You, Your Child, and School

January 1, 2018

Robinson, a highly respected author and lecturer who has tackled many elements of education reform, now directs his attention to parents and other caregivers. It is clear that adults play significant roles in how their children are educated, and Robinson uses this work, coauthored with Aronica, to encourage adults to be active and critical participants. Throughout, Robinson offers sound advice on what counts as a good education and provides practical ways to help make sure any child gets one. The focus on understanding who each child is as an individual and helping them to find their own spark of genius is an empowering stance for parents to embrace. Discussions include outlines of adult expectations and children's needs given in a conversational, approachable tone. While Robinson's biases toward creative schools and whole-child programs are evident, he offers an honest view of all the options available, giving adults the tools and insights they need to find schooling that is the best fit for each individual child. VERDICT For adults who are looking for ways to use schooling to help their children achieve happy, constructive lives.--Rachel Wadham, Brigham Young Univ. Libs., Provo, UT

Copyright 2018 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2018
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.

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March 1, 2018

Robinson, a highly respected author and lecturer who has tackled many elements of education reform, now directs his attention to parents and other caregivers. It is clear that adults play significant roles in how their children are educated, and Robinson uses this work, coauthored with Aronica, to encourage adults to be active and critical participants. Throughout, Robinson offers sound advice on what counts as a good education and provides practical ways to help make sure any child gets one. The focus on understanding who each child is as an individual and helping them find their own spark of genius is an empowering stance for parents to embrace. Discussions include outlines of adult expectations and children's needs given in a conversational, approachable tone. While Robinson's biases toward creative schools and whole-child programs are evident, he offers an honest view of all the options available, giving adults the tools and insight they need to find schooling that is the best fit for each individual child. VERDICT For adults who are looking for ways to use schooling to help their children achieve happy, constructive lives.-Rachel Wadham, Brigham Young University Libraries, Provo, UT

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 19, 2018
Education advocate Robinson and Aronica, authors of Creative Schools, lay out a familiar but solid plan for parents to become more aware of and active in their children’s education. The authors’ aim is to foster an educational environment where kids will enjoy and feel fulfilled by learning. They believe that a preoccupation with science, technology, engineering, and math in modern education has resulted in too little attention to the arts and humanities, and that standardized testing and an unhealthy level of competition have been demoralizing to students and teachers alike. However, they reassure readers that “as a parent you have more power than you know” to affect a child’s education for the better. Robinson and Aronica show parents how to choose the right schools and support individual learning styles. Especially useful are their descriptions of different educational philosophies and kinds of schools, and the suggestions and techniques for engaging with teachers and administrators. Parents will receive a helpful reminder here that the purpose of education is to help children “become fulfilled individuals and active, compassionate citizens,” and that parental involvement can make this happen. Agent: Peter Miller, Global Lion.