Sandra Dodd's Big Book of Unschooling is an insightful summary of her website, with hundreds of practical ideas about how to move from schoolish thinking to living a life of natural learning and joy. Its more clearly landmarked journey flows beautifully and feels deeper; more connected and personal.

Unschooling isn't a technique - it's living and learning naturally, lovingly, and respectfully together. The Unschooling Unmanual features 11 essays by 8 writers: Nanda Van Gestel, Jan Hunt, Daniel Quinn, Rue Kream, Kim Houssenloge, Earl Stevens, and Mary Van Doren. Through engaging personal stories, examples, and essays, the writers offer inspiration and encouragement for seasoned and prospective unschoolers alike. This 2nd edition now includes Jan Hunt's Ten Tips for New Unschooling Parents. ''A concise, readable and accessible manifesto for natural learning and trust in children, The Unschooling Unmanualbrings together contributions from eight authors in eleven very readable essays. The Unmanual is a great introduction to learning and unschooling for people coming from an educational perspective... at the same time it can be an invaluable confidence booster for people already on an unschooling journey.'' - Arun Pradhan, The Parenting Pit ''The Unschooling Unmanual is a unique and empowering book about the growing trend of unschooling. It is the book to give to doubtful or fearing partners and family as well as anyone considering or interested in this life.'' - Dayna Martin, Unschooling America

The groundbreaking book that explains Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)--and presents a drug-free approach that offers hope for parents--now revised and updated. Does your child exhibit... Over-responsivity--or under-responsivity--to touch or movement? A child with SPD may be a "sensory avoider," withdrawing from touch, refusing to wear certain clothing, avoiding active games--or he may be a "sensory disregarder," needing a jump start to get moving. Over-responsivity--or under-responsivity--to sounds, sights taste, or smell? She may cover her ears or eyes, be a picky eater, or seem oblivious to sensory cues. Cravings for sensation? The "sensory craver" never gets enough of certain sensations, e.g., messy play, spicy food, noisy action, and perpetual movement. Poor sensory discrimination? She may not sense the difference between objects or experiences--unaware of what she's holding unless she looks, and unable to sense when she's falling or how to catch herself. Unusually high or low activity level? The child may be constantly on the go--wearing out everyone around him--or move slowly and tire easily, showing little interest in the world. Problems with posture or motor coordination? He may slouch, move awkwardly, seem careless or accident-prone. These are often the first clues to Sensory Processing Disorder--a common but frequently misdiagnosed problem in which the central nervous system misinterprets messages from the senses. The Out-of-Sync Child offers comprehensive, clear information for parents and professionals--and a drug-free treatment approach for children. This revised edition includes new sections on vision and hearing, picky eaters, and disorders such as autism, among other topics.

To Unschoolers, Learning Is As Natural As Breathing Did you know that a growing percentage of home schoolers are becoming unschoolers? The unschooling movement is founded on the principle that children learn best when they pursue their own natural curiosities and interests. Without bells, schedules, and rules about what to do and when, the knowledge they gain through mindful living and exploration is absorbed more easily and enthusiastically. Learning is a natural, inborn impulse, and the world is rich with lessons to be learned and puzzles to be solved. Successful unschooling parents know how to stimulate and direct their children's learning impulse. Once you read this book, so will you!

No one is immune to the byproducts of compulsory schooling and standardized testing. And while reform may be a worthy cause for some, it is not enough for countless others still trying to navigate the tyranny of what schooling has always been. Raising Free People argues that we need to build and work within systems truly designed for any human to learn, grow, socialize, and thrive, regardless of age, ability, background, or access to money. Families and conscious organizations across the world are healing generations of school wounds by pivoting into self-directed, intentional community-building, and Raising Free People shows you exactly how unschooling can help facilitate this process. Individual experiences influence our approach to parenting and education, so we need more than the rules, tools, and “bad adult” guilt trips found in so many parenting and education books. We need to reach behind our behaviors to seek and find our triggers; to examine and interrupt the ways that social issues such as colonization still wreak havoc on our ability to trust ourselves, let alone children. Raising Free People explores examples of the transition from school or homeschooling to unschooling, how single parents and people facing financial challenges unschool successfully, and the ways unschooling allows us to address generational trauma and unlearn the habits we mindlessly pass on to children. In these detailed and unabashed stories and insights, Richards examines the ways that her relationships to blackness, decolonization, and healing work all combine to form relationships and enable community-healing strategies rooted in an unschooling practice. This is how millions of families center human connection, practice clear and honest communication, and raise children who do not grow up to feel that they narrowly survived their childhoods.

"A practical handbook on learning without school"--Cover.

If you're eager to share the wonders of life in the real world with your children, to help them explore a world larger and more exciting than school's four walls and rigid programs can offer, let me share my unschooling experience with you. Thinking about homeschooling? Curious about unschooling? Walk with me as I share the five paradigm-changing ideas about learning and living that freed my family from the school schedule. With over ten years of experience, I have come to see how key these ideas were, and still are, to our unschooling lives. With stories, examples, and clear language, Free to Learn explores the depth and potential of unschooling. Learning freely, living joyfully.

School is one option for education; homeschooling is the second, and unschooling is the third. Many parents are frustrated by the school system, perhaps because of bullying, crowded classrooms, and outdated, dull, online courses. Disengaged learners that have no say in their coerced curriculum tend to act out, tune out, or drop out. Education must change and unschooling is the fastest-growing alternative method of learning. Two decades ago, students registered with their local school based on their house address. Now, with the internet, students are borderless. Learning can occur anywhere, anytime, anyway and from anyone-including self-taught. Self-directing their education, unschoolers learn through: - Play - Projects - Reading - Volunteering - Video games - Sports - Mentorship - Travel - Life This book explores the path of 30 unschooled children who self-directed all or part of their education and were accepted by universities, colleges, and other postsecondary schools. Most have already graduated. What children need most are close relationships-parents, teachers, siblings, relatives, coaches, and mentors within a wider community, not just within an institutional school. Educational content is everywhere. Caring relationships are not. Families that embrace unschooling, do not have to choose between a quality education and a relaxed, connected family lifestyle. They can have both.

"Are you panicking about homeschooling your teen?" "Do you fear they'll miss the various activities associated with adolescence?" "Maybe you're afraid you'll close doors for them or they won't be well-prepared for adulthood?" "Are you afraid you're going to mess things up or "make them weird?"" Breathe These 75 young people are going to show you exactly what their lives looked like as homeschooled teenagers. And you'll be surprised at how they made friends, got along with family, and explored unique learning environments. They're eager to share the benefits and advantages they experienced through homeschooling. Their lives were (and are ) full, rich, and happy. Bring your doubts-reassurance is on its way "There is finally a big enough generation of grown-up homeschooled kids that it is possible to see patterns and grasp the diversity in their experiences. And who better to tell us about all that than the kids themselves You'll find these young voices are fascinating and absorbing as they open a window for you to get a look into their unconventional lives. A great read. You'll find it hard to put down." Pam Sorooshian, Economics Professor, Homeschooling advocate "Awell-organized compilation of answers to questions about homeschooled teens' ways of learning, social lives, family relationships, hobbies, college experiences, careers, and more. I recommend it highly to anyone who is homeschooling, considering homeschooling, or curious about it." Peter Gray, ResearchProfessor of Psychology at Boston College and author of"Free to Learn" "This thoughtful book, full of their opinions, experiences, and honest comments about home-based learning, is proof. You will be reassured, then inspired. And they will provide you with some really great advice... so pay attention " Wendy Presnietz, Editor of"Life Learning Magazine," author of "School Free" and "Challenging Assumptions in Education." "Apriceless collection of observations and insights A wide range of experiences, interests, and goals...a fascinating look at homeschooling during the teen years." Pam Laricchia, author of the book, "Free to Learn, Free to Live, and Life through the Lens of Unschooling" "A vivid and honest survey about the joys, opportunities, and challenges of homeschooling teenagers. Read this book to learn how you can customize homeschooling to any teenager's advantage." Patrick Farenga, co-authorof"Teach Your Own: The John Holt Book of Homeschooling" "A reassuring, helpful, and fantastic resource for anyone involved in homeschooling or interested in this way of educating children. An extraordinary resource " Marty Layne, Homeschooling advocate in Canada and the U.S. and author of "Learning At Home: A Mother's Guide to Homeschooling" and "Can I Do This: Teach My Children at Home?" This book is a gem-superb in many ways.The author's extensiveexperience, careful observations, and wise perspective provide a frameworkfor the poignant and perceptive comments of these 75 young people.No better book exists providing a convincing case thathomeschoolers engage indeep, meaningful learning and go on to live productive andfulfilling adult lives. Wes Beach, speaker, consultant, and author of "Forging Paths: Beyond Traditional Schooling" and "Self-Directed Learning: Documentation and Life Stories." "Like reading the sequel I never wrote to my own books Anyone who wants to know whether homeschooling-especially unschooling-works should look at the kids, but Sue's approach is even better: she asks the kids. And as we homeschooling parents know well, our kids have plenty to tell us. Mary Griffith, author of"The Homeschooling Handbook"and"The Unschooling Handbook