‘Unschooling’

I am writing in response to “Turning Learning on Its Head” (May 2). Edward Ziegler refers to unschooled children as having a “hothouse quality,” and I have to wonder if Ziegler is referring to the uniqueness of these differently schooled individuals? These children are allowed to be their unique selves beyond the age of 5. In a culture where individuals are the exception and not the rule, I can see that this could shake the status quo of conformity.

If anything, it is institutional learning that most resembles the goals of a hothouse. Where children are shut away from life-sustaining realities. Where children view learning as torture and life as something just beyond their reach. Unschoolers/home schoolers are revitalizing the communities in which they live, participating in volunteer activities, helping their neighbors and learning about life as they live it.

BARBARA ALWARD