What is YOUR opinion on unschooling?

Question

I am very interested in homeschooling. This is NOT a debate on whether or not to homeschool. I just want to know some informed opinions about this new "unschooling" business. Thanks!

Answer 1

For three years I homeschooled 2 boys (2-5 and 8-11) and a girl (9-12). We tried different ways to discover which worked best for each child. Unschooling turned out to be the best choice for the middle boy, who really couldn't focus on the same subject for long. Unschooling allowed him to make choices as to what interested him, and follow that. It only worked because he had a very wide range of interests, and we still managed to work "the basics" into his choices. However, the oldest needed a very structured format, because she did not have the same drive as her brother to explore the world around her. Learning styles are just as important at home as they should be at school.

Answer 2

I've never heard of "unschooling". I have heard of homeschooling and I feel it is fine. It was my choice to have my daughter in the public school system because I am not cut out to "teach" and the both of us would be miserable BIT CHES at the end of the day. Plus my working outside the home would have made it difficult as well. I've seen people who have tried to blend working outside the home and homeschooling and unless they are anally organized it doesn't work.

Answer 3

www.sandradodd.com has some great information about unschooling, including links to forums to discuss unschooling.

It has worked very well in our family. We did about six months of formal school-at-home, and then gradually moved into unschooling. It took the kids some time to find their own interests without being directed as they had their entire lives, but once they did their learning really took off, and we're all much happier.

Answer 4

I am homeschooling my daughter, but only while she is very young (to give her a head start). I think homeschooling is a great idea as long as the child still has access to children their own age (to promote people skills) and if the parent actually has the time and inclination to teach their children.

Answer 5

So long as it's not taken to an extreme - I think there are a lot of fine points about unschooling. I think it is true that public schools teach to the middle and can kill creativity, inquisitiveness and even hopes. Kids need to see that learning can be fun and to their advantage. Traditional schooling can seem like an endless drudge of rote memorization and rule-learning. Unschooling should be learning and growing while you don't even realize it.

Answer 6

I think you have to be pretty confident that you can offer your child an education equal to or better than they would get from "schooling". Also, I think that the social aspect is incredibly important... of course you can enroll them in different social activities than school offers.

My Mom home schooled for one year... my brother (grade 3) and sister (grade 5)... and she found it to be too much.

Answer 7

I am a first grade teacher. I think home-schooling can be beneficial in certain circumstances. If the public schools near you would expose your child to violence or unsafe conditions, school them at home. There are many ways to get information, guidance, curiculum, ,etc. for home educators. It is important to stick to a scheduled routine and to socially expose children to others who are home-schooled. Most cities have special events and field trips for families who educate children at home. My main concern is that children act and perform very differently for their parents than their teachers. I have seen this first-hand. As a parent, your role is to love and accept. As a teacher your role changes and many parents have trouble with this. It is also sometimes difficult to make sure you have the correct material and training to be able to teach. I went to undergraduate school and now have my masters degree. I am constantly learning new ways to get ideas across, fun and educational projects, etc. With the no child left behind act, many benchmark standards are in place in public and private schools to ensure all students are given every opportunity for success. Public schools also offer many programs not possible at home like speech, SPED, ELL, Challenge or HAL (High Ability Learners). Children also have music, art, PE, and technology/media. If you feel you have the time and dedication to carry this out, I suggesst you do some research of available info and materials. Also you may want to try it for one-two years, then allow your children to go to a school. There are many life lessons that help form who a child grows up to be...many of these problem solving situations and social interactions at a young age teach children how to cope and handle things later in life. I hope some of this gives you the information you are seeking. I have never heard the term unschooling. Is that a new term for home-school? Have you checked out Waldorf schools or Montessori? These are other options.

Answer 8

I have several friends who home school their kids. I know they have a network of parents they meet with and work with. I'm sure these groups have an internet presence.

Answer 9

I have found *most* homeschooled people to end up with high IQs and good work ethics, but very poor social skills--even if they were in those group homeschools and did intermural activities. I would be wary.

Answer 10

i think its a great idea.. if i wasnt going to school myself and had the time i know i would do it.. its good being able to know exactly what information your children are receiving..