Unschooled: Raising Curious, Well-Educated Children Outside the Conventional Classroom

by Kerry McDonald, Peter Gray (Foreword)

Education has become synonymous with schooling, but it doesn’t have to be. As schooling becomes increasingly standardized and test driven, occupying more of childhood than ever before, parents and educators are questioning the role of schooling in society. Many are now exploring and creating alternatives. In a compelling narrative that introduces historical and contemporary research on self-directed education,  Unschooled also   spotlights how a diverse group of individuals and organizations are evolving an old schooling model of education. These innovators challenge the myth that children need to be taught in order to learn. They are parents who saw firsthand how schooling can dull children’s natural curiosity and exuberance and others who decided early on to enable their children to learn without school. Educators who left public school classrooms discuss launching self-directed learning centers to allow young people’s innate learning instincts to flourish, and entrepreneurs explore their disillusionment with the teach-and-test approach of traditional schooling.

Genres: Parenting, Education, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Childrens, Family, Philosophy

288 pages, Paperback

First published May 7, 2019

Reviews

[Haley · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first half of this book was really interesting. Before I read this book I'd heard of unschooling before but didn't understand exactly what it was so I read this out of curiosity. The first half explained it well. The second half was so repetitive that it drove me crazy.

[José Antonio Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading Kerry McDonald's Unschooled reminded me my early years as a parent. Despite not being satisfied with the educational system, we accepted with resignation that we had no option for our kids. We tried to choose the "best" school, however mostly the differences were the quality of the people leading the schools and their teachers. Even a friend tried to convince us to home-school our kids but we felt it was the same (school at home) minus the "socialization". Years later we were invited by another friend to join an alternative school, an off-the-system project. It was a challenge because people around us opposed and voiced their opinions with comments like "you are going to ruin your kids lives", and so. The project was worth, not because of pure opposition to the mainstream, but being off-the-system allowed them to offer a truly student center project with mixed ages, learners community, no-grades, no-homework, etc.

All this process was scary because we had no reference beyond the myth of schooling, the same myth we grew up with and we have survived!!! Was this our tantrum against the system and our kids were going to pay the price? The problems with the traditional schooling and the benefits of these new projects are well supported by theory and scholars yet little evidence was available to confirm that it works in practice. And this is where Unschooled fills the void. Using Kerry's own words

"Schooling has become so engrained in our culture and conversation that disentangling it from learning takes time and though. Not only do we need to unschool our own thinking but also we need to help others do the same."

Unschooled is McDonald's "personal views and experiences related to unscholling and self-directed education" nonetheless it is very well documented. From John Locke to Peter Gray the breadth of references is a proof of the seriousness of her work. Along the theoretical references Unschooled offers a mosaic of real people's experiences doing what they believe is best for the kids.
Unschooling is a movement that has its roots in the progressive reforms of the 1960's, it has reborn with a core difference "one refreshing change with today's unschooling movement is that it is being driven not by philosophers but by parents"

The book covers the history of unschooling, gives a definition and contrast it with schooling, and tackles some myths like; the curriculum, freedom is not license, appropriate ages to learn math or reading, and more. Also the book has a good diagnosis of the problems of the mainstream system and how it has worsen over the years despite efforts to fix it. Kerry is straight and honest in this respect

"what we need conventional public schools to become if they are to truly move from a schooling paradigm to a learning one. They need to be built entirely from scratch."

In a later part of Unschooled, is a section with resources for unschoolers. From technology, resource centers, fab labs, maker spaces, libraries, revolutionary schools, apprenticeships, adventure playgrounds, and more. In summary this section is a window of options and an invitation to join and start a resource for our own communities.

The last chapter is an outlook of the future of unschooling, which can be summarized in Kerry's call to action:

"It all comes down to parents. It will be parents who decide whether or not we move toward an unschooled future. It will be parents who determine whether or not to reclaim their child's education."

The only subject I think Unschooled is missing is the labor markets. As long as companies keep hiring by degree (the sheepskin effect that Brian Caplan describes in his book The Case Against Education) the unschooled future is riskier, specially for lower income families who can't rely on friends, connections, or family safety nets. There is some hope in this regard after some tech giants are dropping the diploma from their hiring process, but it is far from generalized practice.

If you want to learn more about Kerry McDonald check her blog Whole family learning

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am a parent of 3 kids who is curious about unschooling and I think of myself as open-minded. This book is well-written and has lots of great historical information about education as an institution, though it reads a lot like someone preaching to the choir. The author identifies not a single positive to traditional education. Beyond that, some of the things that are described as negatives to traditional schools are identified as well-informed choices made by unschoolers (one example that comes to mind is when she describes a kindergartener being told that her parents have to drop her off rather than stay with her after the first day as being negative in a traditional school, yet parents being banned from a "formal" unschool is smart because "parents ruin everything").

My main critique (or maybe the question I am left with) is this: How are these "formal" unschools not schools? I mean, there are plenty of "schools" - some with long traditions - that do a good job of addressing the main criticisms of traditional educational institutions. Why is a camp or an unschooling program not a school just because it is using the "unschool" label?

I am still curious about unschooling for high school, but this book leaves me wondering if unschooling is just a really bad moniker for a philosophy that comes from a pretty well-meaning place.

[Colleen Scarpella · Rating 4 out of 5]

"We choose not to send our children to school for a reason, so why do we feel the need to replicate that narrow educational approach at home?" p. 40

This quote was exactly what this educator who is "homeschooling" (aka. schooling at home) her teenager needed to hear. Permission to let go and trust my kid.

"In so many ways, the unschooling approach to learning is similar to the way most museums approach learning. Information, exhibits, and lectures are offered, usually centered on the museum's focus, and museum guides are available to answer questions or lead a demonstration. Nothing is forced. If you want to explore a particular exhibit for a long period of time and ignore the other ones, you can. If you want to spend time in the contemporary art wing and ignore the impressionist painters, go for it. If you want to listen to a lecture on animal behavior or do a hands-on geology activity, it's there for you. If you don't want to, that's OK too. You can come and go as you choose. The museum won't cajole you or evaluate what you know. With unschooling, as with museum learning, resources, materials, and opportunities are made widely available for exploration and discovery - without coercion." p. 33-34

[Betül Bozkurt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okulsuzluk güzellemelerini okuduğum, ufuk açıcı bir kitap oldu🍀

[Jenn]

DNF'd at page 68: so far, I haven't encountered any new information on unschooling, her arguments are flimsy, and she manages to assert that going to school is like being "obese."

[Jen B · Rating 3 out of 5]

This felt strongly biased though it does contain a lot of good information about unschooling. I’m pretty biased against the public school system myself but I didn’t enjoy the comparisons of traditional curriculum to processed foods (what even, such a fat phobic and weird way to write about the curriculum problem). I would have preferred more detail on the various aspects of unschooling, with less propagandist focus on the negatives of traditional schooling.

[Daryl-Ann]

I’m glad I finally read this, and I’m glad I happened to read it alongside The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self. Because of that book I was able to pinpoint why unschooling made me quiver a bit.

Positives: let children be children and let childhood extend for a long time. There is no rush. Let children have a lot of free time. The industrialization of “education” is a tragedy. Run away from labels—I have a kid who I think would be labeled in a public school setting and I think that would be to her detriment. So in those ways I agree—let children be children, don’t push just for the sake of a grade level, and (to a degree) let them follow their interests.

Negatives: it isn’t inherently wrong to ask a child to learn something they don’t want to learn. Curriculum isn’t a bad thing. Unschooling is a lot of work on the parent, too much work. Rousseau.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and was pleasantly surprised to find that information regarding my alma mater, Fairhaven school, was included in one of the later chapters, as well as some quotes from my former schoolmate, Aryeh, who now serves on staff at a Sudbury school in Houston, Texas.
I found some portions of the book to be repetitive, although that may in part be due to my familiarity with the subject matter.
Later chapters include specific examples of unschooling resources that I am excited to explore as my own children’s educational journey unfolds.

[Maren Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really got me thinking and even changed my life! I have read about unschool before, but it usually felt like people ranting about how unnatural and unsuccessful public school is for so many children. And while I agree with many of those arguments, they always left me feeling like, "Okay, but now what?" This book showed me what unschool looks like and how you can put it into practice. I really appreciated that. Turns out unschool is not just ignoring your kids so they can be "free." Turns out it's not an idea invented by hippies. Turns out there are some studies supporting the unschool philosophy. Turns out I think it's actually a really good idea! I still wish there was another term for it. But as long as school is such a big influence in our lives and culture (every adult's default question for a child is, "How is school?") I think there will be a place for the term. Kind of a downer, though, to have to label something by what it isn't.

P.S. I have never seen any child--public-schooled, private-schooled, covid-schooled, homeschooled, unschooled--answer the question "How is school?" with enthusiasm. I have asked it myself many times. But let's remember, adults, that kids can be pretty interesting people. I think it's revealing that this question so often fails to bring out an interesting response. So let's think of a few new default questions!

[Carianne Feller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've definitely felt guided towards homeschooling my children for the past few years, so I've spent quite a bit of time reading books and exploring different ways of doing that. Unschooling really resonates with me and this book was very helpful in explaining more in depth WHAT unschooling is and ideas of how to go about it, etc. I think so many people hear the team "unschooling" and think it's just sitting back and doing nothing for your child's education. But in reality it's a very intentional approach at safeguarding children's natural curiosities and drive to learn whatever interests them. Unschooling is avoiding COMPULSORY schooling where you have no say in what you're "supposed" to learn, and instead focusing on interest-led, self-directed learning. It just makes sense to me - we all learn easier and retain better those things which we are personally interested and invested in. So why shouldn't that be the way children learn as well? This book has given me lots of great thoughts to continue to mull over.

[Blossom Storms · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would give the first third of this book five stars. The author does a good job explaining where we are with the modern educational system, how we got here, and the unschooling alternative to this accepted modern model (though seeming more theory than journalistic).

But at the point where I wanted her to keep expanding upon the idea, she instead took a turn into what felt like a different book. The second two-thirds of the book are full of overly repetitive examples of more institutional versions of unschooling. At that point the book seems to become more of an exposition of how unschooling centers, creative spaces, public libraries, etc, can support unschooling and speaks less to the individual interested in some of the thought processes of the unschooling movement.

[Tarin Shay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating!!!

[Keith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative read on an interesting style of learning/teaching. As a homeschooling Dad, I really like the ideas presented. Now if I can just unschool myself and try to relax my way of thinking. Worth reading if you're interested in ways children.

[Charly Troff (JustaReadingMama) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting read that I happened upon. I knew a little about unschooling before, but learned a lot from the book.

I loved the concept of child led learning and the way it was discussed. The history of education and the statistics were really interesting.

I was put off a few times by how anti-school the author is. She was extreme in a way that bothered me sometimes.

The second half of the book was a lot less interesting for me. She delved into unschooling institutions, which I was less interested in, and it felt repetitive.

Overall, I would recommend this if you are interested in interest/child led learning. I also think it's a great read for any parent or homeschooling parent, not because I agree with everything in the book, but because I think it has useful information that parents can take what works for them and their family.

[Kadi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved learning more about unschooling. The longer I homeschool, the more I see that I just need to get out of my kids' way and they learn so dang much. (3/4 so far have taught themselves to read before age 5 with just a home culture that highly values literature and zero help from me)

I REALLY resonated with the part about how all of our culture revolves around school: back-to-school shopping, homecoming, prom, sports, band, etc... nostalgia is the reason society wants to hang on to this very very broken system 🤯 BUT we could make all of these community based instead!

If you are interested in education in any capacity, please read this.

[Sarah]

This is another hard book for me to rate. I read the book to get a better understanding of what unschooling means vs. deschooling, etc. I can tell you that unschooling is not for me, but I did find nuggets of wisdom and would like to loosen my reigns a bit on the structure of our homeschooling. I would like to incorporate more child led learning and increase more unscheduled time in our home. I just can't see how all kids could benefit from unschooling, but that goes for all types of schooling. I do not believe one type fits all and you need to figure out what works best for your specific child because they all learn differently.

[Lisa Horne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting concept; thinking outside the classroom. A different way for children to learn, especially in the shift public education is taking. This type of learning puts education back into the hands of the parents.

[Shawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s a lot to think about here. But also I worry I’m being drawn into some hardline type of thinking that should only happen after further independent research. It’s tricky when what I already feel about school is being reaffirmed. But if the suicide rates statistics quoted are true (that they spike when school starts and fall off in summer), that’s reason alone to take a very serious look at the state of our schools.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must read for anyone questioning conventional schooling methods! This would also be a great read for anyone already homeschooling, who has not explored interest lead learning.

[Ann Barndt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kerry McDonald covers a vast amount of ground on the subject of unschooling. First, she distinguishes between school and education. I think we all understand that they are not always synonymous, but she explains why. What follows is what I consider the most valuable part of the book: the stories. There are stories of what unschooling looks like in individual families and interviews with unschooled graduates who are now adults. I am extremely grateful that she devotes an entire chapter on technology in education and parental concerns with screentime. There are even stories of nontraditional schools who follow the principles of unschooling.

And while it’s treated as a secular topic, as a Christian homeschooler, I find much in common with the core value of the author in that it is parents who are responsible for a child’s education. None of the people she interviewed were distinctly Christian, but she does list a website called Christianunschooling.com in the back. The list of books and websites is another great resource this book provides.

After I finished reading, I immediately started searching the internet for the different organizations she discussed in her book. I was curious and I wanted to know more! And if that is what unschooling is all about, I’d say this book delivers.

[Robert Patterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Provides a survey of the historical models of education, advocating for "radical unschooling" or self directed child led learning. As a parent, she makes very strong arguments against traditional teacher led classroom education in favor of alternative models from home schooling to her advocating for un-schooling. Provides models, resources and insight into working models from a US framework on the topic.

Makes me wish I had been so lucky as a child vs the traditional education I received.

Provides examples for how kids can even learn topics like math, science, etc thru self directed exploration. Takes concepts like Montessori education and expands them even further.

Her arguments are repetitive but convincing, I would like have some more case studies , and resources provided but its a good starting point for parents, educators, or people interested in the benefits of alternative learning. G

[Alivia Brown · Rating 1 out of 5]

Garbage. Rife with logical fallacy, fear mongering, and research that has been twisted or taken out of context to fit their own narrative. I was looking forward to learning about an alternative way of education, because I find that interesting. If you, too, are interested in a book of this sort for that purpose—this is not the one. Boooooo 👎🏽👎🏽👎🏽

[Erin O. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well-researched, thorough book for new unschoolers that focuses more on the "how" than the "why" (although that is covered as well). Many books wax poetic about the importance of kids playing in creeks, but I appreciated how this also covered a wide array of community-based and virtual resources to support parents and unschoolers of many ages. Although the author has succumbed to the erroneous but widely-held belief that childhood is under threat, and the ideal state is just a generation or so out of reach (an idea held by seemingly everyone since at least Charlotte Mason in the mid-19th century), the ideas for nurturing and supporting learning and growth are plentiful and spot-on. My copy is from the library but I plan to purchase one to reference frequently as my children grow.

[Tiersa McQueen · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an unschooling parent, I truly enjoyed this book. I have been unschooling for years now, so this book was really just preaching to the choir. As a Black mom, I appreciated the author highlighting the recent uptick in Black homeschoolers. I loved the quote by Ama Mazama saying she found the growth in African American homeschooling to be "an exercise in agency inspired by the desire to defeat racism through physical removal from one of its major spheres of operation - school." That definitely rang true for me. I also appreciated the thorough detailing of some unschooling orgs for teens like Not Back to School Camp.

I recommend this book to anyone who is new to unschooling, or someone who is looking for reminders that they are doing the right thing for their family.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good book. She provided resources for unschooling outside of the home as well which is great. I haven’t looked them all up yet but plan to.

On the down side she kept using a word that dinged a bell in the back of my head. I actually finished this a week or so ago so can’t recall the word but sure enough when I went to follow her on FB turns out she’s a Libertarian. That was disappointing. I didn’t agree with any of the articles she’d posted on her page. But on unschooling we agree and I’m glad she wrote this.

[Sasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book could change the way you view education and schooling. This book has been pivotal in our homeschooling journey, which has really just begun. Two things are needed for unschooling: 1. A caring, interested, and engaged adult (parent), and 2. A rich environment. The child will take care of the rest. I highly recommend this book for all parents of kids aged 0-18, whether you are thinking of homeschooling or not. It’s not just for homeschoolers.

[Ross Mountney · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspiring and well researched book about alternative approaches to school and conventional education and how they work so well.

[Abbey Phipps · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️ 4.5 stars ⭐️

I'm gonna be talking about this book for a LONG TIME. It was SO GOOD.

One of my favorite quotes: "How can we prepare kids for happy lives in this world brimming with possibility if they aren't permitted to see that it exists?"

What if, instead of teaching kids about life, we let them live it? What if we let them direct their own education and follow their interests? That's what we encourage college-age students to do ("major in what you're interested in!")...who's to say that it wouldn't work for a 7 year old?

I come from a public schooled background. I was fully educated in public school, and even taught in public school for several years. I think we can all see the flaws in public education. Unschooled details the history of schooling and how it has developed through the years, and it was honestly appalling. We are failing children with the public school system and its focus on testing, memorization, and even down to the strict age groups. Very little of this meets the child/teen where they are developmentally. I know there are so many good teachers out there, but the system just isn't set up for success.

But lest you think this is just a book to bash the public system, we very quickly moved on to the history of homeschooling and the thoughts behind unschooling. What is unschooling? It is child-driven, interest-led learning. There are no required subjects, no mandatory curriculums, no compulsory classes. A parent serves as a guide, helping their kids to pursue their interests and allowing them to reroute and regroup when desired. It's allowing children to learn as we do as adults - find information on what you're interested in through videos, books, mentors, etc. Learn a skill, pick up an instrument, try a project just because you want to. And through these interests, projects, and passions, kids learn logical reasoning, literacy, numeracy, problem solving, diligence, hard work, cooperation, and so much more.

The current estimation is that 85% of the jobs that our children will hold haven't been created yet. So while memorization of facts and figures was critical in the Information Age, we now live in the Imagination Age. We have all the information in the world at our fingertips; what matters now is imagination, creativity, logical reasoning, problem solving, initiative - all things learned through play and exploration.

I believe everyone, no matter how you educate your kids, should read this book. Maybe it will inspire you to unschool. Or maybe it will inspire you to create a tinkering lab in your spare room, or a junk playground in your backyard. Maybe it will inspire you to travel the world with your kids. Or maybe it will inspire you to enroll them in one less extracurricular this year so they have more time for free play on the weekends. It will look different for every family, but taking a closer look at your children's lives and seeing how you can give them more time to play and explore will serve them well for the rest of their lives.

A couple of negatives:
*There were several pages I disagreed with in the technology chapter, and in a couple of other areas throughout the book. While the author and the few researchers she cited said that children should have unlimited tech use in regards to learning, I disagree. I have witnessed the effects of screens (even when used for good) on both myself and my children, and I just cannot support that. There are legitimate studies that show the effects of focusing on 2D objects on a screen for long periods of time, which include lack of ability to focus, lowered executive function, and decreased energy. I was frustrated by the message portrayed by the author in these small sections, but overall, it was a minute point in the grand scheme of the book.

*I agree that learning should happen naturally and continuously and be child-led, and that children should have a voice and a valued opinion. I also believe that the parent is the authority in the home. Those two concepts can and should co-exist. This book got a little gray in that area at times.

MY OPINION: Reading this book as a Christian parent is interesting. The Bible specifically instructs us to teach our children about the ways of the Lord. So while unschooling promotes learning never being coercive and everything being optional, biblical studies, family prayer, and worship are non-negotiable for a faith-based family. The biblical order of the family places the father and mother as the head of the family, and no matter how you school or parent your children, I believe this is a vitally important structure to have in your home.

[Khalillaher]

Kerry McDonald’s Unschooled: Raising Curious, Well-Educated Children Outside the Conventional Classroom challenges traditional schooling methods and advocates for a child-centered, self-directed approach to learning. Drawing from her own experiences as a homeschooling parent and research into alternative education models, McDonald explores how curiosity and autonomy can transform education. She argues that children thrive when education is tailored to their unique interests, rather than constrained by rigid, one-size-fits-all systems. Here are 10 key lessons and insights from this thought-provoking book.

1. Children Are Naturally Curious and Self-Motivated
McDonald highlights that children are born with an innate curiosity and drive to learn. Traditional schooling often suppresses this natural inclination by imposing rigid structures and standardized curricula. In contrast, unschooling empowers children to pursue their passions and interests.

2. Learning Happens Everywhere, Not Just in Classrooms
A central theme of Unschooled is that education doesn’t have to take place in a formal classroom setting. McDonald emphasizes that learning is a lifelong process that occurs in everyday experiences—at home, in the community, in nature, and through play.

3. Play Is Essential for Learning
McDonald argues that play is one of the most effective ways for children to learn. Through play, children develop creativity, problem-solving skills, and social connections. Unfortunately, traditional schools often undervalue the role of play in education.

4. Standardised Education Stifles Creativity
The book critiques the standardised nature of traditional schooling, which prioritizes conformity and test performance over creativity and individuality. McDonald advocates for learning environments that celebrate diversity in how children think and learn.

5. Children Thrive When They Have Autonomy
McDonald stresses that children learn best when they have control over their education. Self-directed learning allows children to take ownership of their studies, develop intrinsic motivation, and build confidence in their abilities.

6. Parents and Communities Play a Vital Role in Education
In the unschooling model, parents and community members serve as facilitators and mentors rather than traditional teachers. McDonald emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive environment where children can access resources, ask questions, and explore.

7. Rigid Schedules Are Not Necessary for Learning
Traditional schools often impose strict schedules that leave little room for flexibility or individual needs. McDonald argues that children should have the freedom to learn at their own pace and in their own time, following their natural rhythms.

8. Unschooling Encourages a Love of Learning
Instead of associating education with stress or obligation, unschooling helps children develop a lifelong love of learning. By focusing on curiosity and joy, children learn to see education as an exciting, empowering journey.

9. The Role of Technology in Learning
McDonald acknowledges that technology can be a powerful tool in modern education. From online resources to virtual communities, technology enables children to explore their interests, connect with like-minded peers, and access information beyond traditional school settings.

10. Unschooling Prepares Children for the Real World
McDonald argues that unschooling better prepares children for adulthood by teaching them essential life skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and adaptability. Self-directed learners are more likely to thrive in dynamic, real-world environments because they’ve practiced independence and self-motivation from an early age.

Unschooled by Kerry McDonald is a compelling call to rethink traditional education and embrace a more flexible, child-centered approach to learning. McDonald advocates for trusting children’s natural curiosity, allowing them to explore their interests, and creating environments that nurture autonomy and creativity.

The central message of the book is that education should be about empowering children to take charge of their own learning, not about conforming to rigid systems. By embracing unschooling principles, parents and educators can help children become joyful, independent, and lifelong learners. McDonald’s insights challenge us to envision a world where education is driven by curiosity, creativity, and freedom, rather than tests, grades, and standardisation.