In this section, you will meet homeschooling's grandparents, two of the founders of this world-changing movement, Dr. Raymond and Dorothy Moore. With over 66 books on education and related subjects to their credit, thousands of articles, hundreds of appearances and interviews on major television and radio programs, decades of research-based experience, the Moores represent the very best in expert advice. Their books, tapes and videos are a must for any homeschooling family - new or veteran. We are honored to bring their "voices of experience" to you with their permission. The following was reprinted from "The Moore Report International", Jan/Feb 1996.

Obviously, homeschooling does not mean the same to everyone who claims to be doing it. We talk to parents every day whose concept of homeschooling have been very different from ours. Fortunately, the ones we talk to are looking for something better and, in fact, are usually so burned out that they're looking for anything that will relieve them from the six to ten house a day with workbooks and textbooks which they have been trying to finish page by page since they started. We wish we could have had a chance to help them before they got so bogged down, but often they would not really have listened anyway. We find that the average person's idea of education is very narrow. So we have put together a little summary of what we believe real homeschooling is all about.

Real homeschooling means understanding that education is the harmonious development of the mental, physical and spiritual powers of the individual. The practical and extended use of the Moore Formula of study, work and service can be he means of achieving that balance. This is study which builds a curriculum around a child's interests and readiness to learn, work starting with simple chores as soon as a child can walk and service in helping others in acts of kindness and concern.

Real homeschooling means being broadminded enough to know that all knowledge does not come from books. Taking your children's interests and aptitudes into consideration and allowing them to be creative, express their ideas, solve problems, explore and discover many things for themselves will bring a wealth of learning to them which most of us formally-educated adults never had. You as the teacher-manager simply need to monitor and guide to keep things under control and in balance.

Real homeschooling means having a strong enough philosophy (reasons for homeschooling) that you are not swayed nor dismayed by the disapproval of relatives and friends. Just be glad that you do not have relatives who threaten to or actually do take you to court. This has happened in a few cases in the past. But social pressure is hard to handle unless you have settled it in your mind that you are doing the best for your children and their good is the most important consideration for you.

Real homeschooling means being brave enough to resist anything that interferes with your commitment to your family. It is easy to become overly involved with church work, support group duties, extended family obligations or a home business and neglect your own family.

Real homeschooling means protecting young children from negative influences-yours or others. Probably the most pervasive damaging activity in the average home today is the overuse of television and related video and computer games. Even if the activity itself is relatively harmless, it replaces more constructive physical or mental activities, such as outdoor play, reading for pleasure or learning games. And we have observed that in most families which have those things available, the tendency is for most "free" time to be taken up with them.

Real homeschooling means understanding how children learn and being patient enough to allow them to mature naturally and not put presence on to keep up with a certain grade level or other children.

Real homeschooling means protecting your slow maturing or learning-different child from ridicule or labeling. Help your children and relatives understand the principle or readiness as given in _Better Late Than Early_ and that all children develop differently. Don't allow anyone to make depreciating remarks. If children are in a church group where reading is used or expected, talk to the teacher. Or better yet, become the leader of the group and find creative ways to teach the children spiritual truths without resorting to school-type methods.

Real homeschooling means being alert enough to recognize that a certain material or method isn't working and back off or try something else. Because children are so different, something that worked fine with Sally may not work so well with Tommy. Besides, it just may be too early for him. Perhaps time is all he needs. We have known of many situations where a few-month respite will bring renewed motivation for a particular subject.

Real homeschooling means taking the time and effort to teach your children to work. We see many mothers, especially perfectionists, who do most or all of the home chores by themselves. Sometimes this is because their children don't do them satisfactorilly. But if this is your problem, you are doing your children a disservice. Neglecting to teach your children to work at an early age when they are willing, but very inept, is a mistake which may be difficult or virtually impossible to rectify later on in life.

Real homeschooling means being flexible enough to make adjustments in plans when an opportunity for special learning comes up. I remember an instance when an aid in a public school noticed an unusual double rainbow outside. She went to two different classrooms, including a science class, to tell the teacher about the special sight, but the teachers were not willing to interrupt their lectures. This does not mean that children need to watch every bird which comes to the feeder or every event that comes along, but there are times when we can miss a "teachable moment," with regret.

Real homeschooling means realizing that children need many and varied experiences with numbers to thoroughly understand number concepts before getting into computation. On the basis of both research and experience, we know that children who know all the combinations, but do not know whether to add, multiply or divide to solve a problem will not be successful in computation. It's like trying to build a house without a foundation.

Real homeschooling means knowing that children learn best when they are free from pressure. Children are naturally curious and want to do the things they see their parents and other children do. If you have attractive materials around, they will often choose to make use of them. This is your cue to help them if they need it, but always stop if and when frustration begins.

For a copy of The Moore Report International with the Moore's itinerary of 1996 Seminars and for a catalog of fine materials please write or call:

We highly recommend all of the Moore's books. Their latest, The Successful Homeschool Family Handbook, is vital reading for every well-informed homeschooling parent.