Unschooling means allowing your child to follow their natural curiosity whenever it comes to learning. This means a lot more family time so that questions can be asked and answered. It also means having the freedom to learn in the way that works best for your child without them having to compete with a lot of other children for attention.
The Decision To Unschool Elementary
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Many people start by researching homeschooling for one reason or another. In doing so many will accidentally stumble upon unschooling by accident. Once they do they find that this idea just feels right to them.
Staying On Track While Unschooling
This question assumes that there is a “track” that your child should actually be on. Unschoolers don’t have to strive for a specific learning goal. There are some things that a child will learn quickly and other things that your child will obsess about for weeks on end.
Unschooling Multiple Children
Parents find that it’s easy to unschool multiple children because it’s all allowing them to be curious and follow their interests. For instance, if your child loves to do art projects (i.e. painting, coloring) you can set up an “art studio” for them to play around and do their own projects.
This helps to foster independence within children so that you won’t have to continuously entertain them and thus you’ll have time to do what you enjoy as well, all while unschooling.
Adapting To Structure And Society
Unschool parents believe that the traditional school system doesn’t prepare children for real life. Therefore, they don’t feel as though their children are missing out on much by not completing what the government considers to be an “education.”
Instead, they feel that they are raising children to be flexible, free thinkers who can adapt to any situation. They also feel as though they are helping their children have a more creative life so that they can be anything they want. In the future, there will be plenty of time for them to learn to become a worker and even now children can learn these things as they participate in sports teams, formal classes and group instruction of their own choosing.
Providing A Well-Rounded Education
Parents need to be continuously looking for things that interest their children. They then need to look at how these things are a “teaching tool.” For instance, whenever you bake break, you are learning math, science, measurement and chemical reactions.
Social Interaction
Many unschoolers simply say that they are homeschoolers. This allows them to get the support they need without having to deal with a lot of questions. It also allows children to more easily interact with other children and partake in community activities.
Usually children won’t have any problem making friends because they will feel as though this child is “lucky” not to have to go to school. Of course, as parents we will have to face tough questions from other parents, which is fine as long as it’s done without judgment. While it is fine to disagree with this type of learning, it is still important to make sure that you are educated about it.
Computer Gaming
Some children want to do nothing but play video games all day long. Some unschoolers will allow this to go on while others do set time limits. Eventually, a child will get bored and do something else.
Other times there will be a boring day when these things are just what a child will do. There are also some parents who choose not to have it in their home so it won’t become a problem. Of course, there are also other parents who find educational value in these things.
Misconceptions
Most unschool children have responsibilities and are curious. Just because they are unschooled doesn’t mean that they have a “free for all” pass. These children really are able to learn a lot.
Unschooling Resources
You don’t have to spend any extra money just to unschool. Instead, you simply need to utilize the following resources:
- A library card allows you to check out books, movies and magazines that interest your child for free.
- Be on the lookout for free expos and events around town.
- Take advantage of other parents’ knowledge whenever possible.
- “The Unschooling Handbook” by Mary Griffith is a very inspiring book on unschooling that is full of practical information.