What Is It About Unschooling?
The word 'unschooling' is a type of home schooling
, also known as natural learning, experience-based learning or independent learning. It is not a method but a holistic way of looking at how we learn since learning can take place anywhere and in everything.
Unschooling allows the child to dictate what they want to learn and when, without formal structure or educational interference. It is based on the belief that children are capable of directing their own learning and education and that they discover and retain much more when the learning springs from their own interests.
The parent's role in unschooling is that of a guide and facilitator and is extremely hands on. Your job is to find out what your children want to know and help them gain access to the things, which interests them. It takes the form of really listening to what your children want, answering endless questions and searching for countless ways, resources and people who can help broaden their knowledge.
Many people are understandably skeptical of this type of learning, since the only learning model they have experienced so far is that of a public school system. This formal way of learning has become so ingrained within us that we tend to forget that before this, children were being taught and learning all the time, just not in such a rigid way.
By simply living life, many of the skills people have acquired over time has been as a result of watching and doing.
When unschooling note that the learning is interest led so go with your child's interest and allow him to take the lead in what he wants to learn.
When people ask What do you do? Tell them that we follow our interests - and our pursuits invariably lead to science, literature, history, mathematics, music - all the things that have engaged people long before anybody thought of them as 'subjects'
When learning a subject instead of skimming the surface. Why not delve deeper and explore all aspects of his interest. Exhaust every avenue until he becomes bored and decides to move on. Often one interest can lead to another and incorporate different parts of the curriculum.
Use all five senses when exploring a topic. Not just sight and sound but taste, touch and smell.
Do not try to 'make kids think' or use every opportunity to make them learn something. They WILL learn something at their own pace and at every opportunity. If they ask you questions and you know the answers tell them. If not, help them to find it. Speculating about an answer can often lead to a good conversation in which the child draws their own conclusion or comes up with the answer themselves.
Do not worry about how fast or slow they are learning. Your children will grow and learn at their own speed, and you must trust the process even though it looks like they are not learning anything at all.
They are like seeds planted in good ground You do not keep digging up the seeds to see if the roots are growing as that disrupts the natural growing process. Believe that your children are learning and at the right time all the understanding and knowledge gained will come to the forefront when needed.
As with anything this type of learning is not for everyone. It depends on the nature of the child and family circumstances. Some families may feel better with some form of structure and that is fine. However unschooling does provide a viable alternative to those wishing to pursue it
by: Ryan Round
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