About Unschooling

What is unschooling?

            Unschooling is a lifestyle that focuses on being open to all forms of learning and growing from life rather than the use of externally enforced curriculum.

How is unschooling different from homeschooling?

            This is a tricky question. Many unschoolers (myself included) feel that unschooling and homeschooling are two separate, unique ideas, despite the fact that the unschooling falls under the same regulatory laws as homeschooling. The main difference is that while homeschooling focuses on the use of curriculum to teach, unschooling focuses on living and learning from life itself. 

What does unschooling look like?

             Every family is different, therefore, unschooling will look different in every family. Actually, since each person is unique, unschooling may look very different between members of the same family.  Some families will apply unschooling philosophies to all aspects of life (Whole Life or Radical Unschooling) while other families may take an unschooling approach to some or all academic subjects. Some unschoolers may prefer to focus their studies on self-led projects, while others may prefer to take classes or pick a curriculum for themselves to use either in whole or in part. Some unsschoolers may also look for work, or internships in a field that they are interested in. All of these, and more, are embraced by the unschooling philosophy. 

Does it work?

            Adults do not stop learning once they finish school. Why would children be any different? People learn things that are relevant to their life. The skills needed to function in society can often be learned through participation in society itself. Math, for instance, can often be learned through activities such as shopping, cooking, or helping with a garage sale. Similarly, higher math can also be learned if a person has reason to learn it. A person who is interested in science will likely be motivated to learn the math required to do the science. If they do not have a reason to learn the math, then it may be better to allow them to spend their time learning about something else.

Where can I learn more about unschooling?

            The best way to learn about unschooling is from unschoolers. Finding unschooling-friendly playgroups to join can help parents network and learn alongside other unschooling families. The internet is also home to innumerable unschooling discussion forums, support groups, and informational resources (see Resources & References). Like everything else in life, unschooling can take a lot of practice. Being frustrated is natural, but there is no reason to be hard on yourself if you do not understand something immediately. Instead, take a deep breath and remember that you are learning and growing through all aspects of life.