that it can accomodate the variety of learning styles children may have. Some children need to be hands on and touch everything and anything. These are the kids you will probably find covered in mud or exploring rock pools at the beach. Other children may need to write everything down. The will love to journal things, write lists, keep logs, write notes etc. Hearing information may be another way that your child learns. Listening to speakers who are passionate about a subject or listening to podcasts may be a good angle to take here. Some children are visual and want to see what they are learning. You can talk about it until you are blue in the face but if they can’t see it, it doesn’t stick.
Unschooling allows children to draw on their strengths in their own learning styles. If one approach doesn’t work they can try another. This is something that is missing in mainstream education. It is definitely streamlined to cater to the typical student with very little wiggle room.
What Would My Role be as a Parent?
So you may be thinking at this point “This sounds easy, I pretty much just let them go”. Well yes and no. Parents who homeschool following the unschooling are some of the most hardworking and dedicated homeschooling parents around, especially in the younger years.
Your role would include helping them to search out books, facilitating interactions with those knowledgable about their subject of interest. Parents would help by exposing the children to many, many, different experiences and people so that they can broaden their knowledge and peak their interests in a variety of different subject areas.
Goal setting can be an important role of a unschooling parent. You may want to sit down with your child periodically and talk about where they are and what they want to accomplish. You can help them to set a path to success and offer encouragement and support along the way.
You main role as an unschooling parent is to be the facilitator and to offer the opportunities and help give ideas. It often a collaboration of sorts.
No Bookwork Then?
Essentially, there is no book work unless the child requests it. For example a child may be in love with learning about zoology. They may then find a course available that they want to take and you would sign them up. This course would then entail a significant portion of book work. The key difference here is that it was child led and not parent enforced.
Negatives of Unschooling
As with any philosophy and with homeschooling in general there are always critisims. Unschooling is probably with most highly controversial of all the homeschooling methods because it is so hands off and child led.
One of the most prevalent arguments against unschooling is that children who are unschooling will not know how to function in the real world if they have always been allowed to do as they please. How will they function when they need to report to a superior in a workplace, or produce work within a deadline if they have never had that experience. This may also come into play once they reach college.
A second argument is that children who are unschooled are spoilt and struggle to cope with situations when they are not able to get their own way. This comes from the notion that unschooled children simple do as they please.
Another argument many have is that the child will lack significant blocks from their education if they simply didn’t not feel like learning it. This may be historical events, basic math concepts or the like.
Lack of structure. This is often a big one for parents who thrive of order. Unschooling can look a bit chaotic. If this is the route you are wanting to take it will require a fair bit of just “letting go”
No testing. If there is no testing how can you be sure they are learning everything they need to know. This can be very scary for parents especially when you are first starting out homeschooling. This is your child’s education we are talking about! What happens if we screw it up!? Everyone loves the reassurance that they are doing okay and not ruining their child’s life.
Is Unschooling Legal
Yes it is. However many states will require you to show proof of learning. They may ask you to submit a portfolio of work or log work hours, or to complete some kind of testing. Other states may simple ask nothing of you. It is always best to find out what your state requires and ensure that you are abiding by that.
What is Radical Unschooling?
Radical unschooling perpetuates the philosophy of unschooling into other areas of life. Essentially it becomes a child directed life. It rests on the notion that children have the innate ability to self regulate and manage themselves in most aspects of life if given the chance.
This may include when to go to sleep, how much television to watch, what and when to eat etc.
It is thought that when children are allowed to have control over these things they do very well at maintaining a good rhythm and routine specific to themselves.
How to Start Unschooling
If you have weighed up the pro’s and con’s for your child and have decided that unschooling is for you it is time to get started.
The first step is to zone in on what you child is interested in. Provide them with lots of resources and let them go for as long and as hard as they like. If it’s dinosaurs, then watch documentaries, visit museums, youtube, books, create art pieces the sky is the limit.
For older children sit down with them and discuss what their plan is, and where their interests lay. You might want to point them in the direction of doing some volunteer work in the industry they are interested in. Go to seminars, enrol in courses related to subject matter that fascinates them etc
