What is Unschooling?

Have you ever asked yourself before, "am I giving the best kind of education for my child?"

You might have wondered if the conventional school setup meets your kid's educational needs. Maybe even pursuing homeschool also occupied your thoughts in the past. But today, a new approach to education called unschooling is increasingly gaining popularity to the same level as homeschooling.

Is this new approach the perfect fit tailored to maximize your child's learning?

Let's find out what unschooling is and explore everything that parents, like you, need to know about this technique.

You also might be interested: Homeschool vs Public Education: A Complete Guide for Parents

In the most straightforward sense, the definition of unschooling is a life without school.

Before the violent reactions come in, try to hear us out.

Unschooling is an idea that rejects the concept of traditional education. In this process, you don't send your children to a school nor create a curriculum to teach them at home, as observed in homeschooling.

The unschooling movement started in the 70s when educator John Holt expressed his dissatisfaction with the conventional classroom learning method. Two of his books, namely "How Children Fail" and "Learning All the Time," became foundational beliefs nowadays to many homeschoolers.

The unschooling method does not rely on curriculum. Contrary to other conventional learning systems that follow a fixed and often blanket solution process (or one-size-fits-all), the point of unschooling is to tailor fit the learning to every child.

At the very core of the unschooling "curriculum" is that kids can learn whatever interests them. In the same sense, they can reject or decide not to learn the lessons that do not pique their interests.

It's pretty easy to understand why some parents are skeptical about this child-led education approach. But other guardians who wish to have complete control over their kids' learning are all ears to the idea.

Homeschooling vs. Unschooling: What's the Difference?

How does unschooling differ from homeschooling?

While both practices are often executed in the home, their level of similarity usually ends there.

Homeschooling is more similar to conventional classroom education than unschooling. When you homeschool a child, you create a school-at-home environment that mimics a regular classroom. On top of that, you choose a learning curriculum that you deem fit for your child's learning needs and pace.

The only difference is that you, as a parent, still take the reins on what and how your children must learn based on your observation.

In unschooling, you let your kids choose their own education. You trust that children will choose to learn when they are ready and interested, even though that often means having a different timeline from regular schooled kids.

In other words, what children learn is not based on a parent's notion of what is essential to learn at a certain point in time. Instead, you let their natural curiosity drive their desire and hunger to learn and expand from that point forth.

Honestly, the concept of unschooling reminds me of a quote from Mark Twain, which I've come across before:

"I never let my schooling get in the way of my education."

All technicalities aside, unschooling may still be considered one type of homeschooling. Because parents still technically take the responsibility of teaching from the hands of educational institutions.

How does Unschooling Work?

The typical point of contention when talking about unschooling is the fact that children decide what to learn and when they want it. However, underneath the arguments of those against unschooling is the notion that kids are incapable, people need to tell them what to do, and learning is passive.

The truth is that unschooling is not "instruction-free" learning. As Joel Hawthorne once said of unschooling:

"Unschooling is primarily about process not content. The process of learning, the process of knowing yourself, openness, confidence, self-determination, independent thinking, critical thinking….none of which one gets when following other people's agenda. Making one's own agenda is what it is all about. This is done not in isolation but in the context of one's family and community."

The primary difference stems from the process of knowledge acquisition — not what is to be learned. Unschooling does not mean that you allow children to twist and transform the facts on their own accord. They learn the same facts and develop their love for science or other subjects at their own pace, interest, and timing.

Learning then is not forced but flows freely.

Say a child wishes to learn arithmetic (operations on numbers), then parents can help support their kid's learning. For example, you can do this by explaining what numbers are, the process of computation, etc.

There is no dedicated place and time of day for education. Instead, learning becomes a part of everyday living.

What are the Pros and Cons of Unschooling?

Unschooling Benefits

Despite the public's disagreement with unschooling, why are parents choosing to pursue such a learning structure?

Here are the benefits you may reap from this increasingly popular educational method:

1. Unschooling fosters independence and confidence among kids

Unschoolers learn by exploring the fields that interest them the most, not concepts imposed on them by structures and people sharing different beliefs. Their natural curiosities drive their learning. As a result, unschooling encourages an independent, self-assured, and confident disposition among unschoolers.

They know the things they want to know. And they love the information stored in their brains.

2. It empowers children and parents

Trust is an empowering element in relationships. Imagine living a life based on trust versus one that's molded out of discipline. Everyone would gladly choose the former because it recognizes one's autonomy in making the right choices. Likewise, unschooling cultivates a trusting relationship between parents and children.

When unschooling, you'll be surprised how the level of trust can extend from education to other vital areas of their lives. You realize how capable kids are and begin to trust them even more for other matters. This new perspective of faith motivates children to be better and not waste the trust given them.

3. Learning motivation is at peak

Have you ever tried studying a subject you don't like? I often see my kids whine because they're having a hard time comprehending an uninteresting matter.

Learning motivation usually is high in unschooling. Kids choose to learn the things that they find interesting. Because of it, an unschooler seeks other ways to acquire more knowledge on the subject, which essentially is a lesson on its own. Plus, information retention is higher when you love what you're learning.

4. College is still a possible option

Unschooling still falls in the category of homeschool. Since the general idea of homeschooling and unschooling are closely related, you can still classify unschooling under homeschooling, even though there are technical differences between the two.

Homeschooling is lawful in all 50 States in the U.S. And most colleges and universities also admit homeschoolers into their institution. That said, unschooling is also considered legal and it's possible that unschoolers enter college.

Of course, it falls on children to decide which college education they find most suited to further their educational development.

5. The whole world is your children's school

Eli Gerzon coined a more descriptive version of unschooling, called "worldschooling." He described this as having the world itself as a child's whole school and not the school being a kid's entire world.

In unschooling, you learn from interactions with different people, cultures, ways of life, strangers of different backgrounds, and the internet. The beauty of unschooling is that there is no limit to learning because there will always be areas to explore.

Unschoolers learn from life itself in a hands-on, experiential manner. While parents guide and support them through the process.

6. Unschooling offers a safer learning environment

Since unschooling typically treads similar paths as homeschooling, they also benefit as safer options for children. In addition, unschoolers are with trusted family and friends, making socialization better and healthier. Although if a child's access to other peers is limited, this may also be a drawback.

speaking of which...

Unschooling Drawbacks

1. Potentially missing out on crucial information

Since unschooling follows a non-structured learning process, the likelihood of missing crucial information is possible. As observed in schools and homeschools, an educational framework helps in this regard. Nevertheless, with the right kind of guidance, you can still unschool your kids and cover all subject-centered learnings deemed essential for them.

2. Subject to more social criticism

Homeschoolers have had their share of criticism in the past. Most kids find homeschoolers weird because of their intense passion for discussing specific topics. Although it is good, others still find homeschoolers odd for this reason.

Similarly, unschoolers may also suffer from such criticism because it is an unconventional approach. Others may criticize kids due to their intense learning-passionate disposition that sprung up from a positive learning environment. Unfortunately, parents are not free from such criticisms as well.

3. Parents need intense dedication

As parents, you should be physically present and as invested as your kids are. The parent's responsibility is to support, guide, and facilitate learning. Kids might be interested in one topic, but how they pursue it depends on the approach, you find fitting.

4. Children need to be self-motivated

Unschooling success highly depends on your child's curiosity, motivation, and drive to learn. One simple reason why classroom learning works is that most kids love structures and routines. However, in an unschooling setup, learning takes place as long as kids are motivated and inspired.

How do Children Learn in an Unschool Setup?

Let me reiterate the point I've emphasized somewhere in the above text. Unschooling is not an" instruction-free" learning method. There are still factual, empirical contents to discover, but the process of acquiring these concepts varies.

In an unschooling setup, there are goals that parents need to set first. For example, what non-negotiable core concepts do you want your children to learn? Reading, budgeting, understanding legal documents, distinguishing signages?

Other examples of non-negotiable concepts include: knowing how to separate fact from opinion, think critically, do intensive research, and calculate (basic computations, percentages) and statistics (computing probabilities).

Unlike in a classroom setup where children learn through a series of interconnected lessons, in unschooling, students can learn independently or with parental support in an infinite number of ways.

For example:

Volunteering in a zoo can get kids acquainted with animals of all shapes and sizes.
Learning how to tear down and re-assemble a fan can be an excellent way to teach electronics.
Watching sci-fi movies like The Martian can open doors to interest in space or agriculture.
Building LEGOs can impart some math concepts, or playing with a kids' microscope can spark an interest in microbiology.

Every area of unschooling pursuits contains subject-centered learning if you know where to look. Each opportunity opens the door to access a vast pool of information. STEM toys are one example of tools that can kickstart their natural inquiry.

How to Get Started with Unschooling?

We recommend the following steps if you plan on unschooling your child:

Review your state's homeschooling laws. Since homeschooling is legal in all states, only some regulations and criteria differ from one state to another. Study how the nitty-gritty of unschooling can fit with your state regulations.
Imitate other unschoolers' examples for inspiration. There are quite an abundant number of practitioners which you can pattern for your child's learning. See what worked for them and assess if you may practice the same with yours.
Talk to your children about unschooling and discuss what it is and your education goals. Give them room to explore their interests too!
Recalibrate your approach if needed. Unschooling is still unschooling, even if you infuse a bit of framework to support your children's education. Is there a curriculum that you think is in alignment with their goals? Integrate it.

If your child goes to a school now, make sure to express your interest in unschooling your child via a formal letter to the school superintendent. Transitioning from a conventional learning environment to unschooling can be daunting for kids. This process is what experts call "de-schooling."

Let your children embrace and immerse in the transition. After that, their expression of their passion will come naturally.

Ways to Determine Unschooling Success

Success looks different for everyone.

There is no clear-cut parameter or metric to determine a child's success in an unschooling environment.

According to Christopher Steinmeier, co-founder of Natural Creativity Center, not everyone recalls the technical lessons they've acquired from public schools. This means that the amount of information received is not necessarily a determinant for success. Instead, it is the skill to be an agile and responsive learner that directly influences success.

You determine unschooling progress based on the kids' goals and passions. Your envisioned outcome for them is the ideal goal, every step you and your children do to realize that vision is progress in themselves.

For example, before a painter splatters art in a canvas, they first create a mental picture of the outcome. Every streak of paint they make is a small step to achieve that mental image, a.k.a. The goal.

This is how success in unschooling is also measured.

FAQs

Is unschooling legal?

Technically speaking, unschooling falls under the category of homeschooling. Since homeschooling is legal in all 50 states, unschooling also is. However, there are state-specific regulations that govern homeschooling. Make sure to read the technicalities of each law first before pursuing unschooling, as some states might demand an approved educational framework first prior. In this case, it would not align with the confines of unschooling.

What are parents' roles in unschooling?

The role of parents in unschooling kids is critical. Parents are not responsible for imposing their will on what they think children should learn. The primary duty of parents is to provide support for a child's interests, encourage kids to discover, and facilitate relevant discussions to inspire more insights and reinforce their learning on a subject. These responsibilities should stem from trust in the child's learning preferences.

Key Takeaways

Homeschooling has had its era of scorn and skepticism before receiving legal support in all 50 states in 1993. Similarly, the concept of unschooling might share the same fate. It might seem like a non-conventional and ineffective approach to learning, but the families who practice such a technique argue otherwise.

If there is one aspect of unschooling that I love, it is eager to let children follow their greatest passions. Personally, I think this is the secret sauce to raising successful individuals who love what they do.

We hope this article helped you understand more about the definition of unschooling and how the unschooling method works!

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What is Unschooling? | Everything Parents Need to Know