Learning At Home: A Mother's Guide To Homeschooling [Paperback]

Marty Layne (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0968293808 | ISBN-13: 978-0968293805 | Publication Date: March 1998

A friendly, informative, and helpful guide to homeschooling by a mother whose four teenage and adult children have never gone to school - what it takes, how to do it, how to set-up one's house for learning, and how to cope with burn-out. There is also a wealth of practical mothering information about creating healthy, educated, creative, and responsible children. Chapters about reading, writing, arithmetic, social studies and science are filled with specific, helpful ideas for those new to the idea of homeschooling as well as offering new ideas for experienced homeschoolers. Parents who do not homeschool will also find useful tips to supplement their children's education.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Do yourself a favor and buy this book. The title is a misnomer. This isn't another book about "how to homeschool." This is a book filled with the wisdom of a mother who has children's best interests for education, growth and development at heart. I think it may well be the best book on parenting I have ever read. I guess I shouldn't be surprised since homeschooling and parenting are inextricably entwined. ...

The segment on developing limit-setting skills ought to be required reading for every parent -- homeschooling or not. It is sensitively written, explaining why kids need limits, and how to provide them in a secure and loving way.

The sage and lighthearted advice [this book offers] for homeschool[ing] mothers makes this book a gem. Every homeschool[ing] family's bookshelf should contain a copy for frequent reference and inspiration. -- Diane Flynn Keith, Jan. 2000 Homefires ~ The Journal of Homeschooling, [e-mail]

In 1974, a radical book was published which raised eyebrows and expectations: Deschooling Society by Ivan Illich. Illich argued that the institution of school was the problem not the solution, and that schools should be replaced with educational webs which would "heighten the opportunity for each one to transform each moment of his living into one of learning, sharing, and caring."

The real value of homeschooling is lovingly explained in Marty Layne's book...

Learning At Home will help you to decide if home schooling is right for you; it will guide you about how to do it successfully; and it will give you ideas for activities to share with kids, after school, which are far more educating and nourishing than tv and computer games. -- Pastore's Bookshelf

It's a great book! -- Barb, Library Director, Sherard Public Library, Sherard, IL

Marty Layne has written an excellent addition to my favorite homeschooling genre the parent-written guide based on successful experience. Layne outlines a relaxed approach to facilitating the learning of children in a home environment, basing her guide on a combination of her own experiences, observations of her own children and others, and her wide and eclectic reading on children, learning, psychology and other related topics.

I am almost sorry that the word homeschooling is in the title of the book, as I think Layne's sensible and sensitive approach to developing relationships with children could be extremely helpful to all parents interested in the total development of their children and their family relationships, regardless of their educational choices. -- Kelly Green, Aug. 1998 past Secretary, Ontario Federation of Teaching Parents, Editor of Canadian Book Review

The real value of homeschooling is lovingly explained in Marty Layne's book, Learning At Home: A Mother's Guide To Homeschooling. Layne is a mother of four children (ages 13 to 22), none of whom have ever attended school. Her book is partly an autobiography of an alternative lifestyle, partly an educational philosophy focusing on respecting each child's uniqueness, and partly a how-to guide ...

There's a great compassion in these pages, from a mother who loves her children and understands how to express this love. And huge chunks of that indefinable quality called wisdom -- in addition to her own twenty-years experience, the author has read (and listed in her bibliography) dozens of top-notch books about children, education, child management.

Learning At Home will help you to decide if home schooling is right for you; it will guide you about how to do it successfully... -- Pastore's Boookshelf, July 1999

There are lots of books about people's homeschooling experiences, but there's an extra sense of wisdom in this book. The careful thought that went into laying out Learning At Home is obvious and impressive... It's one of those books that got me to wishing I'd had it when I was a new parent. ...

I loved the way she was willing to be candid about her own mistakes and discoveries along the way. ... This is no lightweight book - it probes and challenges the reader to think beyond the norm. ...

This book is quite special because the [author] happens to be a deep thinker who airs and examines a lot of things that others might leave undisturbed. -- Lillian Jones, Nov./Dec 1999 Home Education Magazine

From the Publisher

One of the best books on homeschooling in print because it's written by an experienced, pioneering, homeschooling mother. Her examples and suggestion are clear and easy to understand and made personal with anecdotes from her experience. The book is illustrated with five photographs of the author's children when they were young.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Sea Change Pubns (March 1998)
• ISBN-10: 0968293808
• ISBN-13: 978-0968293805
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,312,038 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Like talking to your wise, experienced HSing best friend, November 25, 2000

By 

christinemm - The Thinking Mother (Houston Texas USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Learning At Home : A Mother's Guide To Homeschooling, Revised Edition (Paperback)

A down to earth homeschooling mother shares her insights and experiences about her four never-schooled children. This book is written in a colloquial manner and reads as if the author were your best friend and you were having a conversation while sipping tea. The difference between this book and all the other homeshooling books I've read is that the author shares her personal experiences including flaws and stumbling blocks. I left the book feeling that one does not have to be a perfect person to homeschool her children effectively and that it is OK to make mistakes so long as you learn from them. Layne gives 20/20 hindsight and states what she would have done if she had known better at the time. Very interesting to see how she taught her children to read, and teach math, and how each personality was different and how she had to be flexible to the childrens different learning styles. Her list of personality traits and beliefs that one must have to be able to homeschool are wonderful. She discusses discipline and addresses effective communication methods to use with children. Of course, socialization is covered. Layne also discusses various books and materials that she has used and which she liked and which she didn't like. Layne even recommends certain toys that she feels offer educational or developmental benefits. A summary of board games and her critique is also helpful. Another not-so-commonly discussed chapter addresses preventing parental burn-out. A short chapter addressing college education ends the book. The publisher is a small company and there are a few typos here and there, and the margins are tiny (no room for note writing by the reader), but it is such a refreshing book because it is like hearing a friend speak instead of having the tone of a cold-unhuman voice.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Joy in learning, growth and discovery is success!, April 15, 2001

By 

Susan (Beaverton, Oregon, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Learning At Home : A Mother's Guide To Homeschooling, Revised Edition (Paperback)

I enjoyed this book so much that, after reading a borrowed copy, I HAD to buy it for myself. I NEEDED my own copy so I could return again and again to the author's wise council. I foresee using this book often in my family's homeschooling journey. Why? Because of the confidence the author imparts based on her own experiences - both successful and maybe not so successful. I gain a confidence that I can succeed in assisting my children in their intellectual growth and, even more importantly, help them retain their curiousity and joy in learning.

Many of the home education books I read make me feel somehow not up to par if my children are not excelling in all areas. Ms Layne reminds me that excelling is not just academic sucess. Real success is a joy in learning, growing and discovering. She encourages me to enjoy my children for who they are and what they bring to the world.

With all this encouragement come particulars - great bibliographies, wonderful ideas, doable experiences. In other words this book is not just theory but practical as well.

I encourage all potential and current homeschoolers to add "Learning at Home" to their library and to utilize it often.

20 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfully inspiring, compassionate guide for any mother., November 20, 1999

By 

Teresa R Carter ([e-mail]) (Cincinnati, OH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Learning At Home: A Mother's Guide To Homeschooling (Paperback)

I wish Marty Layne was my neighbor! How nice to have someone there to hold your hand, make a cup of tea and share tried and true advise. Marty seems to be a real person, someone you can relate to without being intimidated by her perfection! Her book is easy to read, hard to put down and indespensible. I have referred back to the chapters time after time for encouragement and reassurance and have never come away disppointed. This book is a must have for any mother, homeschooling or not!