Sage Parenting offers a revolutionary path for gentle parents who have stepped off the beaten path of disconnection and dysfunction and want to step into heart-full connection. Do you want to learn how to guide and support your child instead of control and corrupt as you walk this journey together? In this book you will learn how to grow through the seasons of parenting, as a mother, baby, toddler, then child bloom with: Intention/Consciousness Respect Authenticity/Nature Compassion/Empathy Connection/Attachment Love You can put down this book inspired and empowered with the insight you need to grow into a fulfilling relationship and life that honors your natural child and brings your family peace and joy. If you want to confidently connect with your adorably exasperating little one, then read this book! Rachel Rainbolt is an insightful, nurturing, genuine, and badass parenting sage who writes in the voice of a mother with a loving touch and sense of humor that come together with a solid, informed foundation from her vast and specialized educational and professional experience. Book 1 of 4 in the Sage Parenting Series. "I highly recommend this book for any mother. I enjoyed reading it and look forward to emptying my shelves of those other books and bringing this book with me on the journey of motherhood." Abby Theuring, MSW, The Badass Breastfeeder "Rachel Rainbolt is a good writer! I really enjoy what she has to say and how she says it. Her authenticity comes through and her style is easy to read, accessible, and still intellectual - to feed that geeky part of my brain. The best part is that it is really full of love - the kind that inspires hope that 'I can do this!' and encourages me to try." Elisa Kisselburg-Pheodovius, mother to 2-year-old William

Sage Homeschooling: Wild and Free offers a natural learning path, for gentle parents who dream of living fully in joy and connection with their children while giving them all they need to be successful, with eight secrets to living a fulfilling unschooling life. In this inspirational and secular guide, you will learn how to: deschool, shaking off all the educational programming that weighs you down maintain your relationship focus on connection beyond the early years trust in your children and their natural learning journey embrace the freedom that fosters meaningful productivity and independence utilize collaboration in respectful partnership to achieve self-directed growth fully realize the environment as a valuable tool for playful learning live a fun lifestyle of learning through rich, adventurous experiences set your compass for growth and success in all the ways that matter most If you are ready to take the leap into a lifestyle of passionate learning with clarity and confidence, then read this book! "Our job as parents is not to educate our children but to provide environmental contexts that optimize their ability to educate themselves. In this upbeat, fun-to-read book about her family's unschooling practices, Rachel Rainbolt provides a multitude of great ideas about how to do just that." Peter Gray, Research Professor of Psychology at Boston College and author of Free to Learn.

Despite its expansion in recent years to two million students, homeschooling is the least understood component of American education. Preeminent educational scholar Joseph Murphy offers a revealing look at today's homeschooling movement. Policy makers, researchers, educators and homeschooling organizations will find answers to compelling Questions, including

Education has become synonymous with schooling, but it doesn't have to be. As schooling becomes increasingly standardized and test driven, occupying more of childhood than ever before, parents and educators are questioning the role of schooling in society. Many are now exploring and creating alternatives. In a compelling narrative that introduces historical and contemporary research on self-directed education, Unschooled also spotlights how a diverse group of individuals and organizations are evolving an old schooling model of education. These innovators challenge the myth that children need to be taught in order to learn. They are parents who saw firsthand how schooling can dull children's natural curiosity and exuberance and others who decided early on to enable their children to learn without school. Educators who left public school classrooms discuss launching self-directed learning centers to allow young people's innate learning instincts to flourish, and entrepreneurs explore their disillusionment with the teach-and-test approach of traditional schooling.

From the trailblazing founder of Green Babies organic clothing comes the very first guide for new mothers in raising a "green" family-and doing it simply and inexpensively. Filled with necessary and convenient advice that takes the reader from the first months of pregnancy and beyond, this indispensable book explains: - The safest ways to get the house ready for the baby - The best baby gear-from clothes to crib mattresses - Organic recipes for health-conscious breastfeeding moms - How to throw a green baby shower - The best solutions for storing breast milk safely - How to keep play areas safe from chemicals - How to handle the diaper dilemma: wash vs. toss - And much more!

Education is an important aspect of the environmental influences on autism and effective education can have a significant effect on outcome for those on the autism spectrum. This handbook is a definitive resource for reflective practitioners and researchers who wish to know and understand current views of the nature of autism and best practice in educational support. It explores the key concepts, debates and research areas in the field.

Home, School, and Community Collaboration uses the culturally responsive family support model as a framework to prepare teachers to work effectively with children from diverse families. Authors Kathy B. Grant and Julie A. Ray skillfully incorporate numerous real-life vignettes and case studies to show readers the practical application of culturally responsive family engagement. The Fourth Edition contains additional content that enhances the already relevant text, including: a new section titled “Perspectives on Poverty” acknowledging the deep levels of poverty in the United States and the impact on family-school relations; increased coverage of Latino/Latina family connections; and updated demographics focusing on the issues impacting same-sex families, families experiencing divorce, children and family members with chronic illnesses, military families, and grandparents raising children. With contributions from more than 22 experts in the field offering a wide range of perspectives, this book will help readers understand, appreciate, and support diverse families.