The Ultimate Guide To Unschooling: Top Tips To Create Free-Thinking, Resilient, Creative Young Humans Who Can Thrive In A Modern World.

Aug 1, 2019

Judy Arnall, a keynote speaker and author specializing in non-punitive education, discusses the revolutionary concept of unschooling. She explains how traditional education often stifles creativity and critical thinking, advocating for a more personalized approach. Judy highlights the importance of play, mentorship, and real-life experiences in learning. She emphasizes the pivotal role parents play in creating enriching environments that foster children's interests. Through anecdotes and insights, she showcases how unschooling can empower young minds to thrive in the modern world.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Books

Transcript

Episode notes

INSIGHT

Origins of Modern Schooling

Modern schools originated during the Industrial Revolution around 1850.
They were created to occupy children while parents worked in factories, potentially with a hidden agenda of indoctrination.

INSIGHT

Failures of Modern Schooling

The modern school system's one-size-fits-all approach fails to address diverse learning styles and the impact of issues like bullying.
It also struggles to keep up with the digital revolution and its readily available information.

ANECDOTE

Tree Fort Math

Ben Greenfield's sons are building a tree fort as a summer math project, incorporating geometry, woodworking, and design.
This exemplifies learning through experience, a key principle of unschooling.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

Unschooling To University

Judy Arnall

Free to Learn

Peter Gray

In "Free to Learn," Peter Gray argues for a more child-centered approach to education, emphasizing the importance of unstructured play and exploration in a child's development. He challenges traditional schooling methods, advocating for increased autonomy and freedom for children to learn at their own pace and in their own way. Gray draws on anthropological research and evolutionary psychology to support his claims, highlighting the detrimental effects of excessive adult supervision and control. The book promotes a shift towards a more playful and less structured learning environment, fostering creativity, self-reliance, and a love of learning. It offers practical advice for parents and educators seeking to create more enriching and empowering experiences for children.

Free Play

Improvisation in Life and Art

Stephen Nachmanovitch

Free Play delves into the inner sources of spontaneous creation, exploring why we create and the joy of unleashing unhindered creative energy. It offers insights into how inspiration arises, how it can be blocked, and how to liberate it to express our authentic voices in various forms of art. The book integrates material from arts, sciences, and spiritual traditions to guide readers in enhancing their creative potential.

Reclaiming Conversation

The Power of Talk in a Digital Age

Sherry Turkle

Sherry Turkle's "Reclaiming Conversation" delves into the impact of technology on human connection and communication. The book explores how our reliance on digital devices affects our ability to engage in meaningful face-to-face interactions. Turkle argues that technology, while offering convenience, can hinder our capacity for empathy and genuine understanding. She emphasizes the importance of fostering authentic communication in an increasingly digital world. The book offers valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities of navigating the complexities of human interaction in the digital age.

21 Lessons for the 21st Century

Yuval Noah Harari

In '21 Lessons for the 21st Century', Yuval Noah Harari tackles the most pressing questions of our time. The book explores issues such as the crisis of liberal democracy, the rise of nationalism, the impact of technological advancements, the threat of terrorism, and the challenges posed by climate change and nuclear war. Harari presents these complex contemporary challenges clearly and accessibly, inviting readers to consider values, meaning, and personal engagement in a world filled with noise and uncertainty. He emphasizes the need for critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity in navigating the future and suggests that individuals must identify strongly with a global community to confront global problems effectively.

A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court

Mark Twain

In this novel, Mark Twain tells the story of Hank Morgan, a mechanic from Connecticut who, after a severe blow to the head, finds himself transported to the court of King Arthur in the sixth century. Using his modern knowledge and practical skills, Hank navigates the complexities of medieval life, challenges the customs of the time, and attempts to introduce democratic principles and technological innovations. The novel is a humorous yet critical exploration of the contrasts between modern and medieval societal norms, highlighting themes such as time travel, satire, and the clash of cultures[3][4][5].

The Schools Our Children Deserve

Alfie Kohn

Alfie Kohn challenges conventional wisdom about education, arguing that traditional classrooms and 'tougher standards' are not the best way to improve learning. He advocates for a more progressive approach that focuses on student engagement and intrinsic motivation.

How to Beat Your Dad at Chess

Sarah-Ann Pon

Ezra Pon

Growing Without Schooling

Newsletter on Homeschooling and Unschooling

John Holt

The 'Growing Without Schooling' newsletter, founded by John Holt in 1977, explored ways people could learn and acquire skills without formal schooling. It supported self-directed education and was a key publication in the homeschooling movement, running until 2001. Holt's work emphasized the potential for children to learn effectively outside traditional school environments.

These days, traditional school, such as a public or private school, is only one of many options to get an education.

You've probably heard of homeschooling (I was personally homeschooled K-12).

But another method that isn't as well known is known as "unschooling" It's a method of education I've recently adopted for my boys using resources such as the book "Unschooling to University".

Many parents are frustrated by the school system, perhaps because of bullying, crowded classrooms, and outdated, dull, online courses. Disengaged learners that have no say in their coerced curriculum tend to act out, tune out, or drop out. Education must change and unschooling is the fastest growing alternative method of learning. T

wo decades ago, students registered with their local school based on their house address. Now, with the internet, students are borderless. Learning can occur anywhere, anytime, anyway and from anyone - including self-taught.

Self-directing their education, unschoolers learn through:

-Play

-Projects

-Reading

-Volunteering

-Games

-Sports

-Mentorship

-Travel

-Life

In this scenario, it's then the parents' job to provide an environment rich in resources: books, videos, cameras, computer and video games, workbooks, textbooks, projects, jobs, museums, field trips, volunteer programs, atlases and maps, science centers, zoos, museums, theaters, TV, toys, concerts, musical instruments, board games, mentor and apprenticeship programs, music, internet, libraries, instructors, living history parks, art galleries and supplies, sporting venues and equipment, science equipment, corporate venues, parks, travel, and many more.

In her book Unschooling to University, my guest on this podcast, Judy Arnall, explores the path of 30 unschooled children who self-directed all or part of their education and were accepted by universities, colleges and other postsecondary schools. Most have already graduated. She outlines that what children need most are close relationships - parents, teachers, siblings, relatives, coaches, and mentors within a wider community, not just within an institutional school.

Educational content is everywhere. Caring relationships are not. Families that embrace unschooling do not have to choose between a quality education and a relaxed, connected family lifestyle. They can have both. Judy is a keynote speaker and distinguished toastmaster who gives interactive presentations around the world.

She specializes in non-punitive parenting and education practices, and regularly appears on television interviews on CBC, CTV, and Global as well as publications including Chatelaine, Today's Parent, Canadian Living, Parents magazine, The Globe and Mail, Metro and Postmedia News. As a Certified Canadian Family Life Educator (CCFE), she teaches brain and child development, and family communication, at the University of Calgary, Continuing Education, and has taught for Alberta Health Services for 13 years.

She founded the non-profit organizations, Attachment Parenting Canada Association, and Unschooling Canada Association.

She is also the bestselling author of the following print and e-books:

-"Discipline Without Distress: 135 Tools for raising caring, responsible children without time-out, spanking, punishment or bribery." (Translated into 5 languages)

-"Plugged-In Parenting: Connecting with the digital generation for health, safety and love." (DVD)

-"The Last Word on Parenting Advice." (A lovely little journal)

-"Parenting With Patience: Turn frustration into connection with 3 easy steps." (Translated into 2 languages)

-"Attachment Parenting Tips Raising Toddlers to Teens."

-"Unschooling To University (and colleges): Relationships matter most in a world crammed with content."

As a parent of five children, who were raised without any kind of punishment, Judy has a broad understanding of the issues facing parents and the digital generation. She is the proud parent of several university graduates who self-directed their education.

During our discussion, you'll discover: -When formal schools were first established, and why...9:00

Schools began around the time of the Industrial Revolution; was a means of keeping kids occupied while parents worked in factories
Critics claim it's simply to create factory worker mentality; obedient citizens, quashing critical thinking
It has transformed into a billion dollar industry; it's difficult to imagine life without institutionalized school
The brain interacts with its environment; it's not a bucket to fill up with facts and figures

-Where the modern school system has failed us as a whole...13:00

Schools have stress for kids as well as teachers
Teaching is a highly stressful profession
Kids experience stress via bullying, expectations, etc.
The big failure: a one size fits all approach
It does not encourage individualism; it can't because it's a bureaucracy
Technology has revolutionized many facets of life; formal education lags behind

-How unschooling is different from homeschooling...20:05

"Empowering the learner to choose what they learn, when (or if) they learn, and how they learn."
It's a matter of control and ownership
With homeschooling, the parents control and own the process
In unschooling, the skills and knowledge are learned and embedded with the experience, applied through their curiosity
Self-directed, free learning

-The value of play and unstructured time when it comes to learning...24:40

Kids need a period of time to "deschool"
- Approximately 1 month for each year they're in school
Their natural curiosity takes over and they embrace
We underestimate the value of play and downtime: it gives your brain rest and time to think about creative ideas
Research shows that play and daydreaming is a sign of a better equipped brain (similar to meditation)
- Overscheduling doesn't allow for this quality time
Unstructured play means it's not dictated by adults (soccer doesn't count)
Play mimics what they would learn in school, but on their own terms

-The conspicuous difference in testing and its results in unschooling vs. traditional schooling...34:30

Tests and essays begin to increase around the 6th grade
Teachers need to stick to the schedule; teach to the test
The emphasis is on accreditation/evaluation; but the journey to the destination is important
It's not as difficult to prepare for the standardized tests as one might think

-Yes, unschoolers can go to college too!...41:20

No benefits in year to year testing; ties students and parents to the local curriculum
Appropriate to do a standardized test at age 18 for college entrance
13 year olds can do 8 grades of math in one year because their brain is ready to understand abstract concepts
A strong homeschool lobby can influence legislation and enforcement of local education laws

-Creative ways to satisfy governmental education requirements...44:30

Unschooling is a methodology; many schools do unschooling within their schools
Look for skills that can be learned in video games, journals, etc.

-The concept of "Block learning" and why learning something every day can do more harm than good...47:35

If a child doesn't want to do a particular task, don't make them do it
Turn what they do naturally and turn it into a "subject" they need to learn: math, science, etc.

-What a typical day of unschooling might look like...50:00

It's relaxed
Lots of family activities, such as nightly family dinner

-Success stories and research on the benefits of unschooling...55:00

Team of 30
- Survey of parents of unschooled children
- All 30 of them got accepted into university
- 1/3 in arts fields; 1/3 in humanities; 1/3 in STEM courses
- 22 of the 30 have graduated from their programs
John Holt's website
- John coined the term "unschooling"
Judy doesn't like the term because it sounds "anti-school"

-How unschooling compares with a Waldorf or Montessori method of learning...1:01:00

They incorporate unschooling in their methodology without calling it that
"What do you do if the child doesn't want to do that?" Is it coercive or not?
Most government schools are coercive
Much easier to unschool outside the school system
Templates or set curriculums lead children to a preconceived outcome
Kids are natural communicators and collaborators

-Why "time-honored" traditions like handwriting don't need to be emphasized in schooling today...1:06:05

It takes 15 years to change a curriculum in a government school
Instead learn coding, social media, blogging, youtube, etc.
Life experiences, world travel can replicate what is taught in university

-Resources Judy recommends to learn more on unschooling and free play...1:16:30

Books by Thomas Armstrong on Amazon
Book: Free To Learn (and Peter Gray's other books on Amazon)
Hslda.org

-And much more!

Click here for a PDF version of this episodes's show notes

Resources from this episode:

-Book: Unschooling to University

-John Holt's website

-Book: Free To Learn (and Peter Gray's other books on Amazon)

-Books by Thomas Armstrong on Amazon

-Hslda.org

Episode sponsors:

-Kion Coffee: Carefully selected and roasted for taste, purity, high antioxidants and health. Ben Greenfield Fitness listeners, receive a 10% discount off your entire order when you use discount code: BGF10.

-Organifi Glow: A plant-based beverage that helps support the body’s natural ability to produce collagen, smooth fine lines and wrinkles, and protect the skin from sun exposure and toxins. Receive a 20% discount on your entire order when you use discount code: "BENG20"

-Policy Genius: Whether you’re an insurance expert or a newbie, Policygenius created a website that makes it easy for you to compare quotes, get advice, and get covered.

-Birdwell Beach Britches: Quality is our Gimmick isn’t just our slogan, it’s a commitment we honor with every stitch we sew. 100% money back guarantee. Get 10% off your order, PLUS free shipping on any order over $99 when you use discount code: BENG.

Do you have questions, thoughts or feedback for Judy or me? Leave your comments below and one of us will reply!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.