KIRKUS REVIEW
How to ensure the best education possible for school-age children.
Educational reform expert Robinson (Emeritus, Arts Education/Univ. of Warwick) and Aronica team up again (Creative Schools: The Grassroots Revolution that’s Transforming Education, 2016, etc.) to provide common-sense advice and helpful tactics, based on research and interviews with parents and educators, that will guide parents in the process of making the right educational choices for their children. The authors begin by outlining what options currently exist, including public schools, charter schools, home-schooling, and online learning, and they discuss how parents can become more involved via more frequent interactions with teachers, working on the school board, etc. The authors strongly advise parents to know their child’s learning methods and interests prior to assessing any type of school scenario, stressing the importance of this topic in finding the optimum environment for learning. Some things to look for in schools include the type of curriculum taught, whether educators adapt their teaching styles to accommodate differences in learning styles, and the prevalence of practical work as well as desk time. By answering these and many more questions, parents can evaluate the options intelligently and maintain their child’s interest in learning. The book also addresses the many difficulties children face in school—among others, stress, bullying, excessive homework, and being prescribed medications that might not be necessary. The authors delve into alternative learning scenarios such as art and dance programs, which have helped pull children and young adults back from the brink of rage and despair. Well-rounded explorations of the many learning methods currently in use will help parents tone down their own anxiety, exasperation, and worries over schooling, and this will enable them to make the best choices for their child, providing a far more enjoyable and productive learning experience for all.
A useful gathering of solid assessments of young children and the educational systems available to them.
