What does the Catholic Church teach about unschooling? Would it be sinful for Catholic parents to unschool their children?

[mr_gregitalian]

Unschooling is an educational method and philosophy that advocates learner-chosen activities as a primary means for learning. In other words, unschooling is where children are not taught anything in a traditional standard setting, but rather learn what they want to learn from their curiosity.

Therefore, unschooled children are not even homeschooled. For the most part, they stay home and are not encouraged to read or learn any type of curriculum. Parents allow their unschooled children to do whatever they want.

My opinion is that unschooling is not education at all. Anyone who thinks otherwise shows a great sign of ignorance. Unschooling seems lazy and irresponsible on the parents part. Children need guidance and structure form the parents for their education.

What does the Catholic Church teach about unschooling? Would it be sinful for Catholic parents to unschool their children?

 

[on_the_hill]

I saw an unschooling family profiled on a TV show–which is my only exposure to it. So I can’t answer your question. I will say that the children in the documentary were being done a serious disservice by their parents.

And I’m a little familiar with a private school that is about as close to unschool as a school can get and still charge people money to have their kids enrolled there. I think it might work for a very, very slim fraction of children and not at all for the vast, vast majority.

 

[kozlosap]

As a retired teacher with 35 years service and a MA in special ed, I cannot stop laughing long enough to type this. Unschooling sounds like the lazy parents answer to having to deal with school for at least 12 years. Many kids are not self motivated and need someone to provide them with curriculum so they can become a functioning part of society. Even the Duggar’s have their kids do a computer based program - granted, none of them have gone on to the university, but that is more to keep them in the Quiverfull cult.

 

[catholicmamajoy]

Not encouraged to read? No, that is incorrect. Books are a mainstay of an unschooling family. Just not the textbooks that people tend to associate with any kind of learning or education. Music, art, museums, videos, and plenty of real life experiences are also part of unschooling, too.

Taking a look at a few real life experiences and resources from faithful Catholic families that “unschool” might help you to better understand that term with regards to Catholic “unschooling” or “delight-directed” or “interest-led” learning:

storiesofanunschoolingfamily.com/

livingwithoutschool.wordpress.com/

and some books:

amazon.com/Little-Way-Homeschooling-Suzie-Andres/dp/0983180008/ref=pd_sim_b_1/187-9761804-3366103?ie=UTF8&refRID=0BNFCHFP2NVF544H1JY7

amazon.com/Homeschooling-Gentleness-Catholic-Discovers-Unschooling/dp/0931888794

It’s not the free-for-all that some tend to think it is. Sure, there are Radical Unschoolers, but as you can see from the links I’ve posted, “Catholic Unschooling” isn’t “radical” in that sense.

 

[AKDee]

I’m not sure what the Catholic teaching is on it, but my opinion would be that parents have a moral obligation to provide the education to their children that they would need to be able to be self-sufficient as adults. The “unschooling” approach doesn’t sound like it would be effective for that.

 

[10gr8kids]

I homeschool my children, and we spend a lot of time on reading, English, and math. If I didn’t make them do it, they would never learn it on their own. However, we do a lot of unschooling with science and history. We spend a lot of time together as a family, and they are always asking questions about things we talk about. We also watch documentaries on history and nature. In fact, last night we watched a show on NOVA about the history of math. My 11 year old daughter got pretty bored and left, but my 12 year old son watched the whole hour. It was way above my head, but I’m sure we got a little out of it. I gave them an eighth grade history test the other day to see how they were doing, they both made an 80%.
Basically, I figure if it is something they are interested in they will learn it better and retain more of it if they learn it from their own questions than in a setting where they are just being spoonfed facts. What they don’t care to learn, I have to drill into them the best I can.

 

[Mintaka]

If you had a family of voracious readers who are also very curious to do experiments, good at math, and very active with games and art and everything else, this could be done.

But you would also have to do a lot of testing or questioning, to find out what your kids had actually learned and retained. Then you’d have to go back and fill in gaps. So there would have to be some kind of structure.

Also, you’d obviously have to make sure your kids were well-prepared to receive the Sacraments and had memorized the stuff they needed to know; so there would have to be some kind of structure there, too.

Personally, I was a smart kid, but I never could remember left from right until I learned that Left was the hand that made an L with forefinger and thumb. I learned this from a book in 2nd grade. All kids have their own weird learning gaps, and parents (and/or teachers) are always having to fill them in.

 

[mr_gregitalian]

If you had a family of voracious readers who are also very curious to do experiments, good at math, and very active with games and art and everything else, this could be done.

But you would also have to do a lot of testing or questioning, to find out what your kids had actually learned and retained. Then you’d have to go back and fill in gaps. So there would have to be some kind of structure.

Also, you’d obviously have to make sure your kids were well-prepared to receive the Sacraments and had memorized the stuff they needed to know; so there would have to be some kind of structure there, too.

Personally, I was a smart kid, but I never could remember left from right until I learned that Left was the hand that made an L with forefinger and thumb. I learned this from a book in 2nd grade. All kids have their own weird learning gaps, and parents (and/or teachers) are always having to fill them in.

The thing about unschooling is that they don’t believe in taking tests. There is absolutely no structure at all in unschooling.

 

[pensmama87]

The thing about unschooling is that they don’t believe in taking tests. There is absolutely no structure at all in unschooling.

That probably depends on the “unschooler.”

My kids will probably attend our public school when they reach kindergarten age. But right now, they are “unschooled.” I don’t sit down and do lessons with them. Nevertheless, they learn quite a lot thanks to their natural curiosity, and I can tell without giving them a test.

My understanding of “unschooling” is that style of learning is simply extended into the years that we typically associate with a curriculum (which is earlier now than it used to be). For some families, yeah, I could see that being a very good fit. It wouldn’t be for us, and I don’t think it’s an excuse to be lazy. One family I know who “unschools” is actually very, very motivated and their kids are incredibly bright.

 

[catholicmamajoy]

The thing about unschooling is that they don’t believe in taking tests. There is absolutely no structure at all in unschooling.

Some do use tests, be it formal standardized tests or simply quizzes to assess how much was learned and retained. Others may not. The level of structure varies with each family.

Did you read any** of my earlier post? The one with links to the blogs of **real **Catholic unschoolers and books written about Catholic unschooling by the parents who use that philosophy?

storiesofanunschoolingfamily.com/2014/05/five-minutes-on-friday-what-is.html

storiesofanunschoolingfamily.com/2014/05/twice-five-minutes-on-friday-does.html

storiesofanunschoolingfamily.com/2014/03/some-thoughts-on-unschooling-and-experts.html

I understand that you don’t agree with that kind of education (we have people on this forum who vehemently oppose homeschooling for whatever reason), but please take a look at overall Catholic**** unschooling before you form a final opinion based on what you’ve heard about some radical unschoolers or those who don’t have a proven success record with this philosophy.

 

[Selah_KY]

My opinion is that unschooling is not education at all. Anyone who thinks otherwise shows a great sign of ignorance. Unschooling seems lazy and irresponsible on the parents part. Children need guidance and structure form the parents for their education.

Ouch. My opinion is that you are basing your opinion on ZERO facts or actual research. I think otherwise and not only am I not ignorant, I have graduated two student who unschooled and are now adults. One is a productive member of society, the other is majoring in math at a local university while working to support herself. My third unschooled child will graduate in June 2016.

Quite the opposite of “lazy” and “irresponsible”, most unschooling parents have a much better relationship and understanding of their children’s educational needs than their public schooled peers, and often even their traditionally homeschooled peers. Unschooling requires much more work than opening a book and following a script written by someone else, then sticking a test under the nose of the student.

amazon.com/Little-Way-Homeschooling-Suzie-Andres/dp/0983180008/ref=pd_sim_b_1/187-9761804-3366103?ie=UTF8&refRID=0BNFCHFP2NVF544H1JY7

A Little Way of Uschooling by Suzy Andres
Wonderful, wonderful book! Not only did it help me stay focused, I was introduced to Saint Thérèse of Lisieux for the first time. I hadn’t even committed to RCIA when I read this but it was just another confirmation I was on the right path.

But you would also have to do a lot of testing or questioning, to find out what your kids had actually learned and retained.

No, really, we don’t have to do those things to know what our children are learning. It’s a relationship that most people are unable to comprehend because it is outside of the box you’ve always known.

All kids have their own weird learning gaps, and parents (and/or teachers) are always having to fill them in.

Do you know everything about everything? I’d guess not. In other words, you have gaps. All ADULTS have gaps, and better off is the person who is taught how to fill a gap that needs to be filled on their own without having to rely on a “parent” or “teacher” to fill it.

Ironically, it is BECAUSE of “gaps” - differing scope & sequences - between schools that led us to homeschool in the first place. Any military family can tell you why we need some kind of national standard for education. We didn’t even see continuity between school districts within the same county when our kids had to switch schools. The probability of three schools in one year finally gave us the courage to break away from the traditional box. That was 15 years ago and we’ve never looked back.

The thing about unschooling is that they don’t believe in taking tests. There is absolutely no structure at all in unschooling.

Again, you are offering an opinion that isn’t born by facts.

I understand that you don’t agree with that kind of education (we have people on this forum who vehemently oppose homeschooling for whatever reason), but please take a look at overall Catholic unschooling before you form a final opinion based on what you’ve heard about some radical unschoolers or those who don’t have a proven success record with this philosophy.****

 

[SueElvis]

Hi, I’m Sue Elvis from the blog Stories of an Unschooling Family. Thank you catholicmamajoy for linking this thread to some of my posts.

Is it sinful for Catholic parents to unschool their children? I think this is an interesting question and quite okay to ask if people are genuinely interested in finding out the answer. It’s good to question and share, and learn more about other people’s ways of life, even if we don’t want to adopt them ourselves. We have to be open-minded and look at the facts, as Selah KY said. Unfortunately, unschooling isn’t very well understood. Many people think they know what it’s all about, but really have no real idea. And many of these people have been very vocal, spreading their false opinions about unschooling, especially across the Internet, which leads to others being put off by this legitimate way of life and education.

Can Catholics unschool? A good book to read is Suzie Andres’ ‘Homeschooling with Gentleness: a Catholic Discovers Unschooling’. It’s been a while since I read it (and I’ve given away my copy so can’t check) but I seem to remember Suzie went through the Church documents in a systematic way and yes, unschooling is fully in line with our faith. The book’s preface was written by Ralph McInerny, noted Thomistic philosopher and public speaker. Also someone mentioned Suzie’s other book, "A Little Way of Homeschooling’.

I have written many, many posts about unschooling my Catholic family (current ages 11-28). I don’t feel I need to defend our way of life, but in a spirit of sharing for anyone who is genuinely interested, I will add a few details. My children are well educated for those who might worry about educational standards. The 4 eldest have all studied at university level. More importantly I feel my children are being allowed to become the people God means them to be. They know their faith. They are not perfect, but none of us are. They are, however, continually growing and learning.

Aren’t we all, as Catholics, called to love unconditionally, respect others and trust God? Aren’t we called to give of ourselves freely, rather than demand others give to us? This is what we do as Catholics. This is what we do as unschoolers. It’s not about doing whatever we want, but about being free to choose what is right. And unschoolers do choose freely to do what is right. The motivation comes from within them, and is not imposed from outside, which I feel is much more valuable. Where do they learn what is right? From the examples around them. I am very involved with every aspect of my children’s lives. It’s not easy being an unschooling parent. But then again, it’s not easy being a Catholic. It involves a lot of trying, falling, forgiving, trust, and of course grace.

There is so much else I could say, but I can’t in a comment. Catholic unschooling is so rich. It’s our life. It’s our faith. I’m quite happy to answer any questions, and I’d welcome anyone who wants to stop by at my blog.

 

[DaisymaeD]

I would have never learned boring, tedious skills like long division and spelling if I hadn’t been forced to.

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

I would have never learned boring, tedious skills like long division and spelling if I hadn’t been forced to.

Well thank goodness for spell check and calculators then…

Outside of homeschooling my children I cannot imagine a time I have used long division Nor have I had to do it in an interview and I used to be an accountant…

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

Hi, I’m Sue Elvis from the blog Stories of an Unschooling Family. Thank you catholicmamajoy for linking this thread to some of my posts.

Is it sinful for Catholic parents to unschool their children? I think this is an interesting question and quite okay to ask if people are genuinely interested in finding out the answer. It’s good to question and share, and learn more about other people’s ways of life, even if we don’t want to adopt them ourselves. We have to be open-minded and look at the facts, as Selah KY said. Unfortunately, unschooling isn’t very well understood. Many people think they know what it’s all about, but really have no real idea. And many of these people have been very vocal, spreading their false opinions about unschooling, especially across the Internet, which leads to others being put off by this legitimate way of life and education.

Can Catholics unschool? A good book to read is Suzie Andres’ ‘Homeschooling with Gentleness: a Catholic Discovers Unschooling’. It’s been a while since I read it (and I’ve given away my copy so can’t check) but I seem to remember Suzie went through the Church documents in a systematic way and yes, unschooling is fully in line with our faith. The book’s preface was written by Ralph McInerny, noted Thomistic philosopher and public speaker. Also someone mentioned Suzie’s other book, "A Little Way of Homeschooling’.

I have written many, many posts about unschooling my Catholic family (current ages 11-28). I don’t feel I need to defend our way of life, but in a spirit of sharing for anyone who is genuinely interested, I will add a few details. My children are well educated for those who might worry about educational standards. The 4 eldest have all studied at university level. More importantly I feel my children are being allowed to become the people God means them to be. They know their faith. They are not perfect, but none of us are. They are, however, continually growing and learning.

Aren’t we all, as Catholics, called to love unconditionally, respect others and trust God? Aren’t we called to give of ourselves freely, rather than demand others give to us? This is what we do as Catholics. This is what we do as unschoolers. It’s not about doing whatever we want, but about being free to choose what is right. And unschoolers do choose freely to do what is right. The motivation comes from within them, and is not imposed from outside, which I feel is much more valuable. Where do they learn what is right? From the examples around them. I am very involved with every aspect of my children’s lives. It’s not easy being an unschooling parent. But then again, it’s not easy being a Catholic. It involves a lot of trying, falling, forgiving, trust, and of course grace.

There is so much else I could say, but I can’t in a comment. Catholic unschooling is so rich. It’s our life. It’s our faith. I’m quite happy to answer any questions, and I’d welcome anyone who wants to stop by at my blog.

Thanks for the comment. While I would not choose unschooling for my kids I recognize that many who do are doing so as an act of love and responsibility to their children. Many can be quick to condemn choices that are not their own.

 

[KCT]

Unschooling is an educational method and philosophy that advocates learner-chosen activities as a primary means for learning. In other words, unschooling is where children are not taught anything in a traditional standard setting, but rather learn what they want to learn from their curiosity.

Therefore, unschooled children are not even homeschooled. For the most part, they stay home and are not encouraged to read or learn any type of curriculum. Parents allow their unschooled children to do whatever they want.

Please tell us where you found this definition of unschooling.

 

[QuasiCatholic]

Well thank goodness for spell check and calculators then…

Outside of homeschooling my children I cannot imagine a time I have used long division Nor have I had to do it in an interview and I used to be an accountant…

What kind of accountant doesn’t use long division?

I do long division in my head almost every day at some point or another and my job has nothing to do with math.

And spell check is useless because it only catches misspellings that aren’t words at all, not instances where you mean to spell one word but actually end up spelling another.

The fact that you think it’s OK to rely on spell check and calculators and you were the one teaching your kids just makes me sad

 

[Selah_KY]

I would have never learned boring, tedious skills like long division and spelling if I hadn’t been forced to.

Actually, you’ll never know what you would have learned if you hadn’t been forced to. Unschooled children can and do learn long division and spelling without being coerced. I know many, many unschooled students. How many have you met?

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

What kind of accountant doesn’t use long division?

I do long division in my head almost every day at some point or another and my job has nothing to do with math.

And spell check is useless because it only catches misspellings that aren’t words at all, not instances where you mean to spell one word but actually end up spelling another.

The fact that you think it’s OK to rely on spell check and calculators and you were the one teaching your kids just makes me sad

Oh don’t you worry too much about my children’s education. You have never met them. But I appreciate the cheap shot.
Many on CAF complain about a rigid judegementalism that people have. I think this is one of those times.
Just to put your mind at ease. We use Seton curriculum which is more rigorous and “old school” than most schools use. It is quite Math heavy and the Writing and English is exceptional. My kids learn Cursive, sentence diagramming, and spend quite a bit of time with math. Which is more than most schools teach these days.

And accountants (good ones employed by major corporations) almost NEVER do long division or any sort of hand written Math at any time. Technology has advanced beyond that entirely. Most corporations would actually forbid it. There is way too much liability. There are a few people I know (accountants) who still hand write their taxes but mostly everything is done using programs and software. As it should be. This makes following SOX guidelines and GAAP guidelines easier. Sure, good ole Susan who works for a Ma and Pa Store might keep hand written ledgers but that is discouraged in a corporate environment. I for one feel much better as a stock holder knowing that the corporations balance sheets are done by software rather than someone who uses long division for the fun of it.

 

[QuasiCatholic]

Oh don’t you worry too much about my children’s education. You have never met them. But I appreciate the cheap shot.
Many on CAF complain about a rigid judegementalism that people have. I think this is one of those times.
Just to put your mind at ease. We use Seton curriculum which is more rigorous and “old school” than most schools use. It is quite Math heavy and the Writing and English is exceptional. My kids learn Cursive, sentence diagramming, and spend quite a bit of time with math. Which is more than most schools teach these days.

And accountants (good ones employed by major corporations) almost NEVER do long division or any sort of hand written Math at any time. Technology has advanced beyond that entirely. Most corporations would actually forbid it. There is way too much liability. There are a few people I know (accountants) who still hand write their taxes but mostly everything is done using programs and software. As it should be. This makes following SOX guidelines and GAAP guidelines easier. Sure, good ole Susan who works for a Ma and Pa Store might keep hand written ledgers but that is discouraged in a corporate environment. I for one feel much better as a stock holder knowing that the corporations balance sheets are done by software rather than someone who uses long division for the fun of it.

I’m not arguing that calculators and computer software aren’t useful. I’m objecting to you saying that it doesn’t matter if kids learn long division or spelling because they have programs that can do that for them now. Knowing how to use a program that does math is NOT the same as understanding what that program is doing. And technological advances will never be a reasonable reason to discount the value of learning fundamentals.

Also, for the record, I never said anything about your kids’ intelligence or curriculum. What I said is that someone who thinks skipping fundamentals is OK in any situation shouldn’t be teaching.