Slow Schooling Chapter Three

A Short Diversion into What Slow Schooling is NOT

The idea of “slow schooling” is not new, but it sometimes gets confused with other ideas such as “unschooling”. Unschooling is defined as “allowing children as much freedom to learn in the world, as their parents can comfortably bear.” (1) John Holt and his followers are careful to explain that this is not “un-parenting”, but say that their children (and by definition, students) learn only what and when it makes sense for them to do so. This is different from what I term “slow schooling”, especially from a Christian perspective.

The scriptures are clear that parents are responsible for their child’s upbringing, and that includes not only their care and protection, but their education as well. I realize that Deuteronomy 6:5-9 has been the clarion call to bring (or beat) Christian parents into submission regarding teaching their children at home, but it’s hard to grasp that one verse and run with it like you’ve got the football and a set of fire jets on your sneakers. Yes, we--and father…