You’ve decided to deschool. You’ve stepped away from the expectations of traditional education and into something quieter, something slower.
Now the questions start rolling in—What do you do all day? How long should this last?
Conventional wisdom offers a formula: a month of deschooling for every year spent in school. But here at Chalk & Ink Press, we invite you to let that go.
There is no perfect timeline.
Let deschooling unfold at its own pace.
You’ll know it’s working when learning begins to feel natural again.
Letting Go of the Map
Deschooling is a pause. A breath. A space between what was and what could be.
It’s not a break from learning—it’s a break from how we’ve been told learning is supposed to look.
This time is meant for noticing. For resting. For rebuilding curiosity and connection.
There’s no script. No right or wrong way to spend these days. You are walking a new path now—one that’s shaped by your child’s interests, your family’s rhythm, and the quiet clues that joy leaves behind.
Pay attention to what excites your child. Follow the questions that come up at dinner, on a walk, in the middle of nowhere. Those are your guideposts.
What Does a Deschooling Day Look Like?
There’s no schedule to stick to, no clock to race. A deschooling day might be packed with discovery, or it might be spent doing very little—and both are just right.
Here’s a gentle list of possibilities, not prescriptions:
Reading and Storytelling
Read together without a goal in mind. Picture books, novels, cookbooks, graphic novels—whatever brings joy. Let audiobooks fill the car or the kitchen while you fold laundry or bake muffins.
Language and Music
Explore a new language with an app like Duolingo, or have a dance party in the living room. Sing old songs. Make up new ones. Let music move through your home freely.
Games and Curiosity
Board games, card games, puzzles. Watch documentaries, try out a science experiment, or get lost in a question that leads you down a rabbit hole of discovery.
Creative Work and Life Skills
Draw, paint, sculpt, build. Cook a family meal, learn how to sew a button, tidy a room together. These everyday tasks are filled with real-world learning.
Time in Nature
Walk barefoot in the grass. Climb trees. Count stars. Whether it’s your backyard or a distant trail, the outdoors offers endless space for wonder and connection.
Exploring the World
Take a spontaneous road trip or visit a park you’ve never been to. Go to a local museum, the farmers market, or an afternoon concert. Learning happens in the world, not just in a workbook.
Community and Belonging
Join a group, volunteer together, attend a community event. When kids feel rooted in their communities, they feel safe to grow.
Gardening and Green Spaces
Plant a seed. Watch it grow. Learn about the seasons and the patience that tending a garden requires.
Animal Care
Whether it’s caring for a pet or spending time at a farm, animals teach responsibility, empathy, and so much more without saying a word.
Doing Nothing
Yes, this matters. Let boredom settle in. Let quiet stretch. That’s where creativity hides—waiting to be invited out.
A Note for Parents
This isn’t just your child’s process—it’s yours, too.
Deschooling offers parents the chance to step back and really see their child, outside the lens of achievement, grades, or checklists.
Observe. Reflect. Let go of the need to recreate school at home. Instead, discover how your child naturally engages with the world. That insight will guide everything that comes next.
There Is No Rush
Deschooling isn’t a detour—it’s the beginning.
Let your days be filled with wonder and stillness. Let your child rest, explore, and come back to themselves. Trust that this quiet season is doing important work, even when it looks like nothing much is happening.
At Chalk & Ink Press, we believe in this unhurried beginning. It’s not about doing more—it’s about doing less, with more intention.
Let learning come alive in its own time. You’re right where you need to be.
