Have you found yourself torn between the two seeming extremes of homeschool methodologies – unschooling vs. traditional homeschooling? Some days it seems like the kids could do well with unschooling, while other days you just know you need structured lessons for everyone’s benefit.
Well, you’re not alone! This pull between a learner-driven unschooling approach and a more standardized traditional approach is very common, especially at the beginning when you’re still finding the best fit in homeschooling for you and the kids.
But is there middle ground? You might be surprised to learn that there is!
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One of our listeners, Trisha, sent us a question about unschooling vs. traditional homeschooling and this is what inspired this post and the Homeschool with Moxie Podcast episode. She wanted to know if she should be taming her kids’ wildness or cultivating it?
Let’s dive into this great question!
What is Unschooling?
Unschooling means many things to many people, but the simplest way to describe it is this. Unschooling is the belief that children learn best when they are free to explore their interests without a formal curriculum.
The benefits of unschooling include the ability to foster creativity, critical thinking, and a love for learning.
Of course, as with any approach, unschooling has its unique challenges, including potential gaps in foundational knowledge and the lack of experience with traditional assessments and assignments.
What is a Traditional Approach?
In contrast to unschooling, a traditional approach is what you would find in most public schools – structure, standardized curriculum, and formal assessments.
The proponents of a traditional approach would say the benefits include the structured curriculum (hopefully ensuring kids don’t have gaps in their learning), and standardized assessments.
However, the drawbacks of a more traditional approach include limited flexibility, potential for burnout (for parent AND kids), and the risk of stifling individual creativity.
Finding Middle Ground
Unschooling vs. Traditional Homeschooling really emphasizes the extreme ends of the homeschooling spectrum. What most of us want is to find some middle ground. Both approaches have great benefits, but can you find a compromise position that will help both kids and homeschool parents thrive?
But of course – there’s always middle ground! This is why homeschooling is unique in the educational world. We really can take the best of every methodology and craft a personalized learning approach for our unique kids.
This hybrid approach can leverage both structured and self-directed learning, because our kids do need to learn how to do well with both types of learning.
Children are unique and have unique needs and learning styles. The more you can choose an educational approach that aligns with their learning style, the more motivated your kids will be. Of course, continue to adapt based on your child’s development and growth.
Listen to the Podcast
Are you feeling torn between unschooling and a more traditional approach? Our listener Trisha is asking for some help is navigating this struggle. Should she be taming the wildness in her kids or cultivating it? This is a great question and we’re happy to have Ashley Wright from GypsyGameschooler.com as our guest to help us think about this topic.
Ashley Wright is a game curator and writer who creates game reviews for Gypsy Gameschooler and helps homeschooling parents have more fun with their kids so that they can build better relationships.
Listen to episode 243 of the Homeschool with Moxie Podcast.
It was inspired by this question from listener Trisha.
My biggest struggle lately is feeling torn between unschooling and a more traditional approach. I personally love traditional learning but my kids are very resistant to sitting, reading, and book work. I like the idea of unschooling but I just can’t give myself into that system because I feel like my kids won’t learn enough with that approach…but would it be the best for them considering their wild nature? Should I be taming that wildness or cultivating it? After hearing arguments for both sides, I am left feeling so confused! If you haven’t done a podcast on that topic, I personally could find it very helpful.
Trisha, homeschool mom
More Resources from Gypsy Gameschooler
After listening to our conversation with Ashley from Gypsy Gameschooler, check out these blog posts from her site that will help you navigate that middle ground between unschooling vs. traditional homeschooling.
