If you are questioning homeschooling versus unschooling, you aren’t alone. Determining what is best for your child in regards to education can be highly difficult. As someone who goes the non traditional route, it is even more difficult to determine which of these methods will be best for you and your child.
Homeschooling vs. Unschooling – What Is Best For Your Child?
Homeschooling: An education method wherein the parent teaches the child using a curriculum they have purchased or created. Education typically happens in the home in a home classroom setting similar to what would be found in a traditional school. Textbooks, tests, quizzes and classwork are all part of the education process of homeschooling.
- Great for kids who prefer a standard routine.
- Great for parents who are unsure of their own knowledge and want a curriculum guide.
- Perfect choice for those who want to keep track of grade level and grade point averages for future education purposes.
As a parent, choosing to homeschool gives you a functional curriculum with teacher guides, student worksheets and an easy guide to follow. A lot of the standard curriculum covers what would be needed to pass state benchmark testing, as well as what is considered a quality education with specific areas of learning covered. A basic core education including reading, math, science and language arts is at the base of this method of education.
The picture below shows my youngest doing her daily workbook! They love consistency of knowing what will happen next and the standard routine we have.
Unschooling: An education method wherein the parent allows a child to learn at their own pace and will by observing life around them. Education is not found in books or worksheets but in daily life and practice. Rarely are tests, textbooks or research papers utilized in an unschooling environment. Instead knowledge is gained in real life activities and determined by daily use.
- Great for kids who have passion about specific subjects like science, history, math, robotics or engineering.
- Great for children with ADD or ADHD who struggle to sit at a desk or take tests.
- Great for those with learning disabilities that need more visual and hands on education versus book and paper education.Easy education choice for those on the road or traveling a good percentage of the year since there are so many ways to learn on the road that you can’t in a classroom.
Unschooling is typically devoid of paper, pencils and textbooks. However many families prefer to include basic assignments or educational standards like learning how to write, practicing writing skills, learning basic grammar and highly encouraging children to read. It can be looked down upon, but those who truly embrace unschooling as a form of education don’t sit around letting their kids do nothing. They work to create a world of learning around their kids that includes educational books, museums, field trips, outdoor exploration, television an movies all with learning at the center.
Whether you choose to homeschool your child traditionally, or adapt an unschooling method of education depends upon your unique family needs. Make sure that whatever method you choose, you are in line with your state board of education requirements for homeschooling families.
This picture below shows my girls learning hands on at the petting farm, because that’s what they wanted to do that day and as their parent I also want to be able to provide the needs that they need and want. It definitely keeps learning more fun and entertaining!
She’s so excited she got to milk a cow because last time we were here she had a milk allergy!!! A photo posted by Victoria-ABC Creative Learning (@abccreativelearning) on
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Personally, we like to combine the two! That is the best part of homeschooling!
Which method is best for you and your children?
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