“Unschooling” is an educational theory that suggests children should follow their own interests, without the imposition of school. In this report by Christian Science Monitor, one home-schooling mother says, “This life is about freedom and not having limits. It’s about really trusting your kids.” The rise of unschooling parallels a growing dissatisfaction among American parents about the country’s public education system and its focus on standardized testing. It also tracks an increase in alternative educational philosophies that are based on the idea of children as “whole,” curious beings whose education should be guided by their own natural interests and inclinations. And the blossoming of unschooling also reflects something more. While it once was considered a hippie, countercultural practice, experts say that unschooling now taps into changing mainstream values surrounding children and parenting, institutions and individuality, and the best way to seize the American dream. An interesting read.
Free-range education: Why the unschooling movement is growing
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