by Barbara Whitlock

Created on: July 02, 2009   Last Updated: July 04, 2009

Raymond and Dorothy Moore began the "delayed formal schooling" movement in homeschool circles. They've demystified the homeschool process by showing how compatable home life is with the learning needs of young children.

So many homeschoolers get hung-up with school-like thinking. Even opting out of preschool is now seen as a radical decision by many. The Moores have provided counterweight to these school-oriented pressures.

Domestic life: Play and chores

The Moores contend that children by nature orient their learning around play. They encourage a life filled with play. No rush to introduce school-ish lessons; just think learning skills as you do all kinds of things. Building blocks teach spacial skills, which are essential for mathematical thinking.

Chores also lend themselves to developing academic skills. For example, sorting socks is a math skill because it relies on patterning. They encourage you to get your preschoolers involved in sorting socks and silverware, as well as setting the table.

Language skills are learned through frequent contact with adults. Casual talking in a fully trusting and loving environment creates thoughtful language skills in children.

Keep children's lives rich and full, and don't rush to integrate formal academics into their days. Delay formal instruction until they show readiness and interest.

Learning in small bits and individually

No need to fill a child's day with academic learning, according to the Moores. Instead read the warning signs that you are overdoing it, when children get distracted, over-energetic or resist. Keep lesson times short, and expand with each child's readiness.

Children need to have one-to-one individualized tutoring to learn best. They felt this was especially vital for wiggly boys, but just as much for chatty girls. Learning large groups has provided evidence of failure. One-to-one instruction provides counterweight.

The Moores advanced developmental thinking for children, and they've freed parents of school or society-assigned "benchmarks" for success. Instead the Moores remind us that children work at their own readiness, and learning must be in sync with their readiness.

Learning, work and service combined

The Moores emphasize that academic learning only prepares children in part for the world. Children need to have an integrated and working home life.

In addition they emphasized external work, or - better yet - home-based businesses. They consider home-based businesses perfect means

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