November 11, 2025

Deschooling

What is Deschooling?

Deschooling is the process of adjusting to a learning environment outside of traditional schooling. It involves both children and parents transitioning from the structured and conventional methods of traditional education to the more flexible and personalized approach of homeschooling. This period allows for the unlearning of school-based habits and the development of new ways to learn and engage with knowledge.

For many students, attending school daily is a routine. They know their designated classroom, their specific desk, and the teacher's expectations upon arrival. When families transition to homeschooling, they may attempt to replicate this traditional school structure. While some families succeed with a school-at-home approach, many find it difficult. This is where deschooling becomes essential.

Deschooling eliminates time constraints, proving that learning extends beyond classroom walls. It encourages students and parents to move away from the conventional school mindset, allowing them to tap into the broader opportunities offered by homeschooling.

It's important to verify with your state the specific time frame you have to begin homeschooling. Each state has different regulations and requirements for starting the homeschooling process.

Deschooling Activities for Younger Children

• Allow your children to wake up naturally and decide if they want to get dressed for the day or have a pajama day—or even a costume day!
• Take a leisurely walk around the neighborhood, noting any specific interests your children may have, like insects, clouds, or construction, to explore further with library books.
• Engage in indoor activities such as coloring, playing games, or watching educational content on TV or YouTube.
• Spend time reading aloud together or allowing younger children to take a nap if needed.
• Plan a trip to places like the library, children's museum, science center, or playground.
• Involve your children in cooking dinner together, fostering both life skills and family bonding.

Deschooling Ideas for Middle School / High School Students

• Let your teens sleep in according to their natural rhythm and encourage them to help make breakfast.
• Organize a field trip to places like museums, science centers, zoos, or volunteer opportunities.
• Support their special interests by working on projects like science experiments, driver's education, or building projects.
• Incorporate physical education activities into their day to keep them active and healthy.
• Have discussions about homeschool curriculum, schedules, and preferences, encouraging their input.
• Research local classes, elective options, and dual enrollment opportunities at community colleges.
• Explore virtual field trips and online resources, such as games and books to supplement learning experiences.
• Plan outings for entertainment and adventure, such as visiting the library, movie theater, mini-golf course, or trying activities like laser tag or geocaching.

This adjustment period will allow you and your child to bond. You will begin to discover your child's interests, likes and dislikes, which will help you begin to plan your homeschooling. Read our blog on Homeschooling 101 to help you get started planning.

Determining the duration of deschooling involves patience and trust in the process. The timeframe varies among families — some complete deschooling in a few months, while others spend their entire first homeschool year deschooling. Comparing experiences isn't fruitful; deschooling takes the time it needs, whether weeks or a full year.

Signs of Homeschool Readiness

Transitioning from deschooling to regular homeschooling becomes apparent when certain signs of homeschool readiness emerge:

• Children recognize learning can occur anywhere and anytime.
• Parents grasp their children's unique learning styles.
• Natural curiosity sparks further exploration in children.
• Parents and children connect over educational tasks, easing any initial awkwardness.
• The value of supplemental activities like learning games, books, and field trips become evident.
• Parents understand homeschooling laws and have chosen a homeschool method and curriculum aligned with those laws.

If these signs resonate with your experience, congratulations on your homeschooling journey!

Quotes from Homeschoolers

"It has taken me years to deschool! I think a big challenge for me was that I love traditional school. I wanted to have control over how school was facilitated to my children, so I was looking for a happy median between traditional school and what I wanted for them educationally... Now my kids have much more independent learning and I can oversee them in a way that works for me."

— RaeVen C.

"Since all we knew was the experience of public school, we were automatically in that mindset — this meant planning out our entire day... I felt like a failure because my attempt at creating public school at home wasn't working. I didn't realize that the way for us to have a successful homeschooling experience was for us to break that mindset. I highly recommend taking some time to deschool. Even if you don't, the most important advice I can give you is do NOT try to create public school at home!"

— Bec • Co-Founder of Homeschool Connective