I've written a number of unschooling articles during my decade as an unschooling parent. My own definition of unschooling has evolved over the years and I've seen a number of definitions and ideas about the what, how, and why of this approach to parenting and education.
What is Unschooling, Schooling, Education?
In "What does unschooling really mean?" I said that educational experts typically get it wrong. Most experts observe unschoolers from the outside or abstractly and their perspectives are often colored by a professional and self-protective bias. If you want to know about unschooling, I suggest that you get to know some unschooling families and try it for yourself.
In "What's the difference between schooling and education?" I explained that unschooling isn't un-education or un-learning as some opponents have feared, it's un-schooling. Education is life. School is a place where schooling happens, but it can also happen at home.
That's why I asked, "Does your homeschooling support natural learning behaviors?" Conventional schooling methods and educational reform programs often fail to consider the research on how children learn. Schooling typically ignores or penalizes children's natural learning behaviors. Homeschooling parents are susceptible to the same mistakes.
So I suggest that homeschoolers may want to avoid schooling and consider education. Get to know some unschoolers. If you don't know any, make connections on Facebook unschooling pages and groups.
What's Wrong With Schooling, Teaching, and Structured Lessons?
It all depends on what you mean by teaching. In an unschooling case against teaching, I made the distinction between teaching and helping children learn. Teaching is a coercive forceful act, whereas helping is wanted and helpful, not harmful or punitive.
Unschooling is not against instruction, lessons, or other academic activities. Children want to learn useful skills such as math, science, and reading:
However, formal academic activities may do more harm than help with early learners. Unschoolers of all ages, but especially very young children, learn naturally through play.
Unschooling Isn't the Same as Child-Led
Unschooling parents aren't hands-off or uninvolved, as opponents have suggested. They don't leave learning up to the children. In "Unschooling and Natural Learning," I pointed out that unschooling parents may
- Introduce new topics,
- Share and help children to seek knowledge,
- Initiate and participate in learning activities, and
- Provide guidance and instruction.
Unschooling can be child-led learning at times, but child-led isn't part of the definition. Unschooling parents are aware, available, and willing to help their children in whatever way best serves the child's needs.
You might also enjoy: The Unschooling Collection
Sara McGrath - Sara is a veteran homeschool mom of three, Usborne consultant, and the author of Unschooling: A Lifestyle of Learning.
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