Supporting a child’s learning takes time, observation, and empathy, all things that are lacking in most schools. This is largely due to institutional practices and schedules, but this obstacle is not necessary in one’s home, if one is attuned to their children’s natural growth rather than a planned curriculum.

An unschooling mom writes about that time when you learn you need to let go more than you wish: “More and more I’m aware that home is no longer enough, my interpretation of the world is no longer enough for him. He needs to move out into the wider world, meet people who aren’t me or connected to me, have his own experiences, and draw his own conclusions. …”

Just as school is not really an effective preparation for life, neither should life be considered a preparation for school.