Parenting
Unconditional Parenting: Moving from Rewards and Punishments
to Love and Reason by Alfie Kohn
New as of Spring 2005. Alfie Kohn has written extensively about education.
Now he turns his focus to parenting itself. In this book he challenges conventional
notions about discipline and child development, citing the research that points
to the damage caused by conditional parenting and common discipline techniques.
Unconditional Parenting is a work of social
criticism but it is also an accessible guide for parents, with suggestions
about what to do. Kohn points out that it is not enough for us as parents
that we know that we love and accept our children unconditionally.
What matters for their wellbeing and healthy development is that they
experience our love as unconditional. We can help that happen when
we shift our approach from one of control (getting children to behave properly)
to one of support.
www.unconditionalparenting.com
The Continuum Concept by Jean Liedloff
This important book is about Liedloff's experience with the Yequana Indians,
who raise their infants with almost constant human contact, keeping them in
arms until they are ready to explore on their own. Liedloff's thoughts about
helping children participate in their culture, and about lessening the conflict
between children and adults, are crucial reading for any parent. In a way,
this book provides the best answer to the socialization question that everyone
asks of homeschoolers. "As important a book as any I have ever read."~John
Holt (Perseus Publishing, Original Edition Copyright 1975, Revised Edition
Copyright 1977 Introduction Copyright 1985, 172 Pages, Paperback: ISBN 0-201-05071-4)
How To Talk So Kids Will Listen And Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish ~~ In its 20th anniversary edition, this now classic work about communication in families is written by two mothers who are deeply respectful of children and equally compassionate toward parents. They talk about how to accept rather than deny children's feelings, how to work toward solutions together, and how to erase the negative messages many of us heard when we were growing up and learn to offer something very different to children now. There are shared families' experiences, cartoons, exercises to do, many conversations reproduced and analyzed. (Avon Books, Copyright 1999, 272 Pages, ISBN 0380811960)
Child's Work: Taking Children's Choices Seriously by Nancy Wallace
Kids Are Worth It!, by Barbara Coloroso; Somerville House Publishing, Toronto, 1995. For parenting "with wisdom and wit" - in a non-violent, non-alienating way that respects everyone's dignity and teaches tools for self-discipline.
Knights Without Armor - A Practical Guide for Men in Quest of Masculine Soul , by Aaron R. Kipnis, PhD; Jeremy P. Tarcher, New York, 1991. This book is something for parents of boys to read: although it isn't written as a parenting book, it may give you insight into what it's like to grow up male in our culture.
Growing Up Creative: Nurturing a Lifetime of Creativity by Teresa M. Amabile..a wonderful book about children's creativity and motivation and how parents attitudes can stimulate creativity.
Learning styles and teaching methods
Learning Tools Publishing — books on how to teach reading and math to children and adults with "learning difficulties" ("learning disabilities," e.g. dyslexia) by teaching orientation and focus to help them harness their gift of 3-dimensional processing. Books include Magic Glasses, Touch the Sky (for teaching native learners), and Three Dimensional Learning. The methods taught in the books are also the subject of the author's tutoring services and programs for parents as teachers.
In Their Own Way: Discovering and Encouraging Your Child's
Multiple Intelligences by Thomas Armstrong, Ph.D.
How to respond to children's different needs and learning styles, rather than
classifying them as learning disabled or slow. Important arguments against
standardized testing. Based on Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences,
it includes many practical suggestions for teaching any subject in multiple
ways. (Penguin Putnam Inc., Revised and Updated Copyright 2000, 290 Pages,
Paperback: ISBN 1-58542-051-4)
Awakening Your Child's Genius by Thomas Armstrong (don't be mislead by the title, this is an excellent book about appealing to different types of intelligence).
Frames Of Mind by Howard Gardiner....describes seven models of intelligence, this book is often quoted in other books concerning the overemphasis on mathematical and linguistic skills and not recognizing others just as important..kinesthetic, musical, spatial, interpersonal, intrapersonal.
The Myth of the A.D.D. Child by Thomas Armstrong
An astute challenge to the accepted understanding of Attention Deficit Disorder.
Armstrong does not deny that some kids have a harder time keeping still or
paying attention, but he looks carefully at all possible explanations for
this behaviour. Even more important, it's an extremely useful handbook, offering
50 ways to help children without drugs, labels or coercion. Read more about
Thomas Armstrong and his thoughts on children and learning at his website:
www.thomasarmstrong.com.
(Penguin Books of Canada, Copyright 1997, 320 pages, ISBN 0452275474)
The Power of Mindful Learning by Ellen Langer
Practice makes perfect? Wrong answers are bad? Ellen Langer doesn't think
so. In fact, she challenges so many of society's most accepted notions about
learning. Langer praises doubt and uncertainty, thinks people have fun when
they are learning something new and thinks kids with attention-deficit disorder
aren't distracted, they are just paying attention to something else. This
book will have you thinking, talking, and seeing things in new ways. (Perseus
Publishing, Copyright 1998, 167 Pages, ISBN 0201339919)
How Children Learn by John Holt
How Children Learn is an insightful look at the way children learn and challenges
traditional assumptions. (Dell Publishing, Copyright 1967, Revised 1983, 303
pages, ISBN 0-440-55051-3)
Learning All The Time by John Holt
This book describes how children, without being coerced or manipulated, can
learn how to do "the basics" from the world around them. Holt suggests
simple ways we can give slight assistance to children, as needed, to learn
reading, writing, math, science and music. (Addison-Wesley Publishing, Copyright
1989, 169 pages, Paperback: ISBN 0-201-55091-1)
Freedom and Beyond and Escape From Childhood by John Holt
I Learn Better When I Teach Myself and Still
Teaching Ourselves by Agnes Leistico
This new edition combines two popular books under one cover. How a homeschooling
mother learned to trust her children--and herself--to learn in new ways from
elementary school to high school. These books are especially good for anyone
wrestling with the question of "how much structure?" I Learn Better
By Teaching Myself--"The underlying message in this book is trust in
your child. Just as we needed to look at the breastfeeding child to know his
needs to nurse, we can trust that our children can direct their own education."
(Holt Associates, Copyright 1997, 304 Pages, ISBN 0913677124)
The Lives of Children: The Story of the First Street
School by George Dennison
A new edition with a new foreword by Mabel Dennison, and previously unpublished
writing by George Dennison. A deeply inspiring story of a school that worked
for kids whom everyone else had given up on. John Holt wrote, "For while
I hope that in years to come we may learn much about human growth and development
that we do not now know, I doubt that any one book will advance our understanding
as much as this one." Don't miss this beautifully written, classic work.
(Boynton/Cook Publishers, Copyright 1999, 308 pages, ISBN 0867094834)
No Contest: The Case Against Competition by Alfie
Kohn
Kohn takes an in-depth look at competition, highlights what is wrong with
it and shows that cooperation gives much better results. The revised edition
includes: (1) detailed accounts of how students can learn more effectively
by working cooperatively in the classroom instead of struggling to be Number
One; and (2) a personal afterword that assesses shifts in thinking about competition
and describes reactions to his message. (Houghton
Mifflin Company, Copyright 1986, Revised Edition 1992, 324 Pages, Paperback:
ISBN 0-395-63125-4)
Punished by Rewards: The Trouble with Gold Stars, Incentive
Plans, A's, Praise, and Other Bribes by Alfie Kohn
Kohn states that children are intrinsically motivated to make sense of their
world. However, we undermine that with the use of approval/disapproval, grades
and fear of punishment. What makes the book so valuable is that after demonstrating
the harmful effects of rewards (at home, school and the workplace), Kohn describes,
very concretely, the many other alternatives available. (Houghton
Mifflin Company, Copyright 1993, 398 pages, Paperback: ISBN 0-395-71090-1)
The Schools Our Children Deserve: Moving Beyond Traditional
Classrooms and "Tougher Standards" by Alfie Kohn
Kohn offers a comprehensive critique of the traditional educational paradigm.
It's clear, well-reasoned, and supported by many contemporary examples and
much research, making it useful to (1) homeschooling parents who recognize
that their own assumptions about education are their biggest obstacle to overcome;
(2) spouses or other relatives and friends who want hard evidence, and persuasive
analysis to show why the old model doesn't work and what we can do instead;
(3) parents, teachers and anyone else in a community seeking real and concrete
ways to agitate for change. (Houghton
Mifflin Company, Copyright 1999, 344 pages, Hardcover: ISBN 0-395-94039-7,
Paperback: ISBN 0-618-08345-6)
A Free Range Childhood: Self-Regulation at Summerhill School by Matthew Appleton
Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning by Doug Wilson
Any Child Can Write and Any Child Can Read Better by Harvey S. Weiner
Homeschooling
Teach Your Own by John Holt
This book discusses way in which we can allow children to learn outside of
schools-whether it is at home, or in whatever places and situations we can
make available to them. Holt provides advice to parents on how they can play
a greater role in their child's education and how they can use the tools around
them to educate their children. Holt shows a hopeful path for education in
Teach Your Own. (Dell Publishing, Copyright 1981, 369 Pages, ISBN 0-440-55055-6)
School Free --The Home Schooling
Handbook by Wendy Priesnitz (available from Natural
Life)
This book provides answers to the many questions surrounding home-based education:
is it legal?, what do you do all day? how do we know they're learning? socialization,
the teenaged learner, etc. A lot of the information came from parents who
are homeschooling their children.
Homeschooling on a Shoestring by Melissa Morgan and Judith Allee
The Homeschooling Handbook by Mary Griffith
Thriving in the Home School—A Parent's Guide,
by Donna Fawcett.
Donna enrolled her three daughters in a private school first, then a public
school and then finally decided to home teach, taking them through to complete
their high school. All three girls received academic scholarships and have
entered the world with excellent social and academic skills. The book is geared
to parents at all stages of home teaching. It covers social skills, preparation
for college, dating and more. The book is to be released March 31, 2006 and
can be found through Chapters stores, amazonbooks.com
or by contacting the author at hometaughtfawcetts@
(add hotmail.com to complete the email address).
Top Ten Home Education Books (from The Education Source)
Homeschooling For Excellence by David & Micki
Colfax
Homeschooling gained national media attention in the 1980's when David and
Micki's oldest son, Grant Colfax, was homeschooled into Harvard. The Colfaxes
had embarked on a life-changing adventure by moving to a remote area of Northern
California where together they built a house, farm and several businesses
and homeschooled their children. Grant went on to graduate from Harvard University
and then Harvard Medical School. All together, the Colfax brothers attended
Harvard, Yale and Harvard Law School. (Warner Books, Copyright 1988, 128 Pages,
ISBN 0446389862)
The Teenage Liberation Handbook:
How to Quit School and Get a Real Life and Education by Grace Llewellyn
Llewellyn presents good reasons for teens to "drop into life", by
leaving school and reclaiming their natural ability to learn. The book is
filled with great advice and personal stories like how to design a real-life
education, how to find volunteer positions, and how to get into college without
going to high school. The Handbook was written with teens in mind, yet its
message is true for all ages of homeschoolers; self-taught and self-directed
children are our future leaders and entrepreneurs. (Lowry House Publishers,
Copyright 1991, 1998, 435 Pages, Paperback: ISBN 0-9629591-7-0)
Dumbing Us Down: The Invisible Curriculum of Compulsory
Schooling by John Taylor Gatto
Several essays based on speeches by Gatto about schooling versus education,
why we need less school and not more, the seven-lesson school teacher, his
controversial Teacher of the Year acceptance speech before the New York State
Senate and more. Gatto's rhetoric is incisive-at times cutting-and his unwavering
advocacy for homeschooling and all other alternatives to government schools
make him a broad-minded rarity in the current crop of school reformers. (New
Society Publishers, Copyright 1992, 104 pages, Hardcover: ISBN 1-55092-174-6,
Paperback: ISBN 1-55092-175-4)
The Unschooling Handbook: How to Use the Whole World
as Your Child's Classroom by Mary Griffith
Griffith and thousands of other unschooling parents believe that learning
is as natural to children as breathing. If allowed to pursue their own interests,
children will cover all the subjects taught in school. And, more importantly,
they will continue to love to learn and explore their world. Filled with advice
from other unschooling families (parents and kids), (Prima Publishing, Copyright
1998, 230 pages, ISBN 0-7615-1276-4)
The Homeschooling Book of Answers: The 88 Most Important
Questions Answered by Homeschooling's Most Respected Voices edited by
Linda Dobson
Dobson enlisted the help of the most respected voices in the homeschooling
community. Every question that new and veteran homeschoolers could ever have
is answered in this book. What is genuinely interesting about this book is
that while you look for answers about homeschooling, you will find that homeschooling
is a way of life and that each family's journey is different. (Prima Publishing,
Copyright 1998, 350 Pages, ISBN 0761513779)
Deschooling Our Lives edited by Matt Hern
Foreword by Ivan Illich. This book provides a terrific overview of all the
things people are doing instead of sending their children to conventional
schools. It is a collection of essays which challenge our assumptions about
education. (New Society Publishers, Copyright 1996, 150 Pages, Hardcover:
ISBN 1-55092-282-3, Paperback: ISBN 1-55092-283-1)
The Successful Homeschool Family Handbook: A Creative
and Stress-Free Approach to Homeschooling by Raymond & Dorothy Moore
The Moores, who are considered to be the "Grandparents" of the homeschooling
movement, use personal experience and extensive research to show readers how
to educate their children at home with low stress, low cost and great success.
(Thomas Nelson, Copyright 1994, 300 pages, ISBN 0785281754)
The Big Book of Home Learning: Volume 1, Getting Started
by Mary Pride
Mary Pride writes from a Christian perspective. The Big Book of Home Learning
is a four-volume set, but Volume #1 is the real keeper. This book introduces
you to all the major homeschooling methods and answers your most frequently
asked questions. (Alpha Omega Publications, Copyright 2000)
Home Educating With Confidence by Rick & Marilyn
Boyer
Written from a Christian perspective, the Boyers' book is filled with the
wisdom of over seventeen years of homeschooling experience. From why they
started homeschooling to what their grown children are doing now, the Boyers
write with love and an incredible respect for their children. The best reason
to read this book is the message it leaves you with - ordinary parents can
produce extraordinary children. (The Learning Parent, Copyright 1996, 260
pages, ISBN 0964539632)
The Complete Home Learning Source Book by Rebecca
Rupp
This is a very comprehensive and complete source book for Homeschoolers, Parents,
and Educators. It covers not only basic academic subjects, but also many other
areas your child could be interested in (as the book says it covers every
subject from Arithmetic to Zoology). The book is laid out in an easy to use
format providing: (1) age guidelines - indicating what materials are appropriate
for what age ranges; (2) Format Guidelines - indicating the format that the
resource is available in such as audio, games, on-line resource, hands-on
activity, curriculum, kit, video, book, software, magazine, catalogue. (Three
Rivers Press, Copyright 1998, 865 pages, ISBN 0-609-80109-0)
Critiques of the school system
Challenging Assumptions In
Education by Wendy Priesnitz (available from Natural
Life)
So, what's wrong with our current industrial model of education?.......lots!
Wendy Priesnitz, a Canadian deschooling pioneer, reviews how we got the current
education system and why we need to demolish it and move to a "new educational
paradigm"--a learning society. A society in which children can participate
more fully in their communities and take charge of their own learning.
Rituals of Failure: What Schools Really Teach by Sandro Contenta ~~ Contenta gives a detailed examination of how Canadian schools are failing not just children but society as a whole.Through portraits of life in schools, Contenta shows how the "hidden curriculum" is slowly breaking the spirits of many children and destroying their years of education. Rituals of Failure proposes ways in which our schools can be restructured for the better. (Between The Lines, Copyright 1993, 225 Pages, Hardcover: ISBN 0-921284-71-3, Paperback: ISBN 0-921284-70-5)
Creating Learning Communities--Models, Resources, and
New Ways of Thinking About Teaching and Learning edited by Ron Miller
This book is a collection of essays and resource listings from a variety of
international authors with diverse backgrounds such as school teachers, homeschoolers,
autodidacts, education philosophers, etc. They have come together for a common
goal--the creation of learning communities. This book provides ways in which
we can replace schools with learning communities. (Copyright 2000)
A Sense of Self: Listening to Homeschooled Girls
by Susannah Sheffer
In today's society many girls lose their sense of self in their teenage years.
Since the general assumption is made that "all girls go to school"
no one has researched whether school could be part of the problem. Sheffer
interviewed 55 homeschooled girls and discovered that they were able to retain
their voices and resist challenges to their sense of self. (Boynton/Cook Publishers,
Copyright 1995, 191 pages, ISBN 0-86709-367-9)
Family Matters: Why Homeschooling Makes Sense by
David Guterson
Guterson is a homeschooling father, author and a high school English teacher.
He addresses issues such as socialization, competition, the importance of
relationships between children and adults, how we got the schools we have
today, what does education mean, the affordability of homeschooling, and much
more. A key element of his book is that "parents are crucial to the education
of children, and family life is fundamental to academic success." (A
Harvest Book, Harcourt Brace & Company, Copyright 1992, 254 pages, ISBN
0-15-630000-1)
The Art of Education: Reclaiming Your Family, Community,
and Self by Linda Dobson
A homeschooling mother's analysis of schooling with many different solutions
to help parents personalize their children's education. This book looks at
ways in which families can exchange conformity and dependency for personal
fulfillment through natural learning and living. (Holt Associates, Copyright
1998, 256 pages, ISBN 0913677140)
How Children Fail by John Holt
How Children Fail looks at what school is actually like for children and how
it prevents, rather than encourages, real learning. (Addison Wesley Longman,
Copyright 1995, 320 Pages, ISBN 0201484021)
The Underground History of American Education: A Schoolteacher's
Intimate Investigation Into The Problem of Modern Schooling by John Taylor
Gatto
This book was seven years in the making. Gatto shows how events in history
helped to create the modern schools of today. This book will challenge many
of your ideas about education as well as confirm many of your suspicions.
A passionate and well researched book (The Oxford Village Press, Copyright
2000/2001, 412 Pages, Hardcover: ISBN 0-945-70005-9, Paperback: ISBN 0-945-70004-0)
The Exhausted School: The First National Grassroots Speakout on the Right to School Choice by John Taylor Gatto
Miseducation: Preschoolers at Risk by David Elkind..will provide you with many examples of society trying to create superchildren: too much, too soon. In this same theme are The Hurried Child also by David Elkind
Deschooling Society by Ivan Illich
The Right Choice: the Incredible Failure of Public Education and the Rising Hope of Home Schooling by Chris Klicka
Is Public Education Necessary? by Samuel Blumenfeld
For the Children's Sake by Susan Schaeffer Macauley
The Disappearance of Childhood by Neil Postman
Home learning experiences
Hard Times in Paradise by David and Micki Colfax
The Painted Window by Betty Baldry
Where Can I Find These Books?
On-Line Book Sellers
www.amazon.com
www.barnesandnoble.com
www.bigwords.com
www.booksamillion.com
www.booksense.com
www.buybooks.com
www.varsitybooks.com
New Society Publishers
www.newsociety.com
P.O. Box 189
Gabriola Island BC V0R 1X0
Canada
Toll Free Call: 1-800-567-6772
Toll Free Fax: 1-800-567-7311
Can view their on-line catalogue; can purchase books on-line.
FUN Books
www.FUN-Books.com
1688 Belhaven Woods
Ct.
Pasadena MD 21122-3727
Voice Mail/Fax: 1-888-FUN-7020 OR (410) 360-7330
Email: FUN@FUN-Books.com
Request a catalogue and/or purchase their books on-line.
John Holt's Bookstore
John Holt's Bookstore operations have been transferred to FUN Books. All books
currently available through the John Holt's Bookstore can be purchased from
FUN Books.
Genius Tribe
P.O. Box 1014
Eugene, Oregon 97440-1014
USA
This catalogue contains a wide array of books and other resources on education,
simplicity, alternative ways of thinking and living, adolescence, curriculum
and much more. Produced and distributed by Grace Llewellyn, author of The
Teenage Liberation Handbook.
Natural Life General Store
www.life.ca/store
Box 340,
St. George, Ontario N0E 1N0
Telephone: 1-800-215-9574
Email: natural@life.ca
Can purchase Challenging Assumptions In Education
and School Free plus many others books
Chapters/Indigo Stores
www.chapters.indigo.ca
Many of these books can be purchased from a Chapters/Indigo Store. Also visit
their website to view the books they have available and to purchase on-line.
OFTP members can get a teacher's discount card with the Chapters/Indigo iREWARDS
program. Just present your OFTP membership card at any Chapters, Indigo or
Coles store and you can join for $15.00 versus the regular annual cost of
$20.00. iREWARDS members get 10% off all books, gain points for every dollar
spent to earn vouchers for future purchases, and enjoy exclusive events and
promotions. For more details, visit the website.
Parentbooks
www.parentbookstore.com
201 Harbord St.
Toronto, Ontario M5S 1H6
Telephone: (416) 537-8334, Toll Free 1-800-209-9182
Email: parentbk@netcom.ca
Local Library
Some of these books may be available at your local library or through inter-library
loan.
Links
Here are some other websites with lists of recommended books:
