Education Styles: Unschooling
"We can best help children learn, not by deciding what we think they should learn and thinking of ingenious ways to teach it to them, but by making the world, as far as we can, accessible to them, paying serious attention to what they do, answering their questions—if they have any—and helping them explore the things they are most interested in."
John Holt
Unschooling is an unconventional homeschooling style that is based around a child-led model developed by John Holt . The student’s interests are of highest priority, as well as, incorporating intentional learning into daily life. Parents are facilitators to learning, rather than teachers, and learning is experiential, activity-based, with a goal to develop a love for learning inside of each child. Textbooks, tests, and strict schedules are generally avoided.
This style works for parents that thrive on flexibility and freedom to explore student's passions. Unschooling, when done correctly, is a very intentional and demanding style of learning for the parents, because learning is packed into every aspect of daily life. There are usually knowledge gaps due to the child leading the education, but is not worrisome with the foundations of this philosophy. Unschooling is difficult for new-to-homeschool families due to the lack of structure and inexperience, but can be powerful as it is adapted into action.
Books
How Children Learn by: John Holt
Teach Your Own by: John Holt
The Unschooling Handbook by: Mary Griffiths
The Relaxed Home School by: Mary Hood
Podcasts
Living Joyfully | Walking Together: Seeing The World Through Your Child's Eyes
The Unschooling Life | The Word Unschooling
Articles/Websites
Storiesofanunschoolingfamily.com- a plethora of resources including; blog posts, book recommendations, videos, podcasts, and information from deschooling & unschooling to family & parenting.
Unschoolingtouniversity- a hub of resources and references regarding the success of unschooling.