I recently finished reading Christian Unschooling: Growing Your Children in the Freedom of Christ, by Teri Brown and Elissa Wahl.  The book was written to confront the perception that “Christian unschooling” is an oxymoron.  I must admit, I was intrigued by the title because prior to reading it, I believed just that.

What is Unschooling?

I believe that the difference of opinion comes about largely due to the working definition — or perhaps more properly, connotation — of the term “unschooling.” Traditionally, unschooling has meant 100% child-directed education.  It has been played out, largely in pagan homes, as child-led homes, lacking appropriate parental authority, and children’s being left to themselves to learn — or not learn — as they see fit.  I still believe that this is unbiblical and ungodly! (“A child left to himself brings shame to his mother.”)  What the Brown-Wahl book opened my eyes to was the fact that many unschoolers are using this term in an entirely different context.

“Unschooling,” in their case, is still used to refer to largely delight-directed learning, but (at least to my eyes) it appears to be more about unstructured learning  than undirected learning.  It’s about the parent’s facilitating learning, rather than stuffing a set of predetermined, predigested facts into a student’s head.  With this I can — and do — wholeheartedly agree!

Facilitating learning can be very deliberate.  “Delights” can even be directed very intentionally by the parent, when there’s important foundational knowledge at stake.  But an unschooler then passes information and skills on to her children by lifestyle-type learning, rather than by canned curricula.  She equips them to discover answers for themselves, allowing them to “own” the information.  And she doesn’t expect her children to be educated identically, because each child is unique.  (“Train up a child in the way he should go…”)

The Homeschooling Lifestyle

If you’re considering homeschooling, but think you can’t afford it, read this book. It will show you that the homeschooling lifestyle doesn’t have to be expensive.  If you’re new to homeschooling and tempted to set up “school at home,” read this book.  It will open your eyes to an entirely new perspective on education and discipleship.  If you’re a veteran homeschooler suffering burnout, read this book!  You will be encouraged by the examples of those who really have been successful leaving the world’s mold behind.

I guess I am, at least in part, an “unschooler.”  While I do not agree with every detail of every contributor’s perspective, I wouldn’t expect to. 🙂  What a freeing book for those new to the notion of relaxed homeschooling, and what an encouraging book for those who practice it!