Unschooling is a form of home-based education where children learn by exploring their own interests rather than following a fixed curriculum. Instead of structured lessons, children might spend their time reading, doing projects, exploring nature, asking questions or pursuing hobbies.
The method is gaining traction in British Columbia, a province often known for its progressive approaches to education.
It is important to understand that unschooling is different from homeschooling. While homeschoolers often follow a set curriculum at home, unschoolers focus on “learning by living.” Their learning happens through everyday activities like cooking, gardening, playing, exploring the outdoors or even building with blocks or doing art. The idea behind unschooling is that children will naturally seek out the knowledge they need when they’re engaged in things that interest them.
So, is Unschooling Right for Your Family?
Unschooling is a unique approach, and it likely won’t work for every family. Here are a few things to consider before deciding if you should unschool:
1. Your Child’s Learning Style. Unschooling tends to work best for kids who are independent, and eager to learn through exploration. If your child loves asking questions, diving into projects and exploring new topics on their own, unschooling could be a great fit.
On the other hand, some children need at least some guidance and structure to stay focused. If your child prefers clear directions and thrives with set goals, they may feel frustrated or lost without the framework that traditional schooling provides.
2. Your Family’s Lifestyle. Unschooling works best in families where parents are actively involved in their child’s learning journey—helping to provide resources, answer questions and support their child’s interests. If your family enjoys hands-on learning, exploring new activities and taking spontaneous trips, unschooling could be a perfect fit.
However, if you prefer a more predictable schedule or if your family’s lifestyle doesn’t allow for a lot of flexibility, unschooling may feel overwhelming. Additionally, if you’re juggling work or other commitments, you might find it challenging to dedicate the time needed for unschooling.
3. Your Child’s Social Needs. Unschooling can offer rich learning opportunities, but it’s important to think about how your child will stay socially connected. Unlike traditional types of schooling, where children are around peers every day, unschooling may require more effort to arrange social interactions. Luckily, there are homeschooling and unschooling social or educational groups in several cities in BC.
4. Your Comfort with an Unstructured Approach. Unschooling requires a large shift in mindset about education because there are no grades or fixed milestones to track your child’s progress. This can be freeing, but it can also be daunting. If you’re anxious about meeting specific educational standards or worry about ”falling behind,” unschooling might be stressful for your family.
How to Start Unschooling in BC
If you decide that unschooling is the right fit for you, here’s how to get started.
1. Register as a Homeschooler. The first step is to register your child as a homeschooler with a public or independent school. This process is straightforward, and once registered, you’ll have the freedom to unschool your child without adhering to a formal curriculum.
2. Create a Stimulating Environment (Inside and Outside of the Home). Unschooling happens everywhere, so make your home an environment where learning can naturally unfold. Fill your space with books, art supplies, science kits and musical instruments. Use your community as a learning resource—BC has libraries, nature centres, museums and cultural institutions that can spark your child’s interests. And don’t forget parks, oceans, lakes and even your own back yard, which can be incredible places for exploring and learning.
3. Follow Your Child’s Lead. Pay attention to what sparks your child’s curiosity and follow their interests. Whether it’s cooking, birds, space exploration or building things, unschooling allows children to dive deeply into topics they are passionate about. Online tutorials and local libraries can be great ways to delve into certain subjects of interest.
Unschooling in British Columbia offers a flexible, child-led approach to learning that can be an incredibly rewarding experience for the right families. By following your child’s interests, creating a vast learning environment and tapping into resources in your area, you can foster a lifelong love of learning in your child.
