Unschooling is a concept which is relatively different from homeschooling although both have the same general principle in mind: the goal is to give your child more individualized attention with a more flexible school routine. Where homeschooling and unschooling differ is in scheduling and approach. Homeschooling typically offers a more formalized curriculum depending on the parents. Unschooling, on the other hand, looks at life itself as the format through which children can learn. For example, a homeschooling family might choose a workbook or lesson plan to learn more about insects, whereas an unschooling family will take a walk in the woods and learn hands-on. Homeschooling families may also choose hands-on learning but unschooling families do so far more often. While both options provide a flexible learning environment, the unschooling option can be made more child-friendly. Children learn best when they are ready and when learning is made fun. In fact, this is what unschooling is all about. Moreover, an unschooled child is able to proceed at her own pace. In order to get a diploma or an official certificate, state requirements must be met in terms of taking formalized tests, and these vary with each state, but it is easier to move on at your child's maturity level with unschooling.
One other advantage of unschooling involves the age at which children learn to read. The formalized school environment will demand it by a certain age as may a homeschooled environment. Unschooled children, on the other hand, learn to read whenever they are ready, regardless of what other children of their age are doing. Having a more flexible routine is ideal for families needing flexibility in scheduling. Rather than needing to proceed at lessons each school day and correspond learning with the exact times of the public school's schedule, an unschooling family can school whenever and wherever they want. Suppose your family will be taking a vacation during October while other children are in school. Your kids can learn on the road and have fun, too. Every little bit of life provides a learning opportunity. When you stop for supper on vacation, your children will learn social skills in a restaurant and how to estimate portions and sizes of meals. They can also learn about the exchange of money and budgeting in the family. Rest areas along your route can provide unique learning opportunities for kids, regarding nature and history. Many road stops have factual information about the area you are traveling through and your children will most probably remember the place more easily since it was not read in a book and was more of an experience. Staying in motels can also provide learning for your kids when they watch the news in different parts of the country. A student in a formalized school structure may read about the fifty states, but your kids will learn everything by living it. Children are most receptive to learning when it is made fun and interesting and provides real life experience. Why not put a few minutes aside to consider unschooling?