What is Unschooling?

" The idea that unschooling is about freedom can get in the way of kids learning how to think of others.
First, unschooling came out of John Holt's research. He intended for schools to use the results of his research to create a better environment for learning. He eventually realized schools weren't willing to make the profound changes they need, so he turned to homeschoolers. So from the outset unschooling was never about freedom. It was always about intentionally creating an environment that supports a child's natural ability to learn while avoiding what hinders it.

Second, kids are born assuming they can do anything they want. They naturally protest being told no so freedom isn't on their radar because they assume they have it. To kids unschooling is like returning to the way they assumed life was. Following what interests them comes naturally because it's how mammals are wired to learn. We learn through playing around and from experience.
What kids need isn't more freedom. They assume they have the freedom to follow their interests, to have another cookie, to watch a show they like. What they need is to see how to make thoughtful decisions about their freedom. They need to see how to take others into account *while* meeting their needs. They need to see how to play the drums during the day instead of at 2AM, to ask before taking the last cookie, to watch the cartoon later that a friend isn't allowed to watch." ~ Joyce Kurtak Fetteroll