Unschooling

Unschooling is more than just not going to school. It is following your child’s interests to get the most out of learning through living.

What is Unschooling?

Unschooling is trusting the learner to be in charge of his or her own learning. It is not a method of instruction we use on our children, but a process we adults go through to unlearn the lessons and undo the effects of our years of schooling.

A Paradigm Shift

Abandoning the institution of school and taking a natural learning approach is really a paradigm shift. Most people will not understand that natural learning does not involve children following a curriculum, taking exams, being socialised (through peers), using textbooks, etc. At best they will think that you are a bit daring, slightly unusual, experimenters.... at worst they will think that you are dangerous, putting your kids at risk or should be reported.... How can you show them that natural learning is OK?

Language Arts and Unschooling

A former high school English teacher shares some of the ways that reading, writing, and grammar are learned naturally through living.

Family Unschoolers Network

The Family Unschoolers Network promotes the belief that learning can be fun for the whole family. With resources, information, books, articles, and reviews, you will find support and knowledge about how to implement a self-learning/unschooling philosophy into your homeschooling.

Can a Single Parent Unschool?

These days, many parents find themselves alone, whether by choice or by circumstances. Many of these parents assume that homeschooling is not an option for them, but like many other assumptions, this can be self-fulfilling. Happily, homeschooling in single parent families is easier now than it has ever been. With commitment, creativity and support, single parent homeschooling can be not only possible, but very rewarding. Unschooling addresses the needs of both the homeschooling parent and the child in a single parent household.

Why the Future of Education is Unschooling

According to John Holt, unschooling allows children the freedom to learn in the world on their own terms. He saw no distinction between learning and living a meaningful life. Learning is a natural process and works best when integrated into the spaces and activities of everyday life. This article takes a look at some of John Holt's philosophy of education and explains why unschooling is often the very best choice of educational model.

Unschooling from an African-American Perspective

A look at unschooling as a philosophy of life from an African-American perspective.

You Might Be An Unschooler If…

A short list of some of the ways unschoolers learn through living.

African American Unschoolers (AfAmUnschool) Email Group

African American Unschoolers email group is for African-American homeschoolers who use the whole world as their child(ren)'s classroom.

A Few Words About Unschooling Math

A wonderful list of things that can lead to math learning.

I Am What I Am

A mother of an exceptional child discusses why homeschooling is the right choice for their family. A personal look at the joys of learning and growing together through an unschooling philosophy of life.

Against School

This essay was written for the Harper's Magazine forum, "School on a Hill." John Taylor Gatto discusses how public education cripples our kids and why.

Deschooling on the Road

A homeschooling mom travelled 3500 miles cross-country with her son and found educational experiences in some unexpected places. Drives home the point that learning can happen in many different ways and that we cannot always plan how our children will learn.

How do Unschoolers Turn Out?

Is unschooling successful? This article details the results of surveys of unschoolers, looking at their experiences as children and their successes as adults, including pursuing higher education and careers. The authors of the survey conclude that unschooling works well when there is high levels of family engagement and involvement, there is effort at social connection, and a dedication from both parents and children to work together to further their educational goals, while still learning freely.

Homeschool Parents Don't Need to Be Teachers

Instead of needing parents to be teachers, kids need teachers to get out of the way of their learning. Homeschooling is not about a teacher-student relationship. There are people who are trying to recreate school at home. For the rest of us, though, we an see the school model is broken, and we are not recreating it at home. For us, homeschooling is about the parent-child relationship.

Unschooling or Homeschooling?

What is the difference between unschooling and homeschooling? At one time they were just two terms for the same thing, so the question was like asking what the difference is between a car and an automobile. Today, homeschooling has remained a generic term while unschooling has come to refer to a specific type of homeschooling. So now the question is like asking what the difference is between a Ferrari and a car. Just what is it about unschooling that differentiates it from other types of homeschooling enough to warrant its own term?

Unschoolers' Circle

The Unschoolers' Circle is an inclusive list for anyone interested in home education with unschooling leanings.

Fun Books

To produce life-long learners, we need to show our children that learning is not just something that they get graded on or that only happens during certain hours of the day or certain times of the year. We need to help them hang on to the natural joy of learning that every child is born with, to help them see that learning new things is fun, and to help them realize that learning can take place anywhere and at anytime. Fun Books has put together a catalog of books, games, and other materials to help you in your efforts to produce life-long learners.

Unschooling.com Email List

This discussion list is the companion communications forum for the Unschooling.com website.

Radical Unschoolers List

This is the "Radical Unschoolers List". It is for all families, regardless of religious affiliation, choosing to unschool. Unschooling is learning as a part of life. It allows the child to learn naturally, without adult-imposed "lessons", schedules, or timelines. This list is to offer support, information, perspective, and enlightenment to anyone already unschooling or interested in unschooling.