Unschooling: What is it?

I have researched this subject for nearly two full years. My experience with unschooling and world schooling is a new and exciting one so far! I have been utilizing this method of home schooling with my daughter for two years. So, let me begin with a general definition of these two terms - there are many degrees within the unschooling community as to how flexible the 'non curriculum' is followed for each family. So, I will present the general definition of unschooling, then get further into the range of differing ways each family may interpret this definition. 

I'll finish with some recommended books, websites, ect which you can utilize to research the topic further if you are interested in trying this learning method with your child. In the end, any form of 'education' is for the purpose of giving the child or individual opportunities to learn new things in a variety of ways, and upon a wide variety of subjects and skills.

  "Unschooling" (according to Wikipedia)

Unschooling is an educational method and philosophy that rejects compulsory school as a primary means for learning. Unschoolers learn through their natural life experiences including play, game play, household responsibilities, personal interests and curiosity, internships and work experience, travel, books, elective classes, family, mentors, and social interaction. Unschooling encourages exploration of activities initiated by the children themselves, believing that the more personal learning is, the more meaningful, well-understood and therefore useful it is to the child. While courses may occasionally be taken, unschooling questions the usefulness of standard curricula, conventional grading methods, and other features of traditional schooling in maximizing the education of each unique child. 

The term "unschooling" was coined in the 1970s and used by educator John Holt, widely regarded as the "father" of unschooling.[1] While often considered a subset of homeschooling, unschoolers may be as philosophically separate from other homeschoolers as they are from advocates of conventional schooling. While homeschooling has been subject to widespread public debate, little media attention has been given to unschooling in particular. Popular critics of unschooling tend to view it as an extreme educational philosophy, with concerns that unschooled children lack the social skills, structure, and motivation of their peers, especially in the job market, while proponents of unschooling say exactly the opposite is true: self-directed education in a natural environment makes a child more equipped to handle the "real world."

According to the general definition homeschooling and unschooling are separate categories. Although, in my experience (since it is conducted via the home) I categorize it within a homeschooling method (which makes it much easier to explain, when I'm asked where Sarah goes to school or what grade she is in school). 

From there, within the 'unschooling' community there are many different 'camps' or particular degrees as to how "radical" each family can interpret this form of learning. As for me, I shy away from conflict and authoritarianism within anything, especially something as flexible as unschooling your child or children at home. But, via my research I came across these four people whom seemed to be experts/leaders on the topic within the unschooling community. Click through their links to learn more information about each person and unschooling. 

Leaders within the Unschooling Community

While I was looking for books, YouTube videos, blogs, FB pages, and websites to research unschooling or leaders within the unschooling communities - It seemed that at this time there are only a handful of leaders or people who are creating some leadership for the unschooling community. These are the following people whom I've ran across so far in my research upon the topic.

Sandra Dodd

Sandra Dodd has been unschooling her children most of their lives, and is an author of several books and handbooks about unschooling/radical unschooling and her experience, she also runs her own blog and website, and I've found many YouTube videos of her discussing unschooling.

Joe Martin and Dayna Martin

Joe Martin and his wife Dayna are administrators for a Radical Unschooling group on Facebook, and Dayna is a 'radical' unschooling mother and author of several books on the topic. They have YouTube videos talking about their unschooling experiences, radical unschooling, and also answer questions on the topic.

Laurie Coutier

Laurie A. Couture is an Attachment Parenting and Unschooling coach and public speaker and licensed psychologist - you can find her website here. She is the author of Instead of Medicating and Punishing, a book discussing ADHD and children, especially boys, in the traditional schooling environment and at home. She presents alternative approaches to addressing the issue through nurture and nature. She also has a YouTube channel where she uploads videos about her unschooling experience with her adopted son, and answers questions as to what is unschooling, and how do I do it with my child? I highly recommend viewing her video series on unschooling.

"So you want to unschool your child? Unschool yourself"

Video owned by: Laurie A. Couture

Videos I recommend 

related to alternative approaches to traditional school and why we need them

Sir Ken Robinson makes an entertaining and profoundly moving case for creating an education system that nurtures (rather than undermines) creativity.

Ted Talk video owned by: Ted.com

Here is an adapted talk from above by RSA Animate  

(Some important details are left out, so I suggest you watch the full lecture above first).

Video owned by: RSA Animate on YT

Unschooling: The New Class of Learning - EuroNews.com

video owned by: EuroNews (on YT)

Other Resources

- List of Unschooling related books on Amazon.com

- More videos on Unschooling from Unschoolers.org

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Posted in: General Unschooling Information and Resources, Unschooling: What is it?