Summer days are a lot different from school days, any kid can tell you. But for unschooled kids, all of the seasons of the year sort of blend together. That’s because summer break is the same as any other day of the week when you’re always free to decide what it is you want to do. Of late, unschooling is trending on social media, creating a buzz. The movement appears to be growing for several reasons related to educational shifts.
Educational Shifts
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Standardization and testing: Many parents are concerned about the emphasis on standardized testing and one-size-fits-all teaching.
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Lack of engagement: Traditional schools may hinder creativity, motivation, and curiosity — qualities unschooling seeks to nurture.
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Mental health: Issues like anxiety, depression, and burnout among kids are increasingly linked to school pressures.
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New definitions of success: There’s a growing recognition that college and traditional academic achievement are not the only paths to a fulfilling life.
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Skills over credentials: In the job market, skills, creativity, problem-solving, and adaptability are increasingly valued, aligning with what unschooling fosters.
- Focus on well-being and authenticity: Families are prioritizing emotional health, self-direction and meaning over conformity and external achievement.
Homeschooling Vs. Unschooling
In Tennessee, the number of homeschooled students — including unschoolers — was estimated to be around 10.75 percent of K – 12 students in the 2023-24 school year, according to the Johns Hopkins Homeschool Hub. This translates to roughly 35,887 homeschooled students in Tennessee.
Unschooling is a subset of homeschooling. According to the Alliance for Self-Directed Education (ASDE), it’s all about giving kids the freedom to explore what excites them, with parent support along the way.
Flipping the Script
Unschooling flips the traditional script by putting kids in the driver’s seat. The idea is simple but powerful: children are naturally curious, and when they follow their curiosity, real learning happens.
Peter Gray is a research professor, psychologist and author who angles for self-directed education in his book, Free to Learn. Gray explores how children learn best when they’re free to play, explore and follow their own interests — core principles of unschooling. He draws from evolutionary psychology, real-world examples, and stories from both traditional and unschooling families to support his message.
With unschooling families, there may be a mix of structure with gentle guidance in subjects like reading and math. Others go fully free-form, letting their kids set the pace and choose their own paths. What really sets unschooling apart from traditional homeschooling, though, is its flexibility and focus on learning through life, not just textbooks.
A Growing Movement
While unschooling once sprang from early outliers of homeschooling, it’s now a movement. And unschooling households fall on both ends of the income scale. What all unschoolers share are deeply held values around freedom, community, and redefining success beyond grades and test scores.
More and more families are exploring alternative ways to educate their kids. Whether it’s for more flexibility, a desire for a more personalized learning experiences, or just wanting something that better fits their child’s needs, parents are discovering there’s more than one way to learn. Learning doesn’t have to look anything like a traditional classroom. It can look like the world.
READ MORE ON UNSCHOOLING
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“The Unschooling Handbook” by Mary Griffith
A practical and approachable guide for parents just getting started with unschooling. -
“How Children Learn” by John Holt
Holt is one of the original voices of the unschooling movement. This classic — now in a 50th anniversary edition — is full of insight into how kids naturally acquire knowledge when they’re not pressured. -
“Teach Your Own” by John Holt and Pat Farenga
A foundational text that has inspired generations of unschooling families, updated with modern insights by Pat Farenga, a close collaborator of Holt’s. -
“The Brave Learner” by Julie Bogart
While not strictly about unschooling, this book offers a creative take on home education that resonates with many unschooling families.
