Christian Unschooling: Growing Your Child in the Freedom of Christ

by Teri J. Brown, Teri Brown

For too many years, the segment of homeschoolers that consider themselves "Christians" and "unschoolers" have been ignored. Many thought one couldn't be both a Christian and an unschooler. But Teri Brown with Elissa Wahl expose that not only to Christian Unschoolers exist, they are growing in numbers. Through Christian growing your children in the freedom of Christ, the authors support Christian unschoolers everywhere--letting them know they are not alone. For those Christian parents who are facing school-at-home burnout form a strict schedule, they offer another path to learning. Unschooling, child-led learning, free learning, interest based education, child-delighted learning--whatever you choose to call it, this book explains what unschooling is (and isn't) in easy-to-understand terms while holding your hand as you walk the unschooling pathway. Many essays of unschoolers are included--offering their viewpoints, "typical days", opinions on lessons and learning, how they are guided by the Lord and much more. Additionally, comprehensive information on starting an unschooling support group is included along with plenty of ideas to inspire you in the subjects of language arts, history, math, science and more.

Genres: Education, Christian, Parenting

146 pages, Paperback

First published March 20, 2001

Reviews

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was intrigued by the title, but ultimately disappointed by the book. It is obviously written from a somewhat defensive point of view, aimed at chalkboard-in-the-kitchen conservative evangelical homeschoolers. The elementary errors of spelling and grammar were not reassuring, nor was the author's informing us that while she was afraid of math and science, her 6th grader was able to count out an entire roll of coins! I do think unschooling can work for some families but probably not nearly so many as attempt it, and this book unfortunately reinforced that opinion for me.

[Havebooks Willread · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book as I recently finished the most challenging homeschooling year I've experienced (year number 15!) and I needed some renewing of my mind and attitude. Even though we finished this school year a few weeks ago, I kept noticing my children continuing to pursue learning with their free time and that made me want to look into the idea of "unschooling" a little bit. Misti recommended this little book which outlines some of the elements of unschooling and includes several essays written by unschoolers, and I ordered it right away.

I've always been a bit eclectic in my methodology, with a hefty dose of delight-directed learning sprinkled throughout, but I became more academic-focused in these last few years graduating my first two. Juggling high school down to babies was difficult and I sacrificed the delight-directed spirit in the quest to get my minimum goals accomplished. Reading this book is encouraging me to move out of the way a little more next year to make room for the children to explore their interests.

A few quotes I especially liked:
"To me, unschooling means raising your children in the freedom of Christ. To allow the Lord to show us the gifts he has given them and the freedom to develop those gifts to the fullest" (5).

"The key to our days is dialogue. . .I just can't stress how important talking is to my son's education. Use time in the car and quiet time before bed to drive in key points and reinforce beliefs" (26).

"My mission is not to raise geniuses, but to raise children who love to read" (27).

"What about education is important to you? What is important for your children to learn? Where is God leading your children?" (53).

"I want my children to feast their hearts, souls and minds on fine literature, awe-inspiring art, majestic music and great thoughts. I want them to learn how to think--not just learn to pass a test. I want them to be prepared spiritually, intellectually, morally and academically to pursue wholeheartedly whatever passion God laid on their hearts for the future, whether in the field of medicine, art, missions, or homemaking" (56).

"School limits their freedom. For that is what they have the most of right now--free time. Free time for David to build countless Lego creations, dig in the dirt and swing in the backyard. Time for Faith to read, play the piano, or follow me around the kitchen while I work" (81).

"I see much stronger evidence of the fruits of the Spirit in me and in my family--more love, more gentleness with one another, more peace and kindness" (83).

"True education involves cooperating with God in preparing them 'for the works He prepared for them to walk in,' allowing time for the stuff God breathed in them to come to life while facilitating their thinking process and building character" (89).

Is your educational method "producing the fruit of burn-out, frustrated people who have a pile of knowledge poured into their heads, but little if any character and values? God's ways produce the fruit of peace, delight, and freedom" (91).

"Try spending some concentrated time every week focusing on what God wants your children to learn. What gifts is He trying to show you? What character traits does the Lord want honed in your child?" (98).

[Kate Hyde · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a Christian, and I plan to unschool my daughter (who is now 3). I didn't know there was a community out there of Christians who unschool, so I'm very happy to know that there is. I had never thought of it before, but it makes sense that children in Biblical times were unschooled. I was especially encouraged to hear Isaiah 54:13 -

"All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children."

This obviously doesn't mean that God will be the teacher in a classroom, but that God has provided enough learning experiences in REAL LIFE that a classroom and curriculum are not necessary.

[Sheila · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this years ago, at a time when I was trying to convince myself that unschooling and Christianity were compatible. While I don't think this book promotes unschooling in its purest, most radical form, its saving grace is that it will introduce Christians to kinder, gentler, more relaxed ways of being with their children than they will hear from the Dobson crowd.

[Jacquie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book! I can feel the courage building within me to loosen my tight hold on our curriculums to facilitate more natural learning opportunities to happen. We are not "unschoolers" but this book is helping me to understand how we can learn in different ways to build a natural love of learning. The essay testimonies are convicting, yet inspirational to read. I recommend it teacher-mamas. It's a quick read too.

[Brianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book for me to read. While I am not adopting a total unschool approach to our homeschooling method, this book helped me realize a lot of important things. It helped me realize that it's okay to relax! It opened my eyes to the fact that a lot of learning takes place naturally. It helped me see that my children will always have things they're interested in, and that if I allow them to pursue those interests, their learning of a great amount of subjects encompassed in those ones will allow them to enjoy the learning of all those subjects.
I tried to put this into practice by asking my six year old son what he wanted to learn about. The first of his interests we've been pursuing is paper airplanes. We found a great website to print templates of various models from. I never imagined the math and science that were intertwined with this seemingly simple interest! His vocabulary has already been added to (wing dihedral, delta, elevator, push, lift, thrust, aerodynamics, aviation...), fractions have become visible through folding the paper, and his creativity has been heightened - he has been folding tons of paper planes on his own now, trying different new designs that he thinks of himself!
It also took us on a journey to the website of the U.S.S. Intrepid (which is in Manhattan and which we plan to visit one day!). On the website, there are games for children, including learning about aviation, airplanes, rivers, rockets, submarines, life on the ship, and more! So this one interest has opened the door to MANY more.
Other interests of his that we mean to pursue soon are how to read a compass, how to make a kite, and learning more about the Appalachian Trail. New interests are added constantly!
So, this year we have a curriculum we are following, and to me it is important especially for phonics because it helps keep me on track and know I'm doing the right thing... But I know I have the freedom to pursue different topics than what might be recommended in the book for learning science, math, art & music for example. Follow our own interests, and see where they lead us...
Best of all, I love the freedom we have in Christ to live our lives this way, which is the foundation of our homeschooling and this book.

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book helped me gain a little more knowledge of unschooling, at least as it is implemented by some Bible believers. The book makes me think of Homeschooling: A Patchwork of Days by Nancy Lande, which I read as I was starting out learning about homeschooling years ago. Lande's book gives essays and perpectives from multiple families using many different methods about their varied homeschool days -- Brown's book provides essays from various families within the "Christian unschooling" subset of homeschooling. Both books are good to get different viewpoints and ideas, and to be reminded that each family is different and applies things in a slightly different way to fit the needs of the individuals within it.

I had been hoping for more coverage of the arguments for and against unschooling from a biblical perspective. Only some things are addressed in the early part of the book, and pretty briefly, as though it was more of an afterthought to add some introductory material before getting to the essays. There are some other arguments addressed by various writers throughout, which are interesting and helpful, but I was hoping for something a little better organized and presented in a more thorough and conclusive manner. Though not quite to the extent I'd hoped, the book was still helpful and I'm glad I read it.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I admit to being an "educated" college graduate who hasn't discovered my passion and is only beginning to learn how to learn. I definitely learned how to "do School," but I am finally immersing myself in learning and following my heart. Since I need my time now to do this, I need my kids in the best school environment for the free babysitting, but I may pull them out so we can explore this amazing God-given world eventually!

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book, though I don't think unschooling, in its purest form, is the path we will choose. I do want to include some of the concepts, like making learning revolve around things that interest my kids, and develop their passion for life. Very good book to read even if you have no intention of unschooling.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is at least my third time reading this & I was surprised at how underwhelmed I was, after absolutely loving it the previous times I'd read it... I'm not sure if I'm just more knowledgeable about homeschooling in general now or if I just didn't really need to read it one more time!

This was a much-loved book for me at one point, anyway!

[Staci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I don't think unschooling is for me, I really enjoyed this book! It was thought provoking and opened my eyes to what unschooling really looks like and that it can be a positive way to grow your children!

[Leiloni Schulz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book sheds the light on unschooling as there is a lot more to it than people think. There are also many ways to do it and there is no wrong or right way. One of the authors in a short essay in the book describes it as "Child led learning."

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great set of essays outlining the many different ways 'unschooling' can manifest itself. Very God centered and encouraging.

[Ariana]

Although unschooling is thought of as practically anarchy among many conservative Christians, this is a very good argument for giving children freedom to both learn and to know Christ.

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I get more and more convinced this is what our family needs, and this book was no exception. Good, easy to read, lots of anecdotes and sound theology.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Inspiring!

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

LOVED the essays by parents! good topics even if semi flawed writing. recommend for Jesus peeps