The Heart of Learning

by Lawrence Williams

The Heart of Learning provides heart-centered guidance and essential information for teaching young children and for creating a nurturing and effective learning environment. This educational classic has informed homeschooling families for four decades, and continues to provide the foundation of Oak Meadow's K-3 curriculum. Written by Lawrence Williams, Oak Meadow's co-founder and a pioneer in homeschooling and distance learning, The Heart of Learning has been updated to reflect modern concerns. Our 40th Anniversary Edition includes expanded sections on sustainable homeschooling, mindful parenting, technology, boredom and entertainment, nature-based learning, and more. It has also been redesigned into a more user-friendly format to allow relevant sections to be located quickly and easily. With its unique focus on helping the parent/teacher develop strong inner resources, The Heart of Learning is highly recommended for every adult who guides and shapes the lives of children.

Genres: Education, Nonfiction, Parenting

172 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Jasmin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book goes along with the Oak Meadow homeschooling curriculum, but really it could stand on it's own as an excellent parenting took. It is full of brilliant ideas and insights on how to not only raise your children to reach their full potential but also how to be a better person yourself; to be the person you hope your children will be like. There is a lot of discussion about how to be mindful, how to be present, and how to connect/reconnect with nature and communities. In a world where it is so easy to get lost in a whirlwind of technology and disconnection...this book helps to remember the small things that are the most important things of all. The things that ground us. Live, love, learn...be happy.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book and gained some new insights about child development. I think I will probably be reading it again as I continue my homeschooling journey with my younger boys.

[Andrea Balfour · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book isn't my style. When I read about how waldorf learning style is taking days to teach the number one through art, music, folk tales, rhythm and movement, it shot this one down. 1. It dumbs down the kids' ability to learn 2. I don't have the patience. It's a very soft approach and I'm not soft. I imagine it is a good book for some, but I'm not in the same league. Maybe if I was reading this before/soon a felted my first child, it would have been endearing. Now after 4 children and my 6th year of homeschooling, it isn't for me.

[Jennifer Enriquez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good to read while homeschooling for our first year! I would recommend to those just starting out.

[Alaina Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

With already so many bookmarks, dog ears and pencil marks, this book will be close at hand over the next few years of our homeschooling journey. There are a few key chapters, especially, that need to be re-read and re-re-read.

[Rawda · Rating 5 out of 5]

مهم لاي ام تقوم بتعليم منزلي مستعينه بسيتسه والدورف

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a gem! It’s supposed to be guidance for those planning to teach children at home, but it is so much more. Highly recommend to all parents and teachers of children.

[Egle Gv · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s worth reading to get a different angle of perspective about the children’s learning stages.

[Renee Bowlay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really appreciated the ideas presented in the chapters on expansion and contraction and moving beyond the dualities as they relate to homeschooling, parenting, and living.