Review: How to Homeschool The Kids You Have

Title: How To Homeschool The Kids You Have 

Published: December 9, 2022

Publisher: John Catt Educational Limited

Authors: Courtney Ostaff, Jenn Naughton, Andrew Campbell 

What’s In The Book? 

In How to Homeschool the Kids You Have, Courtney Ostaff, Jenn Naughton, and Andrew Campbell, three veteran homeschool parents, offer a well-researched introduction to home education. They focus on equipping parents to meet the needs of their unique children. In addition, they present a fascinating mini-lesson about the latest learning science research. 

To start, the book provides a concise review of the nitty-gritty of home education. They walk parents through everything from setting educational goals to how to choose great curricula. Here at the press, we enjoyed the shout-outs to our curricula, like First Language Lessons, and The Story of the World! 

In the next section, the authors continue with a primer on the science of learning. They give an impressive summary of up-to-date research in cognitive science. Next, they connect research to how homeschool parents can design educational experiences for their unique children. The subsequent chapters review each major school subject and present common arguments on different teaching strategies. The authors share their conclusions, based on experience and research. Moreover, they also invite parents to review the information for themselves and make their own decisions. 

The final section of the book comprises a series of informal chats from the “kitchen tables” of homeschool veterans. The authors cover a range of topics, from scheduling to what to do if you suspect your student is neurodivergent. Their advice is practical, encouraging, and up-to-date.

How to Homeschool the Kids You Have is a fantastic addition for the shelves of new and veteran homeschoolers alike. The authors’ years of experience shine through in an easy-to-read handbook that I will keep close for years to come. 

You can purchase the book here or read the blurb for the book below:

In “How to Homeschool the Kids You Have”, three veteran home educators lead you through the process of creating a custom educational plan that works for your family’s unique situation and your children’s needs. You’ll identify your own educational priorities and learn how to translate them into a strong academic program. You’ll also learn about what science tells us about how humans- especially young humans-learn, and why that information is crucial for the success of your homeschooling plans. Along the way, the authors share their own experiences and those of other homeschoolers to help you avoid pitfalls so you can provide your children with the excellent education that is their birthright.