Formal learning activities done too early may hinder learning rather than aid it. In his article, "Much Too Early!" (BestHomeschooling.org, 2001), David Elkind, Child Development Professor at Tufts University, stated: "The natural world is the infant's and young child's first curriculum, and it can only be learned by direct interaction with things."
The most informal style of homeschooling, commonly known as unschooling or life learning, embraces play as fundamental to its philosophy. The unschooling style of learning models the oldest form of learning, fully integrated into life.
By whatever name one calls the basic practice of unschooling, i.e, natural learning, child-led, self-directed, etc., it describes an approach to living with children in which a family lives and learns together in respectful partnership free from coercive and punitive practices. Complementary philosophies include attachment parenting, Marshall Rosenberg's compassionate, nonviolent communication, and Alfie Kohn's unconditional parenting.
Natural Learning
Unschooling might be called "natural learning," because of the way it manifests as a variety of learning practices that predate the invention of conventional schooling methods. These natural practices might include
- Trial
- Observation
- Invention
- Asking for help
- Any other activity that occurs naturally to the learner as a way to accomplish goals
Although the term, "natural," might not evoke the image of a child using modern technology, tools such as computers, television, etc., can be used within a natural learning style.
Learning Through Play is Effective
Despite conventional precepts that learning is hard work or not fun, unschooling philosophy asserts that
- Learning need not be difficult or unpleasant to be effective
- Play is both important for development and is a valid mode of learning
Play is useful, meaningful, and fun. It might include fantasy, make-believe, poetry, song, drama, art, and on and on. Children use these activities to explore and understand the world. They play at doing adult work. They play at finding their place and contributing to their communities.
Young children engaged in self-motivated activities learn a multitude of concepts in a natural, informal, and enjoyable way. Very young children learn to walk and talk, count and identify symbols, differentiate between light, dark, and various colors, observe the natural world and social relationships, and feel the effects of motion, gravity, etc., with little or no explicit instruction.
Children continue to learn through playing, having fun, experimenting, etc., for as long as they are free from a coercive teaching environment. The methods conventional educators use to teach, or the way they try to help children learn, may do more harm than good, especially when they discourage or take the place of play. Coercive pressure to learn, i.e., material incentives (bribes) and arbitrary consequences (threats), may inhibit learning rather than aid it.
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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