Unschooling: the Rejection of Formal Education

What is unschooling? This term coined by author John Holt is the newest trend in education-- a step down from the often-criticized homeschooling. Those who support this new 'live free, learn free' philosophy suggest that children are not idiots who need to be taught how to think.

Unschooling allows children to direct their own educations according to their interests, needs, and goals, and uses parents to simply act as "facilitators" in the learning process by providing the resources, support, and instruction if the child asks. Unlike most homeschooling parents, unschooling parents do not purchase a curriculum and tailor it to fit their child's needs and learning styles. There is no formal method of education in unschooling, unless the child requests for it. Also referred to as natural learning, child-led learning, discovery learning, autodidactic learning, and child-directed learning, the unschooling system suggests that structured education systems unnecessarily interfere with the natural learning processes of children.

What do unschoolers do? According to www.unschooling.com these free will students "read, play, sing, dance, grow things, and write. They do things that interest them and bring them joy." Or, as critics say, they enjoy preschool activities in lieu of school work. Unschooling parents insist that their children learn from the real world. Some even assert that if their children are only interested in one thing, they are allowed to focus on that one activity and build strength in it.

So does this 'fly by the seat of your pants' approach to learning prepare children for college and career? Critics say no. And, that argument does not suggest that the children are stupid and need a strict learning curriculum. It's much more practical. Many argue that when a child has had instruction from no one other than himself, he is not prepared as a young adult to take instruction from others. It's like the kindergarten struggles a lot of parents face when they take a child to school for the first time. A child has to adapt to a teacher. Moreover, unschooled children are not as disciplined as schooled children. They do not learn study skills and often have difficulties adapting in structured environments.

Unschooling is becoming very popular and claims followers in every U.S. state. Critics agree that if a child is allowed to learn only from his natural curiosity, there will be large gaps in his knowledge base.

Because the system of education a child uses is at the parent's discretion, it is also the parent's responsibility to ensure that learning is taking place. Regardless of the system used, we as parents need to know that our children are ready for the real world-- that is, the world of higher education and career, not of playing games and singing kid songs. Here's a challenge for all parents. Make sure your child gets the best possible education. Besides we live in a country that offers a public one free of charge.