“If we want to live in a more peaceful, democratic and humane world we need to re-think our child rearing practices–this book provides the groundwork and inspiration for this type of revolution. If you love children and humanity this book is a must read.”
~Carlo Ricci, Ph.D
editor, The Journal of Unschooling and Alternative Learning
Professor of Education, Graduate Studies
“Laura Weldon draws on the experiences of diverse homeschoolers and her own insightful observations to show why learning rooted in the family and community makes so much sense. She demonstrates that when young people are allowed to learn freely and naturally, they gain extraordinary competence, self-confidence, maturity and wisdom. Free Range Learning will encourage anyone considering homeschooling, and will explain to anyone else why so many families are making this choice.”
~Ron Miller, Ph.D
editor, Education Revolution Magazine
“My heart began to sing after reading the first paragraph of this book. I became thrilled and hopeful as I kept reading. Thrilled that the author so beautifully captures the essence of how children learn and hopeful that more parents will have the opportunity to understand and respect how exciting learning can be for children.
This book should be read by every parent, teacher, and school administrator as the beginning of education reform that includes respect for the learning process of every child.
Therapists might be out of a job if every child could experience an environment where different strengths are understood and respected and failure is never an issue. Homeschooling parents who have any doubts will be filled with confidence and encouragement.
This book is about much more than homeschooling. It incorporates beautiful philosophies such as slowing down, kindness, empathy, cooperation, the dangers of materialism, creating a heart-centered lifestyle, and much more. It is also filled with valuable resources for homeschooling parents. It is a beautiful read.”
co-author of Positive Discipline in the Classroom
and Raising Self-Reliant Children in a Self-Indulgent World
“A book of many voices. A swelling chorus of the real life experiences of parents and children, buttressed with science, that powers a fresh, but ancient, way of looking at how children learn.
Laura Weldon shares her view of the rich experiences of children learning in a free range setting.
A resource for parents; an inspiration for all of us.”
author of Original Wisdom: Stories of an Ancient Way of Knowing
“It has always been so simple and Laura Weldon keeps it that way. Plus the emerging new paradigm in child development confirms it: organic experience and children themselves are their own best teachers. I can’t imagine why anyone would consider sending their kids to school after reading such a well-researched and convincing book.”
author of In Defense of Childhood: Protecting Kids’ Inner Wildness
and Teaching the Restless: One School’s Remarkable No-Ritalin Approach to Helping Children Learn and Succeed.
“Children love to learn – and they’re good at it. That’s not a new idea, but it’s a critically important concept which has been stifled and twisted and denied for far too long. Thankfully, it’s also a frequent thread and the binding glue of Laura Weldon’s wonderfully affirming book, Free Range Learning. Through homeschooling her children and working as an effective homeschool advocate for many years, Laura Weldon developed an understanding of, and an appreciation for, an elementary wisdom which our society forgot somewhere along the way: Children can be trusted to learn. In this book, she joyfully shares that wisdom.”
publisher, Home Education Magazine
“Free Range Learning offers a wide-reaching resource for any parent who cares about augmenting their child’s learning – whether home-schooling or not.”
~Homa Sabet Tavangar
author of Growing Up Global
“Laura Grace Weldon’s book Free Range Learning is a detailed description of just about every aspect of home education… This is the book I’d give to someone with more than a passing interest in homeschooling. It should be compulsory reading for young student teachers as it provides a balanced view of what parents can – and do – bring to the education of their children. At the same time, this book is an invaluable aid to homeschooling parents, offering an in depth examination of the practice of home education. Parents-to-be would also benefit from reading this book, as education begins at birth (if not before!) This is truly a book for anyone interested in the education of children.
Laura Grace Weldon’s Free Range Learning isn’t a quick read or lightweight look at the practice of home education: it is a thorough and honest look at what really happens when we take children out of school and educate them in the home and community.”
author of Getting Started with Homeschooling
editor, Home Education Association publications (Australia)