Deschooling Gently (Paperback)

~ Tammy Takahashi (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Deschooling Gently will help you whether you are new to homeschooling, or if you are experienced, but are in need of new approaches. Discover the best way to educate your children at home, not through rote process, but by learning how to find the answer within yourself. This plan will provide confidence to trust your own educational decisions, a clear understanding of your children's needs and how to meet them, the ability to make calm and wise decisions about your children's education, a solid footing for starting the homeschool journey, and most importantly - concrete ideas on what to do now to make your transition to homeschooling smooth and painless.

Product Details

• Paperback: 236 pages
• Publisher: Hunt Press; First Edition edition (May 2, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0615208770
• ISBN-13: 978-0615208770
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #838,858 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential Reading For Parents and Educators, September 3, 2008

By	Sandra Foyt "Learning Mom" (Albany, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've read many school and homeschool "guidebooks." It's my job, as a parent and home educator, to find out about the best practices and resources within school settings, as well as the diversity of options outside of traditional or alternative schools.

Unfortunately, so much information can leave a bewildered parent educator frantically trying to make one perfect choice amongst a forest of great options.

This is where Deschooling Gently is invaluable. Before addressing the concerns of new, or experienced homeschoolers, Tammy counsels the reader to:

Use what works, and leave the rest. Find the part of yourself that might be afraid, but moves forward anyway. Everything you need to make homeschooling work is already inside you. It's my hope, that this book will help you find the fearless homeschooler that you have in you, and let it shine through.

In each chapter, Takahashi describes the following steps to relaxed homeschooling:
1. Create a Foundation before Deschooling
2. Redefine Curriculum
3. Exploring Options in the Real World
4. A New Kind of Schedule
5. Teach Your Child As If No Other Exists
6. Creating Family Educational Goals
7. Get Hooked Up, Get the Kids Hooked Up
8. Become a Student of the World
9. Don't Keep Records, Keep a Journal
10. Evolve Gently Into a New Homeschooling Life
11. Step Away from "Deschooling"

Each of these chapter is a gem, but there were a few items that truly resonated with me.

On doubts and fears:

Among others, Tammy hit on my greatest fear: What If My Child Misses Something?

Fortunately, she also provides a sensible response. Basically, she reminds readers that there are many paths, but you can only follow one at a time. She advises them to embrace whatever choice they make and realize that "whichever path they take, they are going to be OK."

On Educational Goals -

I especially agreed with Deschooling Gently's emphasis on family as the starting point for setting any goals, including educational goals. Your family goals can provide the framework necessary for your educational goals.

I highly recommend this book to anyone considering homeschooling or who just needs permission to relax, and enjoy learning with their family.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read!, September 2, 2008

By	SlingMommy - See all my reviews

I bought this book because it was highly recommended by both a friend and a homeschool magazine that I greatly respect, not because I had a particular interest in the subject of deschooling. My children have never been to school so the subject wasn't at the forefront of my thoughts. After reading Tammy Takahashi's wonderful book I realized that maybe my children don't need to deschool, but I sure do! Through her book Ms. Takahashi helped put to rest some of my uneasy feelings about homeschooling. She gave me the power to really put into practice some of my ideas about homeschooling, unschooling in particular, that I've been too insecure to implement thus far.

Here's an overview of just some of the chapter titles (these were my personal favorites) - "Exploring Options in the Real World", "Teach Your Child As If No Other Exists", "Creating Family Educational Goals", and "Become A Student Of The World".

I highly recommend this book to homeschoolers both new and old who may or may not think they need to deschool. Even if you know all there is to know on the subject you'll get something out of stepping into Tammy Takahashi's fantastic book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Relax and Enjoy Homeschooling--D.G. Shows You How, December 24, 2008

By	Elizabeth Scott - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have to start by saying that I've really enjoyed this book. The tone is very readable and it's knowledgeable without being dry.

As for the content, this book is unique in that to covers one aspect of homeschooling--deschooling--in greater depth than most homeschooling books I've seen (some touch on it, but here it's really well-covered), but it touches on broader issues of homeschooling, parenting and family balance (even inner balance) through that lens, and shares something valuable that I believe most homeschooling families (even 'veterans'!) can benefit from. Where many other books share a new paradigm that should be followed, quoted, and adhered to fairly strictly, this book really does help you find your own way and feel good about what you're doing. (It's like the difference between being in school and told what to think, and being homeschooled and encouraged to think for yourself!) Tammy offers guidelines, information, resources, and new ways of seeing things, but she also offers support and an open attitude that encourages the reader to trust her instincts and find her own way. (Kind of reminds me of the Sears books on baby parenting.)

I think that one thing that's most difficult for new homeschoolers is knowing that what they're doing is 'okay', that they're doing it the right way, and this book really addresses that. But another thing that I've found with homeschooling for a few years is that the way I thought we might do it ended up not being the way that worked best for our family; that we continually alter the way we're doing things, and are constantly changing things up to find the right balance, the 'ingredients' that work best for our particular mix of needs and personalities; that no matter WHAT you do, there's a bunch of schools of thought that tell you what you're doing is wrong and will lead to certain doom for yourself and your family (I've found that with many general parenting philosophies as well). What I love about this book is that it's compatible with many different philosophies of schooling--from unschooling to using a government-funded charter, and can even apply to traditionally schooled children to a certain extent as a supplement--and that it offers something for everyone.

Elizabeth