HOMESCHOOLING DESCHOOLING

Deschooling Isn’t Doing Nothing

It is healing, learning, and acclimating to a new community.

When a person joins a homeschooling group and asks for advice to get started, there will be at least one response, usually, a few or even many, mentioning deschooling. But what is deschooling? Is there a book about it? What does deschooling even mean?

Here is a working definition for deschooling: a mindset shift away from the teacher-led classroom model of education for children toward a child-centred model of learning. This is for adults.

Another working definition for deschooling: is an undefined period of time for children who have attended school, especially if it didn’t go well for them, to destress, rediscover interests, tap into their innate curiosity, heal, and reconnect with family members.

How long does deschooling take?

For parents who went through the school system, it can take a lifetime. There are so many buried assumptions and so much indoctrination to dig up, inspect in a new light, and question that there is no defined endpoint. It takes as long as it takes.

Expecting there to be a set endpoint is a school mindset. Expecting there to be a specific task list that can be ticked off is a school mindset.

Learning happens all the time and everywhere. Learning doesn’t end when school (secondary, university, apprenticeship, et al.) ends.

For formerly schooled children, it takes as long as it takes.

How do we deschool? Is there a checklist?

No, there is no checklist.

Remember when your child was infant and toddler ages? The days were structured around meal times, naps, and play, right? Relationships were formed. Healthy boundaries were established.

Your role was to support, encourage, and facilitate your young child’s growth, development, and learning.

That right there is the basis of homeschooling and during the period of deschooling, your work is to get back to that natural flow with your child.

You do this by letting go of expectations of LEARNING to happen. Learning is happening and it is the most important kind of learning. It is learning to listen to the body and respond appropriately to its needs for energy and rest, quiet and stimulation. It is learning healthy boundaries in relationships. It is learning the communication skills of problem-solving through negotiation, compromise, and consensus-reaching.

During this time, build daily and weekly routines that include personal care, cleaning the house, doing the washing, planning and preparing meals, time spent outdoors playing, walking, bicycling, exploring, visiting the library regularly, reading aloud, and so much more based on your family values and priorities.

Most importantly, have fun. Play games indoors and out. Enjoy your children and allow them to enjoy you.

In short, Deschooling is:

It is healing the parent-child relationship.

It is the beginning of a new lifestyle and new routines.

It is rediscovering curiosities and interests.

It is learning how learning happens naturally and without adult direction.

It is a shift of mindset away from the classroom model of adult-led instruction toward a child-centred model of self-led learning.

It is the beginning of providing opportunities for your child to learn.

It is books and blogs, videos and films, podcasts and chats with veteran homeschoolers.

It is healthy boundaries.

Welcome to the journey.

Dear Reader, What other questions or suggestions do you have about deschooling? Share them in the comments. Ann

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