Children learn the basics (writing, reading, maths) when they are ready and motivated. Based on the experience of other democratic schools, these basics are learned through everyday interactions and play. A child might want to bake a cake and will need to do basic maths. Most card games also require counting. Reading and writing are also skills that children learn when they see a need for them. Some children will learn to read and write at the age of four, while others might not read until the age of twelve. There is no evidence for long-term disadvantages when learning to read at a later age. Students might seek help from staff to learn these skills, or they may utilise online tools and resources to learn on their own or with friends. Recommended reading: McDonald, K. (2019). Unschooled: Raising curious, well-educated children outside the conventional classroom. Chicago Review Press. Gray, P. (2010, February 24). Children teach themselves to read. Psychology Today: Freedom to Learn. https://www.psychologytoday.com/sg/blog/freedom-to-learn/201002/children-teach-themselves-to-read Gray, P. (2010, April 14). Kids learn math easily when they control their own learning. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/sg/blog/freedom-learn/201004/kids-learn-math-easily-when-they-control-their-own-learning