I personally find it helpful to periodically look over our reasons for our actions; reevaluate why we do what we do and if we really believe in them. Or if we are just blindly continuing to do what we do because we do it. (This is part of what helped me with unschooling to begin with.)
So in light of a not-so-great week for me, I’ve read and reread this. Here’s my case for unschooling:
1) Purpose: I believe that everyone was born with a purpose and certain traits to be able to reach that purpose. I don’t believe that purpose comes from without but from within and given freedom and encouragement, a child/person can find their purpose without having to learn every subject known to man.
2) Diversity: I think that people are naturally good at some things and not good at others things. I think this is A GOOD THING and don’t believe everyone needs to be good at everything. The diversity found in the human race is what makes us so wonderful! I don’t believe in learning something just because you “should”. I am horrible at math but am strong in all matters pertaining to reading and writing. My husband is horrible in reading/writing/spelling but is awesome in higher levels of math. It has made absolutely no difference in our lives. We choose things in our lives that compliment our strengths (including spouses that compliment our weaknesses!).
3) Freedom: I believe that people should be given information but also freedom to use that information as they see fit. I think that if something is limited too much in a childs life, they crave it even more. (Think of the pastors child with a wild streak 
If a child is given the ability to make choices and learn from the consequences as a child when the consequences are mild, this is far better than limiting the child and having them learn the same lessons as adults when the consequences are potentially detrimental.
4) Reality: I think sit down work and book work takes life out of its natural context. Why learn about fractions on paper where they hold no meaning instead of understanding them in the context of baking? Why recreate at home what doesn’t work at schools? I don’t want a factory worker droning away cuz he’s told to; I want a free-thinker who can rationalize for himself.
I think I will be bookmarking this for my own personal reminders during bad weeks. Maybe I need to print it out and hang it on my wall.
Hmm…that’s actually not a bad idea.
Oh and in an attempt to even out my recent excessive wordage, here are some pics. Z hiking with Dad (um, Dad’s behind the camera):
I'm Tara Wagner, life coach and creator of the Digging Deep process, where I coach women out of survival mode to recreate their lives and families.
I don’t know how we could survive with just one computer! I have a husband, 25 yo daughter and 12 year old son all living in the same house, and it would never be peaceful if we didn’t all have access to our own computer without waiting in line! lol We actually have five internet connected computers including the laptop for anyone’s use (although mostly mine). Congrats on finding the great deal on coputer #2!
I was on a panel of unschooling parents once for a conference, and I wrote down a bunch of reasons for unschooling and ideas about it. I’ll have to dig that up!
I like this quote so much, I put it on top of my blog. I thought you might like it:
“Children should be educated and
instructed in the principles of freedom.” — John Adams
I love love love this… so I hope you dont mind that I’ve quoted it on my own personal homeschool blog.
I think unschooling is awesome!
Here in Singapore, people send their kids to playschool as early as 18 months! I keep getting asked when my 3 year old son is going to school as if it is a ridiculous notion that he isn’t already.
I hated school when I was a kid. I never fit in the system and naturally did badly. Funnily when I went to college in Canada, I did really well.
Anyway, I didn’t plan to send my son till it was legally required, which is at 5 years old to kindergarten. But now I am seriously considering home schooling.
Learning should be fun. School seems to take the love out of it all. When I was in kindy, I remember it was all about rules. I coloured an apple orange and its leaf blue once and was told off by the kindy teacher. Surely there was room for some creativity?
Now all I can do is encourage his creative work and admire all that he does. Teach him to think critically and for himself. Inspire him to love nature. Life’s lessons.
Thank you for the idea of unschooling. It is food for thought.
Great post! It helps to hear other people’s perspective, especially when you are in the beginning process. My child only just turned 3, so we don’t have the outside pressure yet but every time we talk to people about our moving into an RV to tour the country they always say great, get it done now before she has to go to school!
Go Unschooling!
Having had two sons go through 12 frustrating years of public/parochial schooling and having been frustrated myself 30 years ago going through the SAME EXACT CURRICULUM, I am encouraged by this post. I pray to God there are more of you out there that feel the same way. Our society has been trying to cookie-cut our children for long enough. I second that emotion: Go Unschooling!