What is Unschooling?

In my family... Our kids don't go to school! So what do we do for education?

Radical unschooling.

What is unschooling?

Unschooling is considered to be a subset of homeschooling. Although, unschooling is homeschooling but homeschooling is NOT unschooling. The reason being, homeschooling = bringing school home. Unschooling is NOT school. Not in the sense that most people understand the term.

Unschooling is, yes, an educational choice, BUT it is so much more than that!

Unschooling is an entire way of life. This way of life focuses on automomy, mutual respect, connected, secure relationships, and trust in biological norms. It is, basically, an extension of parenting.

If unschooling is just an extension of parenting and not homeschooling, how do the children learn what they need to learn?

It's quite simple really. How does a babe learn to sit, crawl, and walk? How does a toddler learn to speak? Do we force little ones to learn these things? No, we do not. We interact with them. We model what we want them to learn (or naturally model it without knowing it). We provide a safe, well rounded environment. We build a secure, connected relationship with them. We sing to them, play with them, take them places with us.  We nurture and love them. We LIVE.

Yes, but how do older children learn what they need to learn if you do not force them to? 

Unschoolers do not sit down at set times to do lessons & testing. Unless of course the child chooses to. Each dynamic is unique to the family structure & their natural flow. Children are natural born learners. Little sponges eager to experience life and intent on growing. Unschooling parents understand this, and trust in the biological norms. We simply provide a well rounded environment, a secure, connected relationship, and then follow their lead! We do not focus on what we think they "should" learn & when they "should" learn it. We trust that they will learn exactly what they need to, exactly when they need to know it.

My description of unschooling is not the best you will find, and to be honest it is difficult to describe accurately to those who do not already live this way of life. But if you stick around, I believe you may have a better idea of what it really looks like. At least for us. Like I said, each dynamic is different.

If you would like to know more about unschooling, I will be posting tons more about it over time, and I am *always* willing to answer any questions you might have.

Happy day everyone! ♡