how long should "deschooling" go on for?!

[nomoreamover]

We recently joined the HE club and so far in 3 weeks we have done a couple pages of some workbooks (maths and literacy) and half a papier mache pig.

All DS wants to do is play playstation....I am unsure how far to allow him to dictate what he does in the day.....I want him to be independent and in control of his learning but at the same time don't expect to be taken for a ride either!

He is 6.

Any ideas gratefully received!

[seeker]

I don't think you should let him have any more playstation time than you did when he was at school, to be honest. There's tons of other non-school-type stuff to do!

[AMumInScotland]

It's reasonable to give him a break from "school work" to get past the stress of school (I'm assuming he was at school and had problems), but you are still mum and I'd apply whatever rules you do at weekends and holidays, or before he started school if that's recent. So, unless you always allowed PS all day every day, then no reason for him to get it now!

You might want to get some set activities into the week - trip to the library, to the park, helping you cook etc even if you don't want to push him into doing worksheets etc.

[onwardandupward]

I've heard it said that the deschooling process takes at least a month for every year spent by the child in school. But that's a guesstimate, of course. I think it's really a way of encouraging parents to back off and take time to relax with their child rather than imposing schooliness on them at home as soon as they deregister in that panic of wanting to get it all right!

[nomoreamover]

DS spent most of the past term outside the head's office for asking too many questions being disruptive - so I would say he has so much pent up energy he should want to use it doing something else! But I am aware he has had the stuffing knocked out of him by well meaning dictatarians and i desperately want to help him rebuild his self confidence.....

FWIW he is so animated when he tells me what hes managed to acheive on the PS and he did an hilarious role play of how an ewok walks this morning.....does that count as drama??!!!

[nomoreamover]

it frustrates me so much butterfly - he is an inquisitive and enthusiastic child. He deserves to have his questions answered!

BTW everyone - we had a good chat last night after supper where i explained that he has had a nice rest from school and did he think it was time to start "knuckling down" and gettign back to learning? He suggested we have playtime like he has at school - which I thought was great thinking on his part - that way he can choose what to do in his "independant playtime" - and if thats the PS then fine.

I'm much happier about it all today and it seems he has reached his own natural conclusion about when his de schooling should end - should've trusted the child eh?!!

[nomoreamover]

SNAP!!!

I've bought EYFS stickers from the NCMA that relate to objectives and am happily sticking them in his diary when tasks we acheive "tick the boxes". not how I was hoping to do HE - wanted to be more informal but with all this talk of reviews and orders from on high - I'm going with formal record taking for the time being in case I have to stand up and justify myself to academics.....

Oh and yes he's terribly astute - another reason why school rubs him up the wrong way - he can sense when the teacher is annoyed or has had a bad night (or is hungover etc) and it upsets him because he knows she is angry or stroppy but he can't work out why shes taking it out on him - so he'll ask her out straight!!! "I haven't broken any rules today, you are angry about something else so why are you shouting at me go shout at the other thing thats annoyed you" kind of thing....

Doesn't go down well.

[siblingrivalry]

Hi,
We are 2 weeks into deschooling. We didn't send dd1 back to school after Christmas.
She is finding a balance herself -playing games on the laptop, writing stories on 'word', drawing etc. She is also watching dvds and playing games with her sister.
We have done the odd bit of 'formal' work. but not much at all. I am trying to find the best way to proceed, as dd is still pretty traumatised by her last few months at school.

I am also trying to keep some continuity, though - she isn't allowed on the laptop for long stretches and I force encourage her to get fresh air daily.

IMHO, it's okay to 'wing it' while we are settling into HE

[nomoreamover]

in mine too sibling - but I am gettign really worried about big brother deciding otherwise and forcing little man back to an environment so damaging for him

[julienoshoes]

"but I am gettign really worried about big brother deciding otherwise and forcing little man back to an environment so damaging for him"

I wouldn't worry about that too much.

The Governement has said it doesn't intend to change the right for parents to home educate.
And as for the rest-they will have a hell of a fight on their hands!

Home Eduation and the home educating community saved my family when we were falling.
Personally I'd sell my soul to keep my children and grangchildren free to make the educational choices we have had.

[Kayteee]

We are still "de-schooling" nearly 4 years down the line!!

[Runnerbean]

No it's me that's de-schooling!