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.