I used to think unschooling was a bizarre concept. Learning without a structured curriculum or a teacher? It seemed far-fetched—until I met someone who had been unschooled. This individual, now a successful fisheries scientist, shared how he and his siblings taught themselves to read using works by Charles Dickens at just ten years old. “We got tired of our mom reading to us,” he recounted. His mother had devoted hours to reading, but ultimately, they chose what and how to learn. And he turned out just fine.
With the stress of COVID-19, maintaining our usual relaxed homeschooling routine became a challenge. Initially, I thought we were on a brief hiatus, only to realize that we had naturally transitioned into unschooling. My children were still learning—they simply weren’t following a traditional curriculum filled with textbooks and plans.
Defining Unschooling
Unschooling is a form of homeschooling that prioritizes a child’s interests over a structured academic framework. It encourages child-led exploration rather than adult-directed instruction, based on the belief that children are more eager to learn when it aligns with their passions.
Given the opportunity, my kids engage in various activities that are educational in nature. My sons read extensively across subjects, from history to science to fiction. They enjoy complex board games that incorporate math, and they frequently pose thoughtful questions that lead to in-depth discussions (“Why do clouds float?” sparked a recent meteorology lesson). When we don’t know something, we simply look it up.
In essence, unschooling allows children to pursue their natural interests. For instance, my middle son has a fascination with amphibians; he eagerly reads college-level books about toads and can distinguish between nearly identical species. My eldest is intrigued by Bigfoot; we provide him with adult-level material about cryptids, which he reads and explains to us. When he wanted to explore Ancient Greece, we supplied him with books and LEGOs to recreate battle scenes and build accurate temples for the goddess Athena. Recently, after I shared an excerpt from an adult version of Moby Dick, he made a LEGO diorama featuring Ahab, Ishmael, and the white whale.
This doesn’t mean we don’t guide their learning. We often encourage them to watch documentaries, participate in live chats with zoos and scientists (especially abundant during the pandemic), or enjoy stories that I read aloud—sometimes just sharing beautiful prose. Unschooling means they take charge of their learning while we provide gentle guidance.
The Benefits of Unschooling
Currently, unschooling has significantly reduced the pressure on our children; they don’t feel compelled to engage in “formal” schooling, which has made them much more relaxed—especially crucial during these stressful times. This educational approach allows them to “follow their passions,” fostering excitement about learning and promoting deeper exploration into their chosen subjects. They remain enthusiastic about “schooling”—a term I use loosely, as it blends seamlessly into everyday life; “learning” feels more accurate. They’re less inclined to beg for screen time, and when one does, the others quickly suggest alternatives.
As noted by ThoughtCo, children retain what they learn on their own initiative better. They also build on their innate talents and develop self-motivation (my kids, for instance, are adept at finding creative ways to entertain themselves). Moreover, they often discover solutions to their challenges independently. For example, we introduced our eldest, who has dysgraphia, to the Kids Messenger app, which uses predictive text to enhance his writing accuracy and keyboard skills.
What Lies Ahead for Unschooling?
I’m unsure how much of this unschooling approach we will continue after the pandemic. I anticipate retaining much of our focus on reading, science, social studies, and even writing. I plan to incorporate the Messenger app so they can communicate with friends, and encourage them to write about what they’re reading or exchange letters with pen pals for some added structure. However, I also see the need to return to more formal work in math and grammar, as I feel uneasy without them.
Long-term, I believe my children will need more structure than we currently have. While unschooling families often incorporate a significant amount of structure, we are still figuring that out. The kids thrive in this relaxed environment, which we aim to maintain for their comfort during these challenging times.
Overall, unschooling is proving effective for us right now. I document our activities in my planners, being honest about how they connect to the subjects we’re covering. By and large, everything adds up. Unschooling is feasible. Children love to learn, and given the opportunity, they will. I’ve always believed that—and it’s reaffirmed in my home every day.
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Summary
The pandemic has shifted my family’s approach from traditional homeschooling to unschooling, allowing our children to learn at their own pace and follow their interests. This method has reduced stress and fostered a love for learning, though I remain uncertain about the long-term balance between structure and freedom in their education.