Unschooling Learning Life Style ©

Resources and Tips for the Unschooler In Houston

Welcome to the freedom of Unschooling

What is it?

Well by strict definition one might say that unschooling is a non-traditional or non-standard style of acquiring knowledge. That is, there are no schedules, no curricula, no testing and no pressure. Children are left to their own devices and are not taught, and as a result do not learn. Or learn at a decidedly slower and less thorough rate than their traditionally educated peers.

This definition fits what most people who do not Unschool would probably give you on any given day.

However, it is not entirely true.

Unschooling is the root of all learning or teaching styles. Unschooling assumes that children can learn and love to learn. What unschooling does not assume is that all children must learn the same things at the same times, nor that any given subject must be taught in the same way, if taught at all.

Hence, unschooling needs no formulated curricula or ridgid schedules.

Unschooling is free form learning, usually interest directed. The parent, believe it or not, might be the sole instigator of the interest. That is, the parent might suggest a subject that the child had not previously been exposed too. Then the child's own interest is awaken and learning happens.

Free form learning or child led learning is a viable way for children to be taught. The question becomes not what the child hasn't learned, but what the child is learning. The traditional Three Rs are developed as desired tools to help facilitate what the child wants to accomplish. Information is retained not by rote repetition but through use.

Because the learning style and learning goals are re focused, the teaching style is also transformed. Teaching becomes an adventure rather than a walk down the same well trodden paths. Parents can learn new things as they help their child. Co-operation and communication skills are developed in the child as well as the parent as they both work together to further their mutual goals.

Testing becomes unnessesary.

The child and the parent explore each subject to what ever ends they

Unschooling is freedom