Joe:
Welcome again to our "Meet the Author Series" and our guest, Linda Dobson. This is her second interview with us (see interview 1). She is the author of The Art of Education and The Homeschooling Book of Answers and now she has a new book, Homeschooling: The Early Years. She is one of America's best known homeschooling writers and speakers. She began homeschooling in 1985 and has been Homeschooling Magazine news editor and columnist since 1992. Thank you Linda for appearing here and I hope you enjoy your cyber-stay here. Thanks again for providing us with a FREE excerpt of your book.

Joe:
Linda, you mentioned in your book, that your information came from sixty-six homeschooling parents who provided information on eight variables. Were there any unexpected or new insights that you gleaned from this analysis?

Linda:
Results were unexpected only in that I didn't know what kind of can of worms I'd opened until I got done with the (exhausting!) math involved in sorting out answers. I tossed out the variables (referred to as "the amazing homeschool continuum" in the book) regarding where folks fell on a "structured to unstructured" continuum when they began homeschooling, and then where they feel they are now. What would be revealed - at that starting point - was anybody's guess. The amazing homeschool continuum didn't so much provide new insights but instead confirmed a long-held suspicion:

Homeschooling is the most flexible educational approach on earth
and those experiencing success and satisfaction with homeschooling take advantage of that flexibility to make sure it fits the children, the family, the budget, the philosophy, the lifestyle.

I've always felt flexibility was a secret to homeschooling's success; I just lacked a way to show it concretely so that these extremely subjective measure's of flexibility could be portrayed. It's hardly scientific research, but I hope the continuum goes a long way to explain this to those who haven't experienced homeschooling so they can better understand it, whether it's new homeschooling families, reporters, legislators or policy analysts. It's time homeschooling's benefits (and their reasons) are understood so that as many children and families as possible can experience them!

Joe:
Many of our members worry that their kids will not do as well, because they feel they are not prepared to teach as well as a "professional" teacher. What is the experience of homeschooled kids as compared to their traditionally-schooled counterparts in terms of objective criteria that colleges and other schools will accept?

See Linda's answer
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Homeschooling: The Middle Years:
Your Complete Guide to Successfully Homeschooling the 8- To 12-Year Old Child
by Shari Henry
Interview & FREE Excerpt

Parents and educators often view a child's middle years as the 'magical' years--when innate talents and abilities really begin to flourish. They have reached the stage where they understand the fundamentals of most subjects and are still excited to learn more. Homeschooling: The Middle Years helps parents make the most of their children's crucial middle years by providing exciting ideas and activities that cultivate each child's individual interests.

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Jill Dunford
author of: "Teach Me Mommy"
hosted by Sue Spataro
interview & FREE excerpt

Teach Me Mommy is a step by step themed book that gives parents lessons that will teach their preschoolers in a fun and relaxed way.  The book is simple to use and includes crafts, book recommends and topics to cover that are perfect for the preschooler. In the interview with author Jill Dunford, she describes how to set up your own nursery school complete with activities along with a FREE excerpt to help you see how this is done.

Interview & FREE Excerpt

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