Frequently Asked Questions
🤷🏻♀️ "How will unschooled kids learn the basics?"
They will learn the basics by using them in real life—not through forced memorization or endless worksheets. Kids naturally pick up reading, writing, and math when they see them as useful and interesting. If you stay curious and engaged with them, the basics show up organically.
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Read: If we Unschool, How will they learn subjects?
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Watch: How Do Unschooled Kids Learn What They Need? (from Getting Started
Video Series)
📖 "Can they really learn to read without a curriculum?"
Yes, many unschooled kids learn to read in their own time—sometimes later than schooled kids, but without the stress or resistance. There are more ways to learn than phonics programs. Exposure, interest, and support go a long way.
🆓 Podcast/Blogpost: Unschooling and Learning to Read
✏️ "How will they learn to write if I don't teach them?"
Writing develops when kids have something they want to say. Instead of worksheets, look for real reasons to write—texting a friend, making signs, writing stories. When kids write because they want to, not because they have to, their skills deepen naturally.
🎙️ Podcast: Unschooling and Writing
➕ "What about math? Aren't they going to fall behind?"
Math is everywhere. Cooking, gaming, budgeting, building, shopping, measuring—unschooling families use math in daily life. Without pressure, math can actually be fun and meaningful.
✅ Why Get the Unschooling Math Course?
🆓 Read/Listen: How to Unschool Math without Curriculum
❓ "How will I know they're learning enough?"
You may need to rethink what "learning enough" really means. When kids are curious, supported, and exploring the world, learning is happening—even if it doesn't look like school. Check out the Seasonal Guides to see the subjects that weave through various activities they're already doing!
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Read/Listen:
5 Ways to Know If Unschoolers are Learning
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Guide: What Should They Learn?
👬 "How do I explain this to my partner or extended family?"
You don’t have to convince everyone—just create a life that works for your family.
Grab the free PDF (Understanding Unschooling: A Family Member's Toolkit) if you need help explaining unschooling to friends and family.
🆓 Podcast/Blogpost: Overcoming Tricky Situations with Relatives
🏫 "Is this even legal?"
Yes! Unschooling is legal in all 50 states, though how (or if) you report it varies by location. You don’t need to hide your approach—just document it in a way that works within your state’s requirements.
🎓 "Can they go to college or get a job later?"
Absolutely. Unschoolers have gone on to college, trade schools, entrepreneurship, and traditional careers. Transcripts and diplomas are possible—and real-world experiences often stand out on applications.
🆓 Podcast/Blogpost: Can Unschoolers Get Into College?
📘 Book: Homeschooled Teens: 75 Young People Speak about Life Without School
⏳ "What if they don't want to do anything?"
Kids need time to decompress and deschool. What looks like "doing nothing" is often recovery from pressure and burnout. Learning about deschooling helps. The Strewing Calendar gives parents information (resource links) and empowers kids to dip their toes in fun interesting things each month.
🆓 Podcast/Blogpost: Kids Lacking Motivation
🎥 Watch Videos:
Deschooling Playlist
😬 "What if I get overwhelmed or stuck?"
You're not alone. Everyone needs support sometimes—especially when choosing a different path. And sometimes it's hard to find relaxed homeschoolers or unschoolers in your local community. Our online private community offers support, group coaching from Sue, and tons of resources to help you find your way.
3) What do I do if I don’t duplicate school at home?
Curriculum can be a crutch! Focus on the learning instead of all the trappings that come with teaching aspect - and you’ll be surprised how much the kids learn!.Check out ideas here: Ready to Get Started? New Unschoolers Begin Here.
4) What if the kids don’t want to learn about things other kids learn at their age?
One size does NOT fit all! Your child’s world offers so many opportunities to learn. It’s time to see THIS as exactly the education a person needs. Instead of worrying about what to "count" as educational, I'm here to tell you: Everything Counts
5) If I like unschooling, why do I keep having so many fears about it?
You’ve had years of being forced to conform and conditioned to believe there’s only one right answer. It’s not true - but it’s familiar. And it takes a while to undo that thinking. It helps to start with thinking about why you’re looking for an alternative to the traditional approach to learning, this will help: What’s Your WHY?
6) Where are the resources for Parents of Teens?
Glad you asked! I have a lot: Blogposts, Podcasts, Group Support, Teen Toolkit!
Right here!
Ready to dive deeper?
Whether you're just beginning or ready to stop second-guessing yourself...
Here’s where to go next: