My Radical Life 

Testimonial

Great Little Read about Home Education

An excellent little book for home educating families, or those interested in it, which illustrates how this approach to children's learning can and does work well and how these children progress beyond it.

Ross Mountney
Home Educator and Author

testimonial

A Useful Mix of Practical Information and Theory

As a former home educator myself, I am sometimes hesitant to read a book about home education in case the book has incorrect information or just feels plain wrong. This book is neither of those, and was a pleasure to read.

The layout is really good with the first section telling the stories of several home educated families. Susan naturally starts with her own family, with the first section devoted to how they came to home educate from the parental view, and second section giving the child's view, including what they are doing now. Each chapter is about a different family but follows the same format. This is an excellent way to start as it will give those new to home education an idea of the different reasons that different families have for home educating. There is something for everyone here.

Section 2 gives a more in-depth look at home education. Again, drawing on her own experiences, Susan shows how home education works in practice, as well as covering the law and some pros and cons.

The frequently asked questions chapter covers many of those questions that those new to home education usually ask, and the answers are clear and helpful. This section is rounded off with an overview of different learning styles, which again gives examples of how Susan used these both while home educating but also in her teaching practice.

There was little mention of special educational needs which is one of the common reasons for home educating, but as Susan says, it was beyond the scope of the book. However, Simon's dyslexia was mentioned and it was clear that their style of home education was able to take this into account. It showed that when home educating, special educational needs can be met without the formality of school.

This book would be suitable for those who are embarking on their home education journey, as well as those who might have been doing it for a while but are looking for a new direction. It would also be a good book to give those doubters in the family who often ask 'but how will they learn'. Susan and Simon's journey and that of their friends clearly shows that home education can work to create happy, healthy and well rounded adults.

J. Skillen
Home Educator