Deschooling is an intentional transition period between leaving traditional school and beginning homeschool, allowing both children and parents to recover from institutional schooling and rediscover a natural love of learning.
What is Deschooling?
Deschooling is the adjustment period families go through when transitioning from traditional school to homeschooling. The term was popularized by Austrian philosopher Ivan Illich in his 1970s book Deschooling Society, and later embraced by educator John Holt. During this time, children gradually shed the institutional mindset—waiting for teachers to direct learning, focusing on grades over genuine understanding, and associating education with bells and assignments. It's essentially a reset button that helps families approach learning with fresh eyes and renewed curiosity.
Key Takeaways
- Deschooling is a temporary transition, not a long-term educational method (that would be unschooling)
- The common guideline is one month of deschooling for every year spent in traditional school
- Both parents and children need to deschool—parents carry their own preconceptions about what education should look like
- Activities during deschooling focus on exploration, family connection, and rediscovering interests rather than formal lessons
Why Deschooling Matters
Traditional schooling can create what Illich called a "hidden curriculum"—the unconscious belief that real learning only happens in classrooms with grades and accreditation. Children may have lost their natural curiosity after years of learning for tests rather than understanding. Deschooling gives them space to heal from any negative experiences and remember that learning can be joyful. I've seen kids who hated reading in school become voracious readers within months of deschooling, simply because nobody was forcing book reports on them anymore.
How Long Does Deschooling Take?
The most commonly cited guideline is one month for every year your child spent in traditional school. A third-grader might need three months; a middle schooler might need six to eight months. But this isn't a rigid formula. Some families find their children bounce back quickly, while others—particularly those leaving difficult school situations—need a full year. You'll know deschooling is working when your child starts asking questions out of genuine curiosity, picks up books without being asked, or pursues projects independently. There's no deadline; it's done when your family feels ready.
What to Do During Deschooling
Resist the urge to jump into curriculum planning. Instead, focus on reconnecting as a family and observing what naturally interests your child. Take nature walks, visit museums, read for pleasure, play board games, and cook together. Let your child be bored—boredom often sparks creativity. Watch for what makes their eyes light up. These observations will guide your eventual homeschool approach far better than any standardized placement test could.
Deschooling vs. Unschooling
These terms are often confused but describe different things. Deschooling is a temporary transition period with an endpoint—it's the bridge between traditional school and your chosen homeschool method. Unschooling is a permanent educational philosophy where children direct their own learning indefinitely. Some families discover during deschooling that unschooling resonates with them and adopt it long-term. Others use deschooling as a reset before implementing a structured curriculum. Both are valid paths.
The Bottom Line
Deschooling isn't wasted time—it's an investment in your homeschool's long-term success. By giving your family space to decompress from institutional schooling, you create the conditions for genuine learning to flourish. Whether your child spent one year or ten in traditional school, this transition period helps everyone approach education with fresh perspective and renewed enthusiasm. Trust the process, even when it feels like nothing is happening.
