unschooling
un-SKOO-ling
/ʌnˈskuː.lɪŋ/
An informal learning practice that advocates learner-chosen activities as a primary means for learning, dispensing with set curricula.
Differs from standard homeschooling because it removes tests, grades, schedules, and textbooks entirely.
The story behind the word. Educator John Holt coined the term 'unschooling' in 1977 in his newsletter 'Growing Without Schooling'. He wanted a term to describe helping children learn without forcing them into traditional school structures.
Word relationships
- natural learning: Natural learning describes the instinct, while unschooling refers to the complete lifestyle and educational philosophy.
- formal schooling: Formal schooling relies on rigid schedules, set curricula, and external assessments.
Commonly confused with
- homeschooling: Homeschooling often imports school curricula to the home, whereas unschooling rejects structured curricula altogether.
Word family
- unschooler (noun): A person or family who practices unschooling.
Collocations
- practice unschooling
- radical unschooling
- unschooling advocate
Example sentences
- "Families practicing unschooling trust that children will naturally learn math and reading through everyday interest-driven activities." Alternative Education
Memory hook
UN-schooling: removing the traditional SCHOOL box completely. Schooling turned inside out.
When not to use
Do not confuse with 'truancy' or 'educational neglect'; unschooling is an intentional, engaged educational philosophy.
Fun facts
- Greek 'skhole' originally meant 'free time' or 'leisure'—ironic given how structured modern schooling has become.
Related words
Explore more words
autodidact, unconventional, self-directed, extracurricular, andragogy, elective
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