UnSchooling?

Question

What exactly is unschooling and how do you go about it? I have a preschooler that I am trying to homeshool, but hard working with his ADHD, and a Kindergartener in Public school (but wanting to pullout). THANKS

Answer 1

Unschooling is an educational philosophy, NOT a practice. It's a point of view, not a method.

Unschooling has nothing to do with structure or 'letting kids do what they want' or whether there's a curriculum involved.

Unschoolers focus on teaching their children to be self-sufficient, self-confident and self-directing. Unschoolers do not try to fill their children with as much knowledge as possible, but with a passion for learning and life. They help their children aquire the knowledge they need to fulfill that passion for life and learning.

Unschooling is not really popular in our current society, because it's our cultural belief that children will not learn if we don't make them. And the term unschooling makes people think that it means not-learning, which is completely opposite the unschooling philosophy that children and people are always learning. It's part of human nature.

Lots of homeschooling families incorporate the concepts of unschooling in their lives without being self-defined unschoolers. It's all good, really. So long as a child is able to pursue their passions and be their authentic selves, what does it matter what we call it?

So, here's some links to get you started. Good luck!

Answer 2

There are many approaches to unschooling. There are some who are completely laissez-faire and just let their kids do whatever and expect them to learn without any parental involvement. Many are quite dedicated, however, and work hard to provide resources (specifically with a technique called "strewing" which is great for any home, not just unschooling/homeschooling), set up field trips, help the kids in whatever way they want to be helped, etc.

Unschooling, when approached in a way that best suits the child, can work quite well for an ADHD child because they tend to have hyper-focus on areas that interest them. With some kids, though, unschooling is not quite structured enough and their ADHD is severe enough that they aren't capable of staying focused on anything. You'll need to decide where his ADHD is in the spectrum.

Also, at the preschool age, the primary focus could very easily be on working on those attention and self-control skills and less the academic stuff. There are lots of books and advice out there, with simple things like seeing just how long a child can sit still then try to use a timer to have him stay focused for just 30 seconds or a minute longer.

Answer 3

Hi, I believe the motive why unschooling isn't very quite simply outlined is since it's specified to each and every loved ones. Families who unschool might accomplish that within a big spectrum of folks who deliver complete manage of the schooling into the fingers of the baby - to those that comply with the lead of the baby and construct up finding out events round their pursuits. Where might you wish to suit? Also, Unschooling does not imply that no textbooks are allowed. It simply signifies that the course taken is extra directed by way of the baby - if Maths is their curiosity - a e-book/CD/DVD/Teacher can be located suitable to aid the baby get wherein they wish to be. One query which you can also have to don't forget earlier than you are taking in this system is : Why will have to I unschool? Up to this factor, you've gotten been homeschooling - what do you wish to acquire by way of unschooling them? What are the frustrations that you just wish to deal with by way of unschooling them? What is it that you just wish to reap by way of unschooling them? Lately, I have spent plenty of time considering objectives of schooling and specified loved ones objectives. I consider that it's fairly most important for you as a loved ones to understand wherein you're headed, what you wish to acquire, the way you wish to expand your baby's pursuits and expertise.. and many others. If you realize your objectives, you have to determine some way where you'll acquire them -via whichever system that fits your loved ones. At the top of the day, I consider it's greater so that you can create the system which fits your loved ones and the objectives you place. Why do not you seem at what you're doing now and investigate it - what facet do I like and wish to hold - what's/is not operating? Write down what you wish your kids to be fairly in a position in and consider of fascinating approaches to get there. Write down a record of the matters you needed you might do together with your kids. Ask your kids to put in writing a record of what they fairly love. Although, that is written by way of a Christian, you might take out the "devout" bits and use the understanding to layout an system which fits you.

Answer 4

Unschooling does refer to homeschooling your child, or more specifically, creating a child-driven education. Personally, I am homeschooling my nephews and they are thriving. Check with your state about the legal requirements because they do vary in required education of the parent or primary educator. As far as needing to be around other kids, scientists are proving that social interaction does not become necessary until they reach the pre-teen and teen years when forming those relationships are necessary. Think about this--the past four winners of the national spelling bee and the geography bee have all been homeschooled. If you do it right and for the right reasons your child can thrive in a self-driven environment.

good luck.

Answer 5

Wow! i have to second both Tammy and Glurpy for their excellent answers. we unschool in our household, and it's totally child led interests. When we first started, that meant that they told me their interests and I found all the stuff to do around them. As they've deschooled, and become confident in their abilities, they've really taken over a lot of that.

My oldest (eleven yo) is into electronics, and he takes apart all kinds of things, and that's also led into mechanics of stuff. He's learned algebra and electricity from that, including all of the formulas and such that people hate to learn in high school. He built a trebuchet for his scout patrol's annual mudball fight. My younger kids are like, seven, six and five, and they are reading all the time, they all taught themselves to read before five from us reading together. They've learned math from shopping and stuff, and they will ask me questions that blow my mind....like my six year old telling me out of the blue "Mom, what's the word for the biggest number in the world?" When i said infinity, she said "Oh, so it's a number so big that there are no numbers for it!" Then turned to her sister and said "Emi, there's a number so big that your puny mind could not comprehend it!" Bwahahaa!

PreK would focus more on building up his natural skills, building his confidence, etc. Reading lots to him, and taking him out on field trips to really spark his interests in things.
It is a lot of work. I have two autistic children, and we have a lot of structure in our house, rather than radically unschooling, because most of our kids need structure. However, one concern with autism is their rigidity, so we have worked hard to get them to be flexible not only in schedule but also in going places, etc. We are always traveling about, and they learn so much from talking to other people.

It is work, like I said, but it's definitely not the lazy way to homeschool, you have to constantly be on your toes, strewing items and info around, and be knowledgeable about their interests or ready to drop everything you're doing to help them find the answer to their questions....which reminds me I have to google some stuff right now!

Answer 6

first of all i hope you're getting the child medicine that has ADHD before you try to send it to school. and yes you should send your children to public school because they develop more skills in public school. as for unschooling i have no ideal as to what it is. There is a law that will help you get your child with ADHD taken care of in school. It is considered a handicaped child and they have to make special effort to educated the child. You may have to talk to the school about this at some time.

Answer 7

I'm glad my parents didn't let me drop out of kindergarten. And that's why unschooling is - dropping out but not really teaching anything in return. Don't do it - make your kids learn math and science and how to read. They'll need it later in life if they ever want a real job. If you can teach them everything they'll need, great.