by Martha Scharping
February 13, 2025
Learn about the education trend of unschooling, how it’s different from home schooling, and the controversy it faces.
In recent years, traditional educational models have been increasingly challenged by alternative approaches. One such model that has gained significant attention is unschooling, an educational philosophy that differs from both conventional schooling and traditional homeschooling. This blog explores what unschooling is, how it has grown over time, the reasons why some parents are adopting this model, and the critiques and challenges it faces.
Unschooling is a learner-centered approach to education in which children direct their own learning rather than following a predetermined curriculum. Unlike homeschooling, which often still involves structured lessons and formal assessments, unschooling emphasizes organic learning experiences that arise naturally from a child's interests and everyday life. The role of the parent in unschooling is typically to facilitate learning opportunities rather than to teach in a conventional sense.
John Holt, an educator and advocate for educational reform in the 1970s, is widely credited with coining the term "unschooling." Holt believed that children learn best when they have the freedom to explore subjects of personal interest without the pressures of standardized testing or rigid instruction. Proponents of unschooling argue that this method fosters a love of learning by allowing children to explore their world at their own pace.
Unschooling, while not a new concept, saw increased attention during the COVID-19 pandemic. As schools closed and parents sought alternative methods of educating their children, many turned to homeschooling and unschooling to provide more flexibility in their children’s education. According to several reports, this shift away from traditional schooling during the pandemic prompted a significant rise in interest in unschooling.
Social media platforms, particularly TikTok, have also contributed to the spread of unschooling. Videos showcasing this child-led approach have gone viral, sparking discussions and raising awareness about unschooling among parents who may not have considered this educational model previously. Despite its growth, unschooling remains a relatively niche practice compared to other forms of alternative education, and the actual number of unschooling families is difficult to track due to minimal reporting requirements in many states.
Parents who choose unschooling cite several reasons for their decision, many of which are related to dissatisfaction with traditional education systems. Some parents are concerned that conventional schools do not adequately address individual learning styles or fail to cultivate creativity and critical thinking. Others prefer the flexibility that unschooling offers, allowing children to pursue subjects that interest them and to learn at their own pace, without the pressure of standardized assessments or rigid deadlines.
Additionally, unschooling proponents argue that this approach can provide children with a more holistic and practical education. Everyday tasks such as cooking, gardening, or even shopping can become opportunities for learning, with parents often guiding children through these activities to teach skills ranging from mathematics to problem-solving.
In practice, unschooling varies widely depending on the family and the child’s interests. For example, Kori Simmons from Indiana engages her children in hands-on learning projects, such as creating Oobleck (a non-Newtonian fluid) to explore scientific concepts. Similarly, some families use real-life experiences like trips to museums or outdoor activities as opportunities to teach history, science, or geography.
On social media platforms like TikTok, influencers such as Onami have shared their unschooling journeys, highlighting how everyday activities, from reading to cooking, can become educational experiences. While these examples illustrate how unschooling can work in practice, they also highlight the diverse ways in which unschooling families approach education.
Despite its increasing popularity, unschooling faces several critiques. One of the most common concerns is whether unschooled children receive a comprehensive education. Without a structured curriculum, some critics worry that children may not be exposed to essential subjects like mathematics, science, or writing. This lack of structure could potentially result in gaps in knowledge, which may affect a child’s future academic or professional opportunities.
Another point of concern is the minimal regulation of unschooling in many states. In places like Indiana, for example, there is little oversight of homeschooling and unschooling practices, making it difficult to assess the quality of education that children are receiving. This lack of regulation has led some to argue that unschooling may be used as a cover for educational neglect, though supporters of the model argue that when done correctly, unschooling fosters a deep love of learning and self-sufficiency.
As unschooling continues to grow in popularity, it raises important questions about how children learn best and what the future of education could look like. For now, unschooling remains a viable, though often debated, option for families seeking a different approach to learning.
For more information on unschooling, homeschooling, and other key education trends, read Simba Information’s bi-monthly newsletter Education Market Advisor. Subscribe to our blog using the blue button on the bottom right to easily access more articles like this in the future.
About the blogger: Martha Scharping is the Education Analyst and Writer for Simba Information, the leading authority of strategic intelligence for EdTech companies and other producers of instructional materials for K-12 and higher education.
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