Unschooling, a Risky Approach

Unschooling can be a very risky method of homeschooling. The assumption is made that a child can determine what, when, and how things should be learned. This is so the child can follow their natural abilities and talents. That sounds like a pretty amazing and easy way to allow a child to reach their own destiny, but is it? What problems may come with this kind of situation?

~ Education should be well rounded ~

Sammi hates math. She has no desire to learn about numbers what-so-ever. It's been explained thoroughly that is a necessity of life, but Sammi, at the grand age of 13 knows her destiny and calling in life. She isn't a fictional character, but a child who has participated in unschooling.

Hitting the "real world" after unschooling it bound be a challenge, at least for Sammi. True to the nature of unschooling she has not had to deal with math.

General education on all subjects is part of being a contributing member of society. This too, should be part of an education. Unschooling completing ignores the theory.

~ Resources may not be at hand ~

A child wants it and wants it right now. So today he may be interested in science and want to create some wonderful experiment. By the time the supplies are gathered and ready his attention span has moved on to another subject. It's almost impossible to be prepared on any day to teach a child on any interest they may show. Some direction or patience has to be a part of any educational experience.

~ Proper use of time ~

Teaching the proper use time is easily demonstrated with deadlines and schedules. Unschooling doesn't fit well into this mold. In fact, one of the premises of unschooling is no time restraints. That rarely translates to doing well in a job later in life.

~ Some children may not see the big picture ~

Some students are considered highly gifted students and they love math and science. They enjoy reading, but they do not like writing. They had to be forced to write. It is a necessary skill and as smart as they are, they still had to be forced. A resume may be something that is required when they venture from the home school to adult life.

Each child may know what they are most interested in, but they may not be able to determine what education may benefit them most. That may be the job of the more mature and educated parent.

~ Teaching with only this method is very hard ~

This is not an easy way to teach. It's not easy to give free reign to a child to determine your activities. Unschooling lets them determine time frames, subjects and projects. That is a lot of self control to release all this to a child. Every parent doesn't have the skills to teach this way.

Unschooling may have a place and a time, but as the only method it is not fair to the child.