What Is Unschooling? (By Homeschooling Family)

[@dw4673]

Great breakdown of unschooling. All my sons have finished unschooling and they know where to look for information if needed. Arent scared of trying new things, and have no issues living in the adult world. All well rounded, well liked by everyone they meet, all employed, and I get compliments all the time about how respectful and nice they are.

[@amberbernardi]

Thank you for sharing this perspective. It helped tremendously for my questions of the future with this path 😊

[@jmkass]

First time a see a video where there's an approach with BALANCE. No radical points of view. A breath of fresh air. Thank you.

[@ThatMountainLife]

Well, my stance on kids not *needing* school for many people is pretty “radical.”

[@harriereducation]

@@ThatMountainLife This is a really excellent video.

[@nicklaskristoferhansen382]

Two level-headed teachers educating their own kids and selling it as something everyone could do. What could possibly go wrong?

[@FernCurtis]

I am old enough that I could be your mother, your children’s grandma … HOWEVER …I just love this concept and it so resonates with me and love it. Have done so, from the time I first heard you talking about it, here on KZbin. Each and every one of us are unique, with our own set of strengths and weaknesses, interests etc. Never did understand why “they” want to “mold” every single child in the same way, as if each child has the same abilities. Forcing them to try and learn things that they have no interest in and more than likely won’t ever use. A good example of this in my own life, was when I was in 9th grade. The school got this “brilliant” (cough cough) idea, that every single one of us students had to have one semester of algebra. They ran into a snag…not one of the actual teachers, was able to to teach it. Eventually, one of the sport coaches stepped up and said he could do it. Horrible horrible decision. He wasn’t a teacher. At least not a good one. He expected to explain the lesson one time and you had better understand it. He would very begrudgingly explain it one more time to you, personally. If he absolutely had to. You had better not ask him again though…if you did, you learned fast that he would literally yell at you AND belittle you in front of the entire class. (Made me wonder often about those poor kids that had him as a coach!!!) those two quarters of school were miserable for me, along with many others. I have heard many say that, you use algebra every single day if your life. As an electrician or other trades, then yes, I can understand that. To this day though, I have never had anyone tell me or explain how a “housewife” uses it. To the best of my knowledge, I have never used it. If I do, then it has to be on an automatic basis because I don’t understand algebra whatsoever. I absolutely agree that children do need to know basic math skills, in order to be productive later, but why force the more advanced math skills down one’s throat, when they have zero interest in it or the ability to understand it because maybe their interests and abilities are elsewhere? Yes, this letting your child’s own natural abilities to come to the fore naturally, is definitely something that I wish would be practiced more!

[@ThatMountainLife]

Thanks for the thoughtful and incredible comment. Everyone has experiences, opinions, stories and thoughts around school.

[@amberkern2609]

“A lot of great things are spawned from boredom.” I couldn’t agree more. When my boys feel “bored,” I allow them to stay there (which takes about 2 minutes) and then they’re up and imagining. It’s beautiful. Thank you for sharing this. I am also a former public school teacher and see a tremendous lack in our system. I worked tirelessly to give my students a different experience, and I believe the Lord helped me to do that, but only so much can be accomplished within those four walls. I love your perspective. We are also now a homeschooling family 😊

[@ThatMountainLife]

Awesome. Thanks for sharing a little of your journey.

[@amberbernardi]

Thank you for sharing this perspective. It helped tremendously for my questions of the future with this path 😊

[@amberbernardi]

Thank you for sharing this from your prior public school teacher perspective. I needed to hear that 😊

[@MyStitchinDolliverse]

We are unschoolers with 5 kids that are all neurodiverse. My kids started reading at 3 and 4 on their own and have excelled in many subjects and topics because they’re allowed the space to deep dive. I would love more information on getting the kids out to do more free activities outdoors because I have one child in a wheelchair, just getting outside can be a difficult task. Thank you for this video ❤

[@evibertolait8262]

A very good explanation what unschooling can be. I watched my son suffering for years beeing forced to sit inside and learn. I had no ( legal) choice since german children has to be at school for full 10 years. We streched rules and reported him sick half of the time. We could have been all happier in a country with free choice of education.

[@ThatMountainLife]

Sorry to hear that. I understand the intentions of wanting to protect kids by making homeschooling illegal - but those same policy makers have a blind spot for what it takes to create inspiring and self motivating educational journeys. Good on you for doing what you could.

[@promisestarxd9487]

You explained unschooling so well.

[@tamarahblossom9999]

We are unschooling… traveling… thanks for the inspiration

[@ThatMountainLife]

Keep trusting your gut.

[@CeeCeeTheCatmom]

Yesss me and my baby love traveling well she is seven but she loves to travel

[@tiffanywelchhomesteadnmama5524]

Thanks for the info! Currently homeschooling/unschooling. Will definitely be getting that book! Thanks! :)

[@some_sun8502]

My son was a reluctant reader at school. He spent 1 year there. We decided to unschool and let him pick books he eanted to read. They started as i-spy books, then he would move to comics and now chapter books. He fell in love with reading all because we let him follow his own interests

[@Calibri57]

I unschooled my kids until they opted for themselves to attend public school. We let the kids decide their subjects and learning pace in academics. Their curiosity led them to a very well rounded and active education. My daughter went on to obtain her bachelors in Physics/astronomy/photography and her masters in optics. She works with the Keck observatory . My son graduated from an art school with a degree in Industrial Design, which he now uses in his current job as a design engineer. He just had his first child and I hope he continues the traditional way of allowing his children to grow and learn through unschooling, not what our society currently thinks of as a traditional education. I am not a teacher. Our dailies were very much like that described here with lots of community enrichment. Anybody can unschool their kids if they are truly interested in allowing their children to blossom into the people they can be given their own gifts and talents.

[@deemigacz]

When they opted to attend public school did they struggle at all in the subjects that hadn't been particularly drawn to? Or what was that transition like if you don't mind me asking? My kids are 4 and 2 and I am having a heck of a time torn between putting them in public school and homeschooling and I have often wondered if they transition into school later how it goes.

[@shelbynewell7655]

Thank you so much for sharing! I'm not a parent yet but an Early Childhood Educator and I've been digging into what emergent learning looks like and I really appreciate seeing what it can look like and the success children can have beyond the early years!

[@Krystal_Kitty7]

The image at 10:03 oh my God it's beautiful it's a visual representation of what homeschooling/unschooling is. Your children are truly blessed to have such an awesome carefree fun loving life 😊❤

[@jeannielocatelli3961]

Your video is brilliant and succinct. I have so much admiration for this approach and those of you who follow it. Like you, I also support schools that are there for those that need them. I'm a retired teacher. Now, when I have grandchildren around, my house is set up for them to find the activity that they are drawn to, and with plenty of outdoor activities. Skiing is our next project. Go team 'That Mountain Life"!

[@dalmajikkot90]

My natural inclination is towards creative hobbies and video gaming, so if had been born into such a family and in a country that doesn't have a compulsory school attendance, I would have been happy as a child... and completely unprepared for society as an adult. I still enjoyed those hobbies in my free time and continue to do so and while I'm not happy to spend 8 hours a day at work, it makes me enjoy the free time more because it feels earned. Even though I've always been an A student, I can't imagine myself as a kid voluntarily picking up a book on a subject I don't resonate with. I learnt because I was given incentive and I had to meet expectations of my parents and teachers. Even though I've been through bullying and suffer with anxiety, I still wouldn't have chosen staying at home over going to school. I think it prepared me for life, while still giving me free time to pursue my hobbies. Without school, you can't really get a decent job, you're met with the harsh reality as an adult instead as a kid, which is always harder to adapt to. So I'm glad school is mandatory in my country. The system isn't perfect but no system is definitely not an answer.

[@ThatMountainLife]

Thanks for sharing. Our kids will be able to *choose* school. In their teens or early adult years. Unschooled kids can end up pursuing the sciences or medicine in post secondary education - if they want it. Some level of extrinsic motivation is natural and healthy. To not let down a mentor or parent is leading use is great. But systemization of school tips the scale too far prioritizing socialization over individuation. I’m a big proponent of life long learning which includes being able to stick with things that are hard - but it’s the intrinsic motivation and inner drive/curiosity that I want to preserve in my kids.

[@dalmajikkot90]

@@ThatMountainLife that's nice though, I absolutely agree that kids should be encouraged to have their own curiosity and love for learning, I had that naturally in things that interested me but if I had been given a choice I'd avoid maths like a plague 😂 I guess it also depends on the system, which is different in every country and while ours isn't perfect I always felt that I received a lot of individual attention from teachers (mostly because I was always among the smartest kids, at least in language classes and such like). But I agree that for kids who don't fit in, it's a good choice, although I'd probably still opt for following a curiculum at home just because I know how lazy I'd personally become if no one gave me tasks 😅

[@Molsod123]

I absolutely love this! And this resonates with me 100 %. I see this as the path for my children who are 4 and 2. We live remote in the mountains in Sweden and enjoy the outdoor life and activities. Unfortunately homeschooling/unschooling is not an option in Sweden where school is mandatory. So we’re looking at moving once the kids are older. Thanks for your insights!

[@debigoff6949]

I absolutely love your take on child learning! I also have my Master’s degree in Education but found I was not comfortable in a regular school setting. So I went in another direction for my career but this is so refreshing and I wish the U S A would allow this unschooling. Our children would be far better off. Thank you for sharing your experience with your family.

[@JernejBu]

I just keep seeing more evidence of a positive feedback loop or in avalanche heuristic trap speak, the commitment/consistency trap. Life, and education, is not just about having fun, doing whatever you feel like in a particular moment. People need moments of frustration to grow and learn how to handle stress. In your other videos you talk of pushing your kids to explore their boundaries where those lessons are often learned. Yet somehow when it comes to "regular" subjects you seem to be taking the opposite approach. And as I mentioned some time ago, bad schools/teachers are not the norm everywhere. But then again, you need to meet and learn to handle a fair share of those as well.

[@claudec2588]

I very much agree with what you've said. Formal schooling can be uninspiring. I can see that much can be taught organically. But I'm stumped when it comes to Mathematics. You can teach addition and subtraction organically but I'm not so sure about multiplication and division. And how do you teach Geometry and Algebra without having a formal sit down learning session?

[@ThatMountainLife]

I agree that many aspects of geometry and algebra need to be taught in a a more formal lesson. My thesis is, lets not make all kids sit through that if they aren't showing in interest or inclination for it. There will always be people who are drawn more to these things then others. Our culture puts too much weight and overemphasis what people "need" to learn in order to be successful. There is nothing wrong with academics and there is a time and place and NEED for people who love teaching and learning math (even in a traditional/formal sense). But I would argue we loose MORE kids and turn more of them off of math when they are forced to learn it, especially if they aren't "getting it" initially. There's value and merit in the "push" and nudging a student through resistance and supporting them through challenges. That's an example of a nuanced difference in being a good teacher/mentor compared to mandatory, compulsory curriculum that is uninspiring for many students....

[@0xCUBE]

@@ThatMountainLife kids still need basic algebra and geometry to become functioning members of society. In the real world, jobs won't let you just do what you're "inclined to do." At some point, children need to learn the rigor of the real world and the skills needed to thrive

[@maureenmckenna5220]

Most of us spent our lives in traditional schools, learning traditional subjects, and have only that model in understanding education. I strongly believe that you do need a broad outline of where you want your kids’ education to go. Using that, one can take reading in many directions, using the child’s interests to guide choices. And, this keeps the kid interested as they explore their own questions. Same with writing, although here I think an exploration of writing techniques and styles is of great benefit. This can be done with books the child already loves. If you do not understand higher math, and your child shows a proclivity for it, go online, Khan Academy, for example and get help. Education, as it now exists in the public sector, is not able to meet children where they are, or individualize their programs in such a way as to use their strengths to advance through course work that is too easy or boring for them. It remains to be seen if these kids are prepared for the life they choose. Their parents are giving them a happy, joy filled life, and you can’t ask much more than that. They can always study on their own as they grow,

[@ThatMountainLife]

Kahn Academy is an amazing resource. I believe reading and writing are amazing skillsets that can lead to both creative and professional opportunities. And I see our kids slowly learning how to read and right in a very organic and intrinsically motivated way. They see us as parents read and write and naturally want to emulate.

[@shaunsshelf]

Hiya! This was such an easy to digest explanation of unschooling, thank you! I want to share my favorite resources from diverse voices for folks interested: Raising Free People (book) and Fare of the Free Child (podcast) by Akilah Richardson; and Untigering by Iris Chen (she has a great IG of the same name). Unschooling can be such a beautiful practice in liberation for BIPOC as there is a growing number of folks pulling their kids from school in the U.S. due to institutional racism (school-to-prison pipeline) and our whitewashing of history. Unschooling is for everyone!

[@aidenalamo6262]

If I were a parent and had to teach my child at home, I would have them learn it online with me there as a backup model in case of the next pandemic. I have already chosen the school and they allow self paced courses of study with a portfolio of work automatically created from the student's work that they do, so that way I don't have to spend half the day correcting work and not be able to teach my child how to fix dinner or set the table. I do plan sending my offspring to school because of the state's requirements but have this as a backup plan of homeschooling, in case the local school district is ill prepared for the next pandemic.

[@yentamicenteno]

Hola. Sólo quiero agradecerte por compartir tu visión y tus experiencias sobre la desescolarización. Gracias por estar aquí y por inspirar a quienes apostamos por una crianza y una educación diferente. Un abrazo para toda tu familia. 🤗♥

[@ThatMountainLife]

My pleasure. Thanks for the comment.

[@franciavaldez3866]

Thank you for sharing.

[@AventurasdeAnneBia]

Hello, my name is AnneBia and I'm watching your channel!!! Very beautiful!!

[@ForeverCuriouser]

This video was amazing! Thank you so much. Subscribing now 😊 I would absolutely love to see more content like this - about unschooling 🙏

[@junepeyer1200]

❤ Here, here! The kids are growing like crazy!!! Great work, Courtney and Erick! Your kids have a good base for all forms of education. Sure your kids will be mentally stable- something public schools rarely deliver and something we desperately need in this world. More people should unschool as state lead schools are basically indoctrination camps. (Cue the trolls and bots) Heading to the Rockies soon to ski ourselves! All the best to you guys!!!❤

[@user-po4xu2wu8n]

I’m curious how this works for students around high school age? I’m a special education teacher in a small mountain town and I love leaning about alternative ways for students to learn and interact with their surroundings. I’m just curious if this approach sometimes culminates in students getting their GED? Or do some parents who do unschooling get their kiddos into high school so they can get their diploma? OR do students just not get their high school diploma who are unschooled? Curious and excited to learn more!

[@nicolemyers4584]

I know this video is older for you, but unschooled children would get the same diploma as other homeschooled children. High schoolers that would like to pursue college would be motivated to learn the material themselves knowing they need it for college. So, they would take the necessary science, English, math, etc. Unschooling doesn’t mean no curriculum, it just means child led. Knorpp and South has good videos on unschooling.

[@alanbeale1379]

I have great admiration for what you and your wife are doing with your children. You are awesome parents and have lovely children. I hated the regimentation and inflexibility of school. In fact I learnt so much more after I left school and this self education has continued throughout my life. I would have loved to have been in an unschooling environment. I can honestly say that there was very little that I took into adult life from my school days. Love your videos, letting children flourish and blossom in the outdoors is life itself.

[@ThatMountainLife]

Yah, the amount of learning and unlearning for me that happened after my school years felt like a lot. I was free to pursue interests that I enjoyed and was a sponge while doing them.

[@kasketchayne]

I totally love this concept, and wish it had been present in my youth. As an American, I'm interested to know how unschooling works in relation to Canadian "standard education requirements", whatever they may be. What is the unschooling equivalent to the standard public school graduation requirements?

[@ThatMountainLife]

Thankfully for us in BC, there is a government recognized program called Self Design. And just like they do in regular public schools for kids who are struggling, they essentially collaborate with the learner to create an IEP. "Independent Education Plan." Although not stated, these are often seen as something extra and in a "negative light" within the public school system for us an unschooling family it aligns with our values. Within Self-Design the learners tell the teachers what lights them up and what areas or interests they will be pursing in their lives. This includes ALL sorts of things and the teacher then matches what the learner has done to the curriculum. It essentially inverts the order of the legacy education process and puts the learner first. It's awesome. There are also families who participate in this model who do much more traditional academics. A true unschooling model has room for all sorts of processes and journeys.

[@irenelandry7621]

❤Right on Erich!❤

[@denisetarabori553]

I found this very interesting!!

[@leafylinnea2074]

i agree with pretty much all of it, but i don’t see how they could become successful in society without significant knowledge in subjects like math, history, and some sciences. with what used-po4 said, how would this work in middle and high school where they need this education in certain subjects to graduate and get a job. when i have kids, i am looking to use a similar format as you throughout elementary school, and slowly work in more homeschooling curriculum and most likely put them in a public school in high school to develop the needed real-life skills and knowledge in history, maths, and sciences, to be succesful in the real world.

[@Yeewen88]

Yes they can move when their older for most interests

[@meadowlark8197]

How are you integrating math, physics and science lessons in your unschooling approach?

[@turangatohiariki3042]

Nature

[@ThatMountainLife]

In a formalized, measurable sense? We aren't. But our kids run to the grocery store and purchase things there and at farmer's markets. They play monopoly, poker, chess and Yahtzee etc for basic math skills. They manage their own money have some daily applications for basic math. Science? Science is life. They're asking questions and paying attention to magazines and the occasional show that introduced science concepts. Physics? Physics is getting pretty niche and specialty and is NOT required by anyone to learn in order to be successful members of society. The point of unschooling is to allow the learners who have a natural affinity for math, science or physics to double down and explore those areas more in depth...instead of trying to make sure everyone understand and learns lots in each area. That's just not as helpful, nor how people or the world works. Is there a basic bench mark for reading, math and understanding science? Of course, but there's not rush or timeline necessary to get there.

[@meadowlark8197]

@@ThatMountainLife But do you not think that your kids need a certain level of formal knowledge in math an sciences that they really have the freedom to pick between a lifestyle that you are currently having and the so-called normal mainstream lifestyle? In other words are you not limiting the opportunity of your kids with your approach that you described?

[@Calibri57]

As an unschooler whose kids went on in science and math, unschooling works best in the younger years for children. As the kids grow and develop their interests, more structured learning can happen when they declare themselves ready. My daughter was learning calculus from a textbook curriculum at home at the age of 15. She chose the curriculum. She eventually opted to join a public high school to explore the social life as well as the offered AP curricula. When she obtained a scholarship to college is when her love of formal science truly emerged and she blossomed into the scientist she is today. But be aware that not every child will express an interest to this level. Some kids are born to be artists, or musicians, or athletes, or entrepreneurs, or…the list goes on. The point of unschooling is to allow these children to explore their disciplines and their creative impulses freely. And they will…they will find those fields that they love best and they will become adept at them.

[@ClaudiAlexa]

Todavia tengo mis dudas sobre este movimiento... Creo que hay pocos datos de cómo finalmente estos chicos se adaptaran a su entorno cuando esten mayores, en el sentido de que la vida funciona con cierta estructura, puede que se queden viviendo en el bosque y haciendo trabajos artisticos o deportivos... Pero, creo que en la adolescencia le faltará una dosis de mundo real, por si la vida se pone dificil y tienen que vivir como el resto

[@ciaranolsen7617]

Thanks for sharing this message, I agree but not the point haha

[@deno9607]

In Minnesota, you have to test your kids based on what subjects they tell you to teach. How can you unschool this way?

[@ThatMountainLife]

Play the game enough. Don’t care about the test results. Be transparent with your kids about it all…you can be a “homeschooling family” to the state but then loosen up and be mostly an unschooling family in your home.

[@sisterandfam]

How do you handle or what are your thoughts on technology?

[@ThatMountainLife]

Less during childhood. More for opportunities, learning, creating and conscious use/connecting when older. I think it’s useful but screens have a real effect on human brains.

[@simonspartyof6]

I'm currently homeschooling my oldest whose in kindergarten and we do use a curriculum because I was given the material to do at home when we pulled him from his other school due to moving. Next year for first grade I'm looking more into unschooling him. How do you get around the district asking for proof of school work? How do you teach them math reading writing writing in a unschooling way?

[@ThatMountainLife]

Keep learning and connected with people, educators and groups online. There are ways to “play the game” and provide “proof of learning” from wholistic, daily activities and interests. Any teacher or district SHOULD be able to recognize that supported and loving 1 on 1 learning journey at home is bound to have many organic learning moments. When we’ve signed up for Self Design in the past or work with our local “online school” program here…we report and share what our kids did for the week or month and are able to meet much of the curriculum. We are also okay getting a low grade/score in some areas if are child is lit up, having fun and learning in other areas and “fails to meet the criteria.”

[@FlightlessFiend]

So lying

[@mariaberg3780]

How do the kids make friends?

[@ThatMountainLife]

By being involved in our community. Forest school, team sports, outdoor neighborhood play, ski programs, family friends….

[@_jillkay]

But what if you can’t afford all these extra-curriculars for your kids. 😞 We are scraping by these days, and where I am, a 12 week program of whatever is hundreds of dollars, per kid. Not only that…my kids have no interest in doing them 😬

[@ThatMountainLife]

That’s fair. We sometimes “push” our kids out of their comfort and preference zone to try different sports and activities. I know this is the opposite of “child-lead” but I do still believe that sometimes children benefit from being lead into new things (even if first met with resistance). Navigating how we push/nudge our kids is pretty key. And how often this happens is key as well. As for costs, I hear you. I understand that extracurriculars usually always cost. Where we are soccer is the most affordable sport with fees. And it is possible to start or join homeschool co-ops of sorts that typically don’t cost anything. Sometimes parents are trading in their time/supervision for other days they can have “off.” And this all makes me think of the farm kids or any of the families that don’t subscribe to any extracurricular programming. It’s possible to still create a nourishing and healthy life for our kids without having to pay tuition fee after fee. It’s important for kids to have more than JUST mom or to just be at home all day everyday. Getting creative and finding ways for kids to play, socialize and interact/participate in new things is a worth while priority.

[@anyonsbosons4049]

👍👍👍Sincerely wish you success 👊👊👊lol

[@oliviapiairofernandes8042]

Erich s'il vous plaît parlez un peu en français. Vous parlez trop vite je ne comprends pas tout. L'éducation que vous donnez à vos enfants est très bien. Mais en France l'école est obligatoire. Au Canada ont parle aussi le français. Gros bisous à Ania. Elle est super intelligente. ❤😅🎉

[@ThatMountainLife]

Haha, you wouldn’t understand anything if I spoke French!

[@TJ-dz3ot]

when do you let math slip in to their day?

[@ThatMountainLife]

I don’t worry about that in the least. Basic useful math pops up organically throughout life. We also play chess, poker, monopoly, Yahtzee. The basics have been coming through those games and when dealing with and experiencing money.

[@fluteloop6737]

Sounds like they're getting all the math they need to get a cushy gig running a cash register

[@TJ-dz3ot]

Dont get me wrong, I enjoy the way you have chosen to teach and nurture your children.

[@butterflylady5477]

Hi, if they want to learn something they go for that is amazing we have everything on our hands these days! Just an opinion😉

[@jolicoeur999]

Adia would be a great leader in the school, but she always is the little in the family lol

[@user-oe3fr5in2d]

Which country do you live?

[@ThatMountainLife]

Canada

[@fluteloop6737]

I only know one family that does this: 1. They are total weirdos B. Their child is an out of control monster D. Their child is 12 and reads at a 1st grade level

[@ThatMountainLife]

It takes boundaries, leadership and a bunch of time to be there for children. Not all families can do this. Just like in school not all kids that attend end up receiving the support they need.

[@fluteloop6737]

@@ThatMountainLife In a school there is at least a modicum of accountability. This 12 year old would have a reading specialist and possibly more. I'm sure this works for some families, but the lack of oversight is questionable at best. Not to dig too hard, maybe your kids will thrive, but Yahtzee, chess and poker won't even provide the basic math skills to work competently in the trades.

[@butterflylady5477]

Hi,they may not care about their children!

[@limeallens6160]

They should also be taught of their creator who created all things and loves them. His Son is named Jesus and he died for us on the cross.

[@LithiumFlowerr]

People like you are exhausting. Just leave people be. If they want to teach or partake in your religion they will.