Unschooling - can someone explain?

[Just Add Water]

What's the difference between Homeschooling and Unschooling? Thanks.

[Ffrenchknickers]

Unschooling/Natural learning is homeschooling without such a set/structured/formal curriculum. It is basically child-led learning based on their interests/strengths/abilities and their environment. To be a registered (legal) homeschooler in our state you generally have to be following a curriculum (which can be one you have made yourself but n eeds to be approved.)

[Just Add Water]

So if you are doing unschooling does that mean that should they want to go into a regular school at a later date that they wont be at the same stage as the curriculum?

[Ffrenchknickers]

I am not sure, I guess it depends....on the child and the parent, there would be some who would be behind, some who would be on grade level and some who would naturally be ahead.

I followed a curriculum when I was homeschooling for that reason, just incase they went to school one day (which they did....) Most unschoolers I know are very anti-school or have strong beliefs towards the way children learn/don't learn and follow their philosphy to a tee and I guess would be less likely to send their kids to school anyway.

I think there are a couple of unschoolers on here who could probably share more :)

[AM]

Unschooling is a type of homeschooling.

Unschooling does not have a set curriculum, it develops as a child shows interest in something, it's a very organic process. There is not set time for a child to learn anything in particular, it is trusting that every child will learn as they have the interest and or need to.

It's about giving them access to as many resources as you can, giving them access to places, people, events, etc, and trusting that what they take from it is what they need to grow into their own person.

It's based a lot on trusting the childs basic impulses to learn, and being supportive of that.

For example, Jessica Watson (who completed her trip around the world) said when she was about 10 she wanted to sail around the world, so her parents supported her totally, together they worked out exactly what she would need to learn to be able to achieve this, so she had to learn to sail (duh!! haha), learn navigation, communications etc etc. Learning all that with a huge passion for the outcome made sure she coincidentally learned physics, maths, science, negotiation etc etc etc...

It's kind based on the fact that learning doesn't really work so well when it is imposed learning, as opposed to something fuelled by a need (say getting your drivers licence) or a passion, like Jessica.

[AM]

You can register legally and follow an unschooling 'curriculum' don't ask me how, but I know people who ahve done it, but lots more who have not registered!!

[Just Add Water]

Thanks for that :) I loved the idea of both of them, unfortunately though I don't think it's within my make up to be able to do it with my kids. apart from that our kids are the type who love school, a week of holidays is enough for them. They thrive on routine and knowing what's going to happen next. I guess part of me though would like to be aware of what other options are other there should they ever decide that school is not something they want to do traditionally.

We're pretty cruisy with our kids, they are able to explore areas others might frown upon but their life experiences to date are very different to most kids their age (their mother had a very troubled life and they have limited contact with her and are aware of her issues).

[zenifa]

You can register legally and follow an unschooling 'curriculum' don't ask me how, but I know people who ahve done it, but lots more who have not registered!!

Basically unschoolers that register (& its true that many homeschoolers and unschoolers don't register) will look at the curriculum of the state they live inor the national curriculum and try to show how they will use natural learning/unschooling to teach those subjects ie looking at everyday opportunities - eg maths can be learnt via cooking, shopping and other activities; science can be done via gardening, etc. Some will do this to satisfy the authorities and then just continue with unschooling and not follow any curriculum.

I think unschooling is easier if your children haven't been to school or really didn't like it. If your child has been to school and is taken out, then they need to have a period of adjustment and 'de-schooling' before they can get into the flow of self directed learning such as unschooling or natural learning.

Regarding 'knowing where you child is up to' if you don't follow a curriculum and test your child and they later want to go to school - its difficult to know where they are in relation to other kids, but as the parent you will know your child (hopefully) and what their strengths and weaknesses are and you can get educational support for that if they do go to school or do distance education.

Personally as someone who is a parent that is intending to home educate their kids from the natural learning perspective, at this stage we don't have any intention of sending our girls to school, however they might decide to when they are older and I'm not concerned at all in regards to that issue but we are still at the start of our homeschooling journey.

My DD1 has been doing pre-prep/kindy this year and its been interesting, as an unschooler she is way ahead of her peers at this stage (kindy teacher suggested skipping 1 or 2 grades if she were to go to school) in terms of all areas esp reading, writing, maths, science, language/vocab etc, as she is just very self motivated to learn and she is doing it all herself, so I trust her that she will learn everything she needs to and we (DH & I) will be there to support, guide and facilitate that.