Unschooling - Do you think it can work?

[abacucat]

Unschooling is the idea that children naturally want to learn and that what children need is the opportunity to pursue their interests.

I imagine it depends on the child but I wouldn't have thought many would get an all rounded education if that makes sense.

No

Nice idea for tiny ones and isn’t Steiner based on this notion? Not going to get good exam results though so might be career limiting.

I think it can, but I do think parents still need to be making lots of opportunities for children to explore a range of interests, particularly in subjects where there is a limit to their own knowledge.

Which would be very hard work.

I do that a bit with my toddler. I read about it a while ago. I don't think it should replace school though but it seemed like a good thing to have in mind for summer holidays in the future because of the long break.
It seems the sort of thing that would work on some kids but not others - same as most things really.

Have a look at Summerhill School.

OK for those under 4 and during weekends and holidays.

Shouldn’t it be called “non-schooling”?

“Un-schooling” suggested it involves undoing a process that’s already happened.

Millions of poor children around the world are 'unschooled'. It does not automatically lead to literacy and numeracy development. Hence the push to build schools in developing countries and the desire of children to attend them.

Notions of unschooling as practiced in this country rely on having parents with a traditional education behind them to provide knowledge. It's not a sustainable education system.

No, Steiner isn’t based on this theory.

DS1 has ASD and unschooling him would be chaos. He loves routine and structure, loves the challenges school presents and loves knowing what's coming next. DS2 would probably do well with unschooling because he has an absolute thirst for learning I can barely keep up with. However, I teach Reception so believe quite strongly that for many children learning by being guided is the best way to learn.

Of course it will work for some children and they'll grow up to achieve great things, but for many it would simply be overwhelming.

It makes an absolute mockery of all the hard work my DC's have put in to achieve.

Then again, they have and will continue to achieve. Can't imagine what happens to the cool unschooled 18yo when they have no qualifications and can't get a job or go to university.

I think it can so long as the adults provide experiences and new activities for them to learn and know about. If the child is limited in their environment then probably not. They need to know what science is (for example) before they can know if they want to explore it in more depth.

Steiner follows a proscribed curriculum.
IME they do independently create a major project in their yr 9 (?) based on their own interest, which is the focus of the year.
There is some flexibility if there are small classes to develop ideas around their interests.

Yes definitely. My 11 year is doing it now. Obviously opportunities need to be provided, but it's made a huge difference to my child's education.

For 99.9% of children - No.

Yes definitely. My 11 year is doing it now

And what are his plans for the future? How does he hope to achieve them?

I truly think it can, with the right parents and the right children.

I do home educated my DD, but un-schooling would be a step or two too far for me. I feel it would be too much of a risk, relying on her wanting to learn. We will stick to the curriculum based website I pay a small monthly subscription for and a little child led learning alongside it.

I think it can, but I do think parents still need to be making lots of opportunities for children to explore a range of interests, particularly in subjects where there is a limit to their own knowledge.

^^ That is exactly what un-schooling is. It is not totally denying children opportunities to learn.

If a child has had a really traumatic experience of school, then a period of unschooling can be a really good way of resetting. But until the whol basis of our society changes too, it can’t work long term for most children.

“It makes an absolute mockery of all the hard work my DC's have put in to achieve.”

🙄

Yes of course it can work.

I don’t believe there is one system of education that works for every child. This is just one option that would suit some children.

Of course it can work and the evidence for it is extremely compelling. But it does require extremely engaged, learned and imaginitive parents who are eager to learn with their kids, learn from their kids and find ways to take that which makes their children excited and use it to excite them about subjects the have yet to find an interest in.

It's certainly not an approach that limits a child's options. There are many non exam routes into university. And unschooled students tend to excel at university as they have spent their lives engaged in self motivated learning.

It makes an absolute mockery of all the hard work my DC's have put in to achieve

What do you mean? How can how someone else educates their child have any bearing on yours?

Just to say for accuracy sake, many universities offer 4 year degrees with a foundation year, to those without qualifications. It is a way of widening access. But it does not apply to all courses. You are very unlikely to get into medicine for example without qualifications.