Things You'll Need:
- the ability to think outside of textbooks, pencil, and paper
- willingness to explore unconventional learning techniques
- commitment to learning from experience, exposure, and interests
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Step 1
Unschooling does not have a clear cut definition. It is about learning rather the processes of teaching through conventional methods such as textbooks and "busy work." George Bernard Shaw said, "What we want to see is the child in pursuit of knowledge, not knowledge in pursuit of the child." While unschooling is uniquely implemented from family to family, it is important to know what unschooling is not. Unschooling is not a lack of educating, nor is it a lack of attention to a child's educational growth. The focus is simply directed toward a wide range of learning opportunities that allows the child's intellectual curiosity to play an active role in his education. We learn by doing and by application.
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Step 2
For your child to successfully unschool, the most important aspect for parents to understand is a total commitment to a learning-rich environment. Keeping in mind that children begin learning from day one it is reasonable to expect that they are constantly ready and receptive to learning new things if the opportunities are available to them. This is your responsibility. You will need to be ready to invest your time and attention to providing opportunities that correlate to their interests.
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Step 3
All learning connects the core subjects such as math, science, language and writing skills. As an example, if your child has an interest in baseball help them learn how batting averages and pitcher ratings are determined. Encourage them to watch movies and read books on the historical origins, events, and people in baseball. Science plays a role in what materials are used to make baseballs, why certain woods are used for bats, and the dynamics of different pitches. Your child learns through his interest. The tools to explore as much of that interest as possible must be supported by the parent.
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Step 4
A wonderful benefit of unschooling is that it encourages parents to take an active role in their child's learning. Rather than the established method of putting them in front of a textbook, where parents then exit the educational process, unschooling can allow families to explore new interests and current issues together.
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Step 5
The hardest part for many parents to grasp is the lack of an established, conventional curriculum. In fact, if your child clearly benefits from that structure then there is no need to change it. However, if you are struggling to get your child more involved and enthusiastic about learning then unschooling might be an option you should explore. Unschooling can be a tremendous approach for students who flourish when allowed to think outside the box and color outside the lines. Don't confuse a freedom to explore interests as a lack of discipline. Rather, it is to direct her focus on a variety of ideas and knowledge found within any topic of interest. They are still dependent upon us, as parents, to provide what they cannot provide for themselves and to direct them when they have not yet gained the life experience to find a clear path. Unschooling should encourage young minds to learn how to take their interests to the next level and see every topic from many sides. As she continues to mature and learn in an environment of opportunities, she will be developing the skills for independent and critical thinking.
