Monarch butterflies are often studied in homeschool. Wikimedia Commons
Unschooling, a term coined by author John Holt, is a form of child directed learning. Many individuals unfamiliar with homeschooling seem to think that unschooling and parental neglect are one in the same. This is untrue. Many educational philosophies incorporate child directed learning. Maria Montessori’s methods are child directed. No one claims children attending a local Montessori school are doing nothing.
Why the attack on unschooled homeschoolers? Perhaps it is a lack of understanding. It could be the misinformation about unschooling and homeschooling that the National Education Association (NEA) circulates. The NEA is against homeschooling. Their sole mission is to promote public schools and they look to seek and destroy all that oppose them. Either way there is too much misinformation about unschooling.
How does unschooling work? Unschooling works best with self directed learners. Not all children fall into this category. However, every child has likes and dislikes. It is easier to facilitate learning in a subject a child is interested in than one that they are not. Unschooling allows a child to follow their interests and learn at the same time. By focusing the learning experience around a child’s interest, they retain and learn more, and there is less of the parent-child power struggle to deal with.
Child directed learning is a very effective way of teaching. Anyone who criticizes this method but has not read Teach Your Own, by John Holt Or The Absorbent Mind, by Maria Montessori cannot truly understand what child directed learning or unschooling means. There is no reason to turn a homeschool into a miniature public school classroom situation. Children are individuals and they have different learning styles. Unschooling or child directed learning allows for the parents to recognize those differences and to use them to offer the best learning experience possible for the child. Both John Holt and Maria Montessori understood that children are generally curious and seek out learning opportunities on their own. It is our job as parents to help them learn and grow. Here is Sandra Dodd’s video that discusses unschooling.
Does unschooling work? Absolutely. Many successful homeschoolers were unschooled. It may not work for everyone but it fills the educational needs of many children. Perhaps if homeschool is becoming difficult, read one of the books mentioned above and give unschooling a try or perhaps check out Sara McGrath's unschooling examiner page.
National Education Association
The Absorbent Mind, Maria Montessori
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Comments
I homeschool my kids and find it interesting how many different methods there are. We don't unschool any of the kids, but as you mentioned, not all kids learn the same. I think any well-designed educational program is designed with the individual child in mind.
The NEA, and its sister groups are mouthpieces for the techer's unions, and othe rteacher organizations. They are no mroe interested in quallity education, or the well being of the chidren entrusted into their care, than United AUto Workers is interested in building better cars, or the government unions ar einterested in a streamined efficient government, which effectively serves the public.
Thank you for the very informative and interesting video from Sandra Dodd. I really enjoyed watching it and felt inspired to incorporate more creative learning in my own homeschooling.
Thanks everyone for your comments. I try to show that there are many methods to teaching our children. That is the beauty of homeschool. We can do what works best for our kids.
"Unschooling works best with self directed learners. Not all children fall into this category."
Actually, unschooling works for all children, just not all parents. Most parents can't or won't do what it takes to unschool.
All children are natural born learners. The term "self directed learners" isn't a very apt descriptor of unschooling. It implies that there is something that children must direct in order to learn. Children learn, humans think, it's how people are designed.
I have a very different view. I along with my 8 siblings were "unschooled". Sure if you plan to live a sheltered life that works, but try to enter college. I've had to fight my way to everything. Getting in the AirForce a few years back. Then getting into a regular college, then university. Getting good jobs - not just jobs. It's been a struggle. I'm concerned because now that I have my own children, this is not an option I would choose for them. Will I home-school them - yes, probably. But it will be a accredited program through a university. I want them to have all the oppertunities that they can, and I believe that starts with a good foundation of schooling including all subjects. Children need math, reading, writting, science, social, - they need all the subjects and you find that out when you go out into society and try to make a way for yourself. Parents need to realize that they are to prepare their children to be free-thinkers and that might include them not believing like them
DPN:
There is a difference between unschooling and allowing children to do as they please all day long. Also, as stated in my article unschooling is not for everyone - some children require a lot more structure. I feel for you and your situation. Perhaps your parents did the best they could. I know you will make the right choices for your children with regards to their education. Keep checking back for more articles on different types of homeschool styles and for reviews of online schools.
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