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mikimeiko's review against another edition
5.0
I... have a lot of things to think about.
(Research! Science! Why do people not listen to science?!)
(Research! Science! Why do people not listen to science?!)
bookgirl4ever's review against another edition
3.0
Presents many interesting points on parents taking a more hands-off, child-directed learning approach with their children. Gray uses case studies of hunter-gatherers to create his thesis and then offers the example of his son's self-directing learning education to make his point. I found the information about the hunter-gatherer culture a little to perfect (no culture has the perfect solutions or the right way of living in my humble opinion). However, he does present much to think about as my child embarks on his formal (and maybe not so formal) education.
michaelesch's review against another edition
5.0
I am giving this book a 5-star rating not because I agree with everything in the book, but because it was a fantastic read. The more I read, the more I realized that traditional education and even progressive education uses unschooling language but does not mean what they say. For example, we are taught in the college of education that we should allow to students to direct their learning, inquiry-based learning is superior to other forms of learning, and student's creativity is something that should be fostered not hindered. Then in reality our schools do the opposite.
It is disheartening to the insincerity of the system.
This book though leaves you with a sense of hope. As our economy is rapidly changing it is becoming more and more apparent that having everyone learn the same material for 12 years is not efficient or effective. Students are diverse individuals and, therefore, their education should look diverse.
In the book, the author explains how age segregation hurts child's ability to empathize and deal with stress and depression. One of my favorite sections was on play and the value of play. Sometimes we believe things because our gut tells us it is true. Play is good for children, but I never knew how to articulate myself in the professional world of education. I want to thank the author for expanding my thought and vocabulary.
Highly recommend this book for higher level thinking.
It is disheartening to the insincerity of the system.
This book though leaves you with a sense of hope. As our economy is rapidly changing it is becoming more and more apparent that having everyone learn the same material for 12 years is not efficient or effective. Students are diverse individuals and, therefore, their education should look diverse.
In the book, the author explains how age segregation hurts child's ability to empathize and deal with stress and depression. One of my favorite sections was on play and the value of play. Sometimes we believe things because our gut tells us it is true. Play is good for children, but I never knew how to articulate myself in the professional world of education. I want to thank the author for expanding my thought and vocabulary.
Highly recommend this book for higher level thinking.
jillccox's review against another edition
5.0
I’ve heard this book referenced so much, I finally had to give it a go. I won’t be providing a thorough review with a summary and critique of his points, but I will say I found it very interesting with both data and anecdotes to support his arguments. A lot of what he talks about matches what I’ve seen in my own educational journey and also in parenting my children. It was a very worthwhile read.
simplymary's review against another edition
4.0
The author's experience with public schools is worse than mine, so the underlying context of schools being the enemy got in the way. However, I very much enjoyed being reminded of how important play is, and liked learning about the fascinating Sudbury Valley School model. Favorite topics included the benefits of age mixing in play, and noting the difference between parenting styles of trustful, directive-domineering, and directive-protective parents.
allisonmarie223's review against another edition
2.0
This book was interesting at times, and I enjoyed hearing about how children learn and play and what historically influences this. Yet Gray seems to have a "throw the baby out with the bathwater" approach to shifting educational systems and I think there are ways to work with existing structures. I also was put off by the frequent use of "normal" to indicate non-autistic or neurotypical child. Overall, interesting information, not life changing.
samiamstew's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
4.25
Very dense but references many studies which I appreciate and I was missing from Stuart Brown’s book on play. Lots of information about types of play and benefits. Could make some great handouts from this! It would be a good physical book reference.