Follow this link to read what some parents say unschooling means to them! Then check out the wonderful essay on unschooling by our own Bronwen Felesina.
*Basically that the human animal is a learning animal; we like to learn; we need to learn; we are good at it; we don't need to be shown how or made to do it. What kills the processes are the people interfering with it or trying to regulate it or control it.* John Holt (from an interview for Mothering magazine)
"Unschooling" is a term commonly used to describe a homeschooling situation where family members understand and believe the above statement. *Natural learning* and *child-led learning* are also words used to describe this philosophy. Often it is said that unschooling children are free to learn like adults learn; choosing what, when, how, where, and why they learn things. Often it is said that unschooling children are free to continue learning as they did before they were school age; exploring the world insatiably with wonder and joy. A child has mastered his mother language, social norms, physical skills, innumerable brain, heart and body connections by the time he is six. Unschoolers ask why, at six, do we believe they somehow have lost the innate human ability to learn what's needed and need to be "schooled" and "taught"? The natural way of learning and living- the way babies do- the way adults do- the way humans do when unhindered by other's ideas of what they should know or be, is also the most efficient way. Unschoolers see time and time again that their children learn so thoroughly and joyously what is important to them. We see our children getting ready to be adults not by "practicing" what they "might need later- in the real world", but by actually BEING in the real world- making real decisions that effect their present and future in real ways. Life "outside" is not really about name brand tennis shoes or essays about what you did last summer, and our kids know it. We trust and see that the keys to a person's thoughts, feelings and life path are held deep within their own heart, and that only they know which direction they need to go. We trust our child's choices. It might be Shakespeare or it might be the Simpsons! We make ourselves, our confidence, and our resources available to our children while they are traveling along. Unschooling families are as different as individual people, but one thing they have in common is a desire to trust, believe in, encourage and support each other. These concepts are easy to read, but hard to put into practice. Sometimes it seems that everything we have been exposed to about children and learning is in direct opposition to ideals of unschooling. After all, most of us spent our childhood years in school!
SUN was created to offer a way to support and encourage each other as we develop faith and trust in our children and ourselves. Please join us!
