You have probably heard of unschooling (a.k.a. "child-led learning") in the news. This is a type of homeschooling that is somewhat difficult to describe because it looks so different from any other form of homeschooling.
This form of homeschooling was greatly influenced by John Holt's writing. Herein children are allowed to have the freedom to grow and explore at their own pace. With this in mind, it is important to understand that there are no curriculum, lesson plans, work books or any other form of formal schooling done unless the child requests it.
Obviously, parents have to take a leap of faith in order to unschool their children. These parents have to trust that their children really do want to learn and grow. They have to have faith that these children will learn in their own time and for their own reasons. Of course, this form of schooling is not for everyone though. Some families need to have a learning environment that is structured and controlled. These people will find that just living life and allowing learning to occur naturally a bit unsettling.
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5 comments:
As unschoolers, no day is typical in our house. A lot of people don't understand what we do.
My children have been unschooled for almost their entire lives- they are imaginative, articulate, and naturally curious.
I trust they will learn what they need to know when they need to know it. And I've seen it happen.
We arent full unschoolers (we just started homeschooling and are trying to find our niche) but I have seen the benefits of this form of homeschooling, and think it is brilliant for those family who understand its philosophy.
Thanks for sharing this!
We are somewhat unschooling but we do some workbooks and stuff too. I agree with Laura that there's no such thing as a typical day. My dd is learning as we go.
I think that's a good description of unschooling. There's a whole spectrum between classical homeschooling and compelete unschooling, so it's not black & white.
You might like the Education Forums about Homeschooling & Unschooling.
I think you're so right Scott, which is what makes it so difficult to explain unschooling without having someone get the wrong idea.
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