Unschooling, as it was called by John Holt back in 1977, is also referred to as interest driven, child-led, natural, organic, eclectic, and self-directed learning. Over the years, this method of homeschooling has also been referred to as deschooling, free range learning, and life learning. Add a little zen and you have zenschooling. Regardless of the name, unschooling is based on Holt's belief that children do not need to be coerced into learning. Holt believed that children will learn naturally if they are free to follow their own interests. When unschooling, the child leads the way, the parent provides the appropriate learning environment. There are no set schedules and no specific curriculum or structure unless it is what the child wants. Unschooling can be difficult to document, especially during the high school years, so you will want to keep a journal of some sort to prevent any gaps in your child's education.
Unschooling Resources
- Family Unschoolers Network
The Family Unschoolers Network provides support for unschooling, homeschooling, and self-directed learning. You will find newsletter articles, reviews, resources, web sites, books and lots of other information to help your homeschooling or unschooling efforts.
- holtgws.com
Pat Farenga maintains this site to keep John Holt's own ideas and words available to the general public so you can learn directly from him what unschooling means and how he envisioned it being implemented.
- Joyfully Rejoycing
This unschooling website is absolutely amazing! It's about parenting more peacefully and living more joyful family lives. Learn about unschooling, deschooling, learning and more.
- Pat Farenga.com- Learning Without Schooling
Patrick Farenga worked closely with John Holt until Holt’s death in 1985. He is the President of Holt Associates Inc. and was the Publisher of Growing Without Schooling magazine (GWS) from 1985 until it stopped publishing in Nov. 2001. This is his blog. A wonderful resource for unschoolers.
- Radical Unschooling by Sandra Dodd
Find a variety of topics, a blog, links, and more.
- The Unschooler's Emporium
The Unschooler’s Emporium was created as your one stop shop for all unschooling items, from books, to toys, to conference talks, natural remedies and much more.
- Unschool Your Teen Audio-Seminar & Resource Guide
Learn how to rescue your teen from the banality of standardized high school curriculum without forfeiting their options for the future. Diane Flynn Keith's audio program and resource manual will remove the guesswork, frustration and fear, save you time and money, and give you the confidence you need to succeed.
- UnSchoolers Online
UnSchoolers Online is a website dedicated to providing detailed and helpful information on everything related to unschooling and homeschooling.
- Unschooling
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Unschooling Basics
This is a Yahoo list designed for those new to the philosophy of whole-life (or "radical") unschooling. Ask experienced whole-life unschoolers all those niggling questions, and find out how it works in real families, across all aspects of life.
- Unschooling.com
Come explore unschooling.com, where parents and children have learned to trust themselves and each other!
