I'm afraid I must have stepped on some toes in my last post, so I'm going to even things out a bit and squish the toes on the other foot now! While I definitely disagree with a parent's "need" to re-create a classroom environment for their children, I also have problems with the current trend towards "unschooling". For those of you who are new to this concept, allow me to use this quote and explain:
"This [unschooling] is also known as interest driven, child-led, natural, organic, eclectic, or self-directed learning. Lately, the term "unschooling" has come to be associated with the type of homeschooling that doesn't use a fixed curriculum. When pressed, I define unschooling as allowing children as much freedom to learn in the world, as their parents can comfortably bear."
—Pat Farenga, Teach Your Own: The John Holt Book of Homeschooling
Now I'd like to dissect this statement. In the words of Pat Farenga, unschooling is:
- Interest-driven: But if you were to study the Scriptures thoroughly, you would see that Discipline is found on almost every page. Self-control, mortification, dying to self, and etc... are all forms of discipline. These are important to instill in our children from a young age, for God's Word also declares that "foolishness is bound in the heart of a child." So why should parents bend to their whims and interests, when their desires are not mature ones?
- Child-led: If a child that is left to itself brings its mother to shame, (Proverbs 29:15) then how can we condone teaching methods that encourage just that?Are we commanded to let our children train themselves, or is it our job?
- Natural: Scripture is very clear that the natural man is at enmity with God. Even "innocent children" when left to themselves, are nothing more than miniature, totally depraved sinners. Giving in to their "natural inclinations" is not the job of a parent! We are told to train them up in the way they should go. That word "train" indicates going against their natural inclinations. We lay down tracks for them which we compel them to follow. We don't just sit back and let "nature" take its course!
- Organic: I got a kick out of this one, as the mental images of children shaped like carrots made me chuckle, but I think the definition which best fits this is: simple, healthful, and close to nature. So, despite the way this sounds, I don't have any problems with Organic Homeschooling! It should be simple, it should be healthful, and it should be close to nature-- recognizing that God created all and rules all, for His own honor and glory.
- Self-directed: Back to the first three points! If children must be taught discipline, if a child that is left to itself brings its mother to shame, and if the natural man is at enmity with God-- then how can you expect a child to be able to direct themselves correctly?
- Doesn't use a fixed curriculum: I must agree with this point. It has been my experience that one company's Science book may be outstanding, while their History is lousy. Each employs a different teaching method that can be helpful or frustrating. But equally frustrating is the parent's task to wade through the different curriculum and pick out the best one for each subject! Frankly, it can be an enormously staggering task, so I do not blame the parents that pick one curriculum and stick to it for twelve years! I could never do that, but I do understand how others could.
- Freedom for the child to learn (at least as much as their parents can bear): OK, this one makes me laugh! But it's sobering as well, for to me it paints the picture of a child who surpasses his/her parents in knowledge and prances about, spouting off in arrogant pride. Do we really want to raise a little know-it-all? Or a jack of all trades but master of none? And are their little bits of knowledge more important than godly character and discipline?
In summary, unschooling may be popular because it is a drastic swing from institutionalized schooling, but is it really helpful to our children? And, more importantly, is it consistent with God's Word? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this...
Other titles in this series:
Homeschooling Mistake #1
Homeschooling Mistake #2
Homeschooling Mistake #3
Let me just comment that Christians need to be so careful in every aspect of life, not to get carried away by one thing or another, but to use wisdom and discretion in all our dealings. I can see pros and cons to traditional schooling and unschooling. Is it possible to take the good and leave the bad without getting swept away with one or the other? I think so...
ReplyDeleteI really don't "get" unschooling. Are these parents not drilling their kids in math? Allowing children to ignore parts of speech because they're not interested? Are they skipping over vast swaths of history because, while mummies are exciting, no one really cares about the Punic Wars anymore? I'm asking because I truly have no idea. I also have no idea how it's even possible to cater to a child's interests and still have a good foundation in practically anything other than rockets and circuses. Not that we don't explore interests that the children have, but they are CHILDREN. They don't know what they don't know. It's our job to guide them to what is worth knowing.
ReplyDeleteAlso, doesn't basing your education only on your interests lead to a laziness of thought? Shouldn't we learn to apply our mental energies to things that aren't necessarily "fun", because they are nonetheless valuable in some way? I really haven't explored unschooling, and don't plan to, but these questions all come to mind. How do they deal with the essentials that a given child needs to know, but will never want to learn on his own?
Definately not an unschooler here!! And I have no idea how anybody could make that really work and be responsible for what the children have learned.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with both of you! I haven't known enough families that practice unschooling. One family of unschoolers that I met was disturbing, to say the least. To me, it would have been better if the Mom wore a t-shirt saying, "I'm just too lazy to teach my children and too "spiritual" to take them to school" instead of calling themselves homeschoolers, unschoolers, or anything else. But I didn't know them well enough to say this with authority. Sadly, it's families like that who give homeschooling a bad name.
ReplyDeleteWell I'll speak up-We're Christian unschoolers so I'm used to getting tomatoes from both sides. LOL We don't fit in anywhere really.
ReplyDeleteRadical unschoolers say we're not unschoolers because I make my kids do chores, they have a bedtime, they have to ask before they eat something, etc.
Many Christian homeschoolers say it's unchristian to unschool. But I don't think it is, if it is an educational approach and not a parenting approach as well, like radical unschooling.
My post was too long and wouldn't let me post so I deleted it, and I am going to go work on my Christian unschooling post. I'll try to answer your post (and link back to it of course) and the questions in the comments as well.
Thank you for the reply, Sonita. I will look forward to reading your blog post. As I said, the few examples that I have had of unschooling has been very poor, and from the definition above, I believe it to be unbiblical, but I will be happy to hear your thoughts on it.
ReplyDeleteI responded to a guest blogger at Sonita's blog: http://getalonghome.com/2011/03/unschooling-holiness/
ReplyDeleteI don't think unschooling is unChristian, but this particular post didn't mind implying that classical or traditional education are unChristian. I hope I don't lose a friend over this one, but I really couldn't help myself.