Homeschool Recipe for Genius

"More of family, less of school; 
more of parents, less of peers; 
more creative freedom, and less formal lessons."
From School Can Wait by Raymond S.Moore  
(More, more, more...hey, maybe this is why they were the "Moores!?")

I have checked out a book or two from the library at sometime, but I cannot say I m a follower of the Moores, what I do know is that Dr. Raymond and Dorothy Moore were outspoken voices in the homeschooling movement.  It was their voices that inspired many to begin the homeschooling journey who had never really thought much of it before.  Raymond Moore, whose professional background included being a teacher, working as a school  principal and as a superintendent of California Public Schools, wrote in advocacy of homeschooling, and Christianity too; his research  on the effect of early formal schooling on children lend his work much professional credential even among his peers.

When the Moores wrote their books, the idea of sending children to public school had become so much a cultural norm that many actually believed homeschooling children was not only illegal but detrimental.  Public opinon seemed to be that children needed to go to school in order to be "socialized" Moore, in the 1960's and 70's, did actual research on early learning, and published his results concerning the effects of formal education too early on children and their families.  The Moore' formula for success was study, (tailored to the child) work, around the home and in community service and entrepreneurship.  The most important thing that Moore's readers learned was that
homeschooling should not be an attempt to bring institutional schooling into the home.

The Moores were not alone, in their research or their beliefs on family, home and learning issues.  They were unique though that they were also professionals in the educational field,  In the early 1980's people all across the nation had already decided that formal schooling, and in particular public school, was not for their family.  In our state, Washington, there was an estimated 5000 children being schooled at home outside of both public school and the private school systems, and the actual numbers were even believed to be higher.  This "homeschooling" was being done, some others argued, "illegally," and those who did not enroll in school were being considered "truant."  Then, the many legal battles between parents and school district authorities began.

The work of interested parties then began to make "homeschooling" legal.  In Washington, legality to homeschool began in 1985.  The work of the Moores was instrumental all across American because their "professional" opinion, based on their research and expertise in the educational field, was that children were being put into schools too soon.  This was contrary to many "school officials" and "experts"  who wanted to start children (in California,) as early as two-years and nine months!

Contrary to what some were being taught, the Moores taught parents and educators that the environment of home was the best place for young children to grow, learn and develop.  They discovered in their research that children sent to school too soon felt rejected by their parents and they felt this should not be so.   They saw the negative cultural consequences as well as consequences to children's well-being when they were forced into conformity with a classroom of peers in varying degrees of learning capability, and problems with children being put in situations where they were not free to make mistakes or be different from their classmates without ridicule.

While the Moore's took such a stance, they did acknowledge that in some situations, for example, in the case of a working single parents, preschool or early education might be necessary; even desirable, as opposed to starvation, welfare or possible neglect... but even for parents in such a situation, the Moores stressed the importance of creating a learning environment for children in the home. People interested in the welfare of children and those interested in this increasingly popular concept, "homeschooling," read their books and implemented their methodologies and ideas, by the thousands.

The Moores undoubtedly believed that the optimal environment for a child to learn and feel secure, to be free to develop at his or her own pace and learn, was in the home.  They were strong advocates for parents and families, strong advocates of education and most importantly, strong advocates of "homeschooling." Contrary to much public opinion, they believed that a child's first exposure to formal education should not begin until sometime between eight to twelve years of age.

You can get and introduction to their books at: http://moorehomeschool.com/moore-books 

The Moores are no longer with us, Raymond Moore died July 13, 2007, at the age of 91 .  Their books are out of print, but their legacy lives on.    They were a vital part of America's homeschooling and educational history.
~ Lisa B.