Jan 08 2008
Deschooling
Deschooling is a very common suggestion made to new homeschool families. Basically, it is an extended break from structured learning before you begin formal homeschooling. Families who have successfully deschooled, say that the break allows children a chance to realize that they DO like to learn. It also gives families time to acclimate to full-time life together. A general rule of thumb is to allow one month of break for every year the child attended school.
Enjoy these articles about deschooling
Deschooling: The Mental Vacation You Didn’t Expect
If your child’s been in school for any length of time, an unexpected mental vacation may be in your future. Your child’s mental vacation, I mean — not yours. Often children who are coming out of a school setting that was less than successful tend to balk at anything resembling learning the moment you get them home. That’s because ’school’ and ‘learning’ = ‘YUCK’ right now. Books and materials that look like ’schoolwork’, whether they’re shelved inside a locker or plopped next to the napkin holder, don’t suddenly become more appealing just because the geography’s changed.
Read more about The Mental Vacation You Didn’t Expect
Deschooling Gently
October 9, 2006 — Tammy
Moving from full time school to homeschooling is a major transition. It can be compared to moving to a new state, getting married (or rather, getting divorced?), having a baby or giving up french fries.
There is a term that shuffles itself around, particularly during the September and October months, and that is “deschooling”. The general advice is to take time off from “school”; one month for every year a child is in school. Ideally, that means not touching one school book and just living life – whatever that is – and slowly moving back into a schedule after a given “rest” period.
Read more Deschooling Gently
DETOX
by Barbara Frederick
Someone once said that beginning to homeschool was like moving to another country. In many ways, they were right. When traveling to another country, it is important for all new citizens to take inoculations. When traveling to Homeschooolland, it is necessary for all new citizens to “detox”–to rid themselves of the deleterious effects that Publicschoolland has had on their education.
Read more Detox
We pulled our then 7 yr old son out of school over a year ago. The biggest piece of advice I’d give parents is to throw out the “one month per yr of school” guideline! It took us 8 months to start to see a difference and a yr to truly see the change and he only went to school for 2.5 years!
Give it time and don’t be afraid to take a lot of time off. They will have plenty of time to “make it up” if that’s the worry but won’t be able to make it up unless they truly enjoy learning again.