Family thrives with ‘unschooling’
Parents advocate for untraditional teaching method
WHILE most children are sitting behind a desk studying maths, science and English, the Clark children can take the day in whichever direction they choose.
Rachael and George Clark are “unschooling” their four children and are advocates for the untraditional method of teaching.
“Unschooling” is a step beyond home education because children decide what they’d like to learn and when.
There is no set curriculum or testing. The children set the agenda and pace with the aim to learn through living.
The Toowoomba couple began “unschooling” their children when their eldest daughter Jemima, who has been diagnosed with ASD, ADD and ODD, struggled with school and sometimes refused to go.
They tried every parenting strategy they could think of, but nothing worked.
The final straw was when health professionals told them unless they medicated her, they couldn’t help her.
The parents pulled Jemima out of school seven years ago and for two years tried traditional home schooling and discovered it still did not work.
They first came across the idea of “unschooling” when they signed up to the Wirraglen Support Group for Homeschoolers in Highfields.
After learning more about the alternative style of education Mrs Clark knew
she had to change her mindset to educate her child.
So five years ago she began “unschooling” all four of her children and the results were astounding.
Jemima, 15, is now thriving in the IT and robotics department, something she is passionate about.
She has just finished her certificate III in information, media and digital technology at TAFE
Queensland South West and plans on completing her diploma in assisted administration.
Mrs Clark said she was shocked at how far Jemima had come.
“From where we were to where we are now, I am amazed,” she said.
“When we pulled her out of school we tried to emulate school because tertiary education is all I knew but she was still struggling.
“But allowing her to run with her interests has made a world of difference.
“Letting her focus on robotics means she has flown in that field.
“When children run with their strengths they learn so much more.
“What I have come to understand is that they learn best when they are learning what they enjoy, when they feel safe and when they are fully engaged.”
Jemima said it was about following her passions.
“If I had stayed in school I would be depressed, have
❝Allowing
her to run with her interests has made a world of difference.
— Rachael Clark
anxiety and a slew of problems,” she said.
“Unschooling has helped me excel so much.
“It was quite interesting going into the TAFE environment after being out of that set education environment but I really enjoyed it.
“The classroom was really friendly and open so I didn’t have trouble learning because we could work together.”
Mrs Clark said she was an advocate for “unschooling.”
“I am very positive about it. There are so many options out there and I want people to know there is more than one educational option out there,” she said.
“If your kids aren’t thriving in school remove them, if they aren’t thriving in traditional home school, try unschooling.”