What do you think about unschooling your children? Do you agree that public schools are broken beyond a fix?

Question

Unschooling is a homeschool practice in which the parent allows the child to lead his or her own learning - to follow their own interests and to let those interests dictate what they pursue. Strewing - the practice of intentionally planting items of potential interest within easy reach of the child - is the primary mechanism for influencing the direction of interest.

Answer 1

children need instructions if its at a public school or a home school.

Answer 2

I think the negative answers you are getting regarding unschooling are because many people do not understand the term (even though you explained it)

It does not mean that the child is doing nothing, nor does it mean that the parent does nothing either. It is merely one of the many ways to educate a child.

Childrens brains are not empty containers into which information must be poured - rather, they are curious, wondering individuals who have an amazing capacity to figure things out and discover things for themselves.

I remember being a child and finding so many things interesting. Nature, insects, rocks, the stars, the clouds and weather, why the sky is blue, who were cave-men, where do all the bugs go in the winter, do chickens really run around when their heads have been cut off, why are there wars, why do some plants die in winter but others don't, why are no two snowflakes the same ......... the list was a long one. Those topics include Entimology, Astronomy, Meteorology, Geology, Anthropology, Botany, learning about the Central Nervous System.

Sometimes, when children go to school they will be learning things which do not interest them at that time, but how exciting to be a home-schooled child who can explore their world and follow their own interests, search for interesting rocks and then go to the library and find out what they are (marble, granite, obsidian etc) We can study other countries and cultures for as long as we like, we go to the park and collect leaves and insects. At the moment we are studying a fresh-water clam that we found in a local river, observing its bahaviour and feeding habits and then we will release it. There are no bells ringing to make us switch from something that interests and facinates her, to something that bores her.

I love Home-schooling my daughter, our days are interesting and we learn constantly. We un-schooled her until 4th grade and now, in the mornings, we follow a bought curriculum, which interestingly, she has no trouble completing. We work about 2 - 3 hours a day. My daughter is at grade level so what have those other kids been doing for the past 5 years (K-4), 6 hours a day, for week after week after week. . . . . . . ?

However, if parents decide to send their children to school, and they truly believe that it best for their childs growth and development, then they should send them. Meanwhile there will always be parents who want more for their kids.

Answer 3

I think whatever method that works best for the parents and child. Just like people that don't understand what homeschooling is (the ones that are all for ps), many do not understanding unschooling. Some people seem to think that unschooling means the child watches tv or plays video games, etc. That's not true. You find things your children are interested in. Most homeschool children are very interested in learning (something many ps people wont understand) and are great at leading their own learning. Also, homeschooling is not sheltering you child from the real world. We don't stay locked in our houses with curtains all closed, afraid to step outside. When my children were younger I decide I wanted to be a SAHM because I wanted to raise my kids. I didnt want to send them to day care where someone else was raising them and giving them their values, etc. After they started school I didnt realize at first that I was basically doing the same thing. My kids spent more time at school than they did with me. After many problems in PS I brought them home and now they are all happy and doing well and they have a lot of friends. I can keep a better eye on who my children are associating with. I know the other kids and their parents. As far as public schools being broken, I don't know if it is beyond repair, but it would take a lot of work. They'll never be able to offer the one on one, every child is different and learns differently. No matter what they do they will never be able to cater to each childs individual needs. Also, public schools will never be fixed if Parents don't start Teaching their children at Home at least the basics, such as respect, responsibility, and things like that. As for those that don't think parents are qualified to teach their children at home....we taught them to talk, walk, go to the bathroom, dress themselves, tie their shoes, and most of the time, the abc's, how to write their name, etc. Any thing else that we aren't sure about, you can always find it in a book. It's a lot of fun to learn new things together!!!

Answer 4

I like the concept of unschooling to a certain point. However, I do not think that it is wise to let a child totally dictate their education. In other words, I allowed my daughter (who is now 19 and attending college) to help choose her curriculum with my approval and guidance. She always had a say in what she wanted to study. Further, if she didn't like a certain subject that we were studying, I would allow her to stop studying that subject and switch to something in which she was more interested. She also controlled how in depth and how long she studied many topics... and by doing so, she usually chose to dwelve into subjects much further than I would have and studied for many more hours each day than I would have had her study. Therefore, I think that unschooling actually teaches a person how to become a self-learner and an independent thinker.

Answer 5

Unfortunately, I do believe that "our schools" are broken beyond repair. It only gets worse each year as teachers fear their students and students fear each other. Discipline is practically gone from the schools, and kids aren't taught at home to respect their teachers. I could ramble on for hours on this topic but I'll quit now.

Unschooling works well for some homeschoolers. I, however, prefer a curriculum to help me stay on track. I do alot of "tweaking" to make it fit our family. My kids and I would get too distracted if we didn't have guidelines.

Answer 6

Unschooling is fine if the child is young (under 7) and has already expressed an interest in letters and numbers.
- Children who don't learn to read by age eight seldom catch up.

At older ages continued unschooling is likely to:

- be 'unbalanced' eg lots of history and little math.
- prevent the child from persevering through a difficult area
- deny the child access to a subject they may be talented / interested in.
- prevent new interest areas from developing

In reality all children follow their own interests outside of school time.

Answer 7

I'm within the center such as you. The charter supplies for freedom of faith and freedom from state encouraged faith. If the person wishes to wish that is not disruptive that's quality. Even if a small organization wishes to satisfy on their possess time on university estate, earlier than magnificence, for the duration of lunch, and many others, and the assembly is not a disruption to university hobbies, then they've that correct. But the university will have to now not publicly lead university prayer. But I could like to peer comparative faith taught in university. Not a semester lengthy , only a week or goodbye research in sociology evaluating Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and many others. A standard research of important religions with significant followings as this is a sociological hindrance.

Answer 8

I say whatever works best for the child and parent. I believe my partner and I do both. My kids go to public school where they are doing well but when they get home whether they have homework or not they do some type of work appropriate for their age or what they are capable of doing. We do not believe in letting the school system be the only one to teach our kids. So no I don't believe the public schools are broken beyond repair. I believe it needs a little help.

Answer 9

I think sticking with a curriculum is best. This ensures that your child learns everything that needs to be taught. I don't think children know what is best for themselves, that's why there are parents! Maybe in addition to a good curriculum, there can be outings, field trips, activities, that relate to your childs interests. I think this would help develop their interests without sacrificing their schooling. I homeschool my kids and wouldn't want them learning too much of one thing and not enough of other subjects. As for public schools.......(sigh)

Answer 10

I go to public school but next year I am enrolling in a private boarding school by a scholarship and my choice. Not to brag but I do score exceedingly well and am at the top of my classes.
I love my school, but sometimes I do get frustrated at the lack of funds we are awarded. The teachers in my school are dedicated, and very helpful, but I drive my own knowledge wherever i go home-school or puvblic. The public school system to me is wonderful, but it may be different where u live and from ur point of view. But again as a student I chersih public school and the oppurtunity to make such aqquaintances as u only find in school

Answer 11

Well, I do not beleive in the public school system, I was in it for 4 years then I was home schooled. However.........I do not beleive in letting the children "direct" themselves as after all...........they are KIDS! All I can tell you is that with home schooling I scored in the top 97th percentile of national high school students. Home schooling can pay off in some BIG ways!