Now that I’ve been homeschooling for a few years, I am often asked for recommendations to assist new homeschoolers in getting started. Seven years ago, when we first talked about homeschooling Ben, I was blessed to have happened upon the 2nd edition of what has become THE resource I have recommended to new homeschoolers (and a few veterans in need of extra encouragement). This book is now in it’s 3rd edition and I jut had to have it!
Educating the WholeHearted Child, written by Clay and Sally Clarkson, is nearly 400 pages, about 100 pages bigger than my dog-eared, highlighted, often borrowed copy of the 2nd edition. This extensively revised third edition will help you build a solid biblical foundation for educating and nurturing your children’s hearts, minds, and souls. The book is divided into 4 sections (Home, Methods, Learning, and Living), sudivided into 18 chapters.
From the website:
God did not forget to include “school” in his biblical design for raising children–home education is a natural expression of all that God intended for parents and their children. Clay and Sally Clarkson’s Educating the WholeHearted Child is about rediscovering God’s original design for the family. What you’ll find in this book is a homeschooling model that makes sense. It’s an approach that is based on sound biblical principles of nurture, discipleship, instruction, and learning. Newly revised and significantly expanded, Educating the WholeHearted Child is about much more than homeschooling; it is about life. Effective Christian homeschooling must begin with the sure foundation of a Christian home, and the Clarksons’ uncomplicated, common-sense approach to life and learning will provide you with the tools you need to experience God’s abundant blessings for your family.
From recommendations for getting started homeschooling to Biblical parenting and discipleship to discovering the learning styles of your students (and everything in between), the Clarksons’ have covered it all and then some. Whether you are considering homeschooling, new to homeschooling, or have been homeschooling for years, you will find encouragement, inspiration, and a plethera of information in this “handbook for Christian home education”.
The Clarksons have whole-heartedly educated 4 children, who are now grown and serving God. They must be on to something.
