Product Description

Holt's emphasis on solutions distinguishes this book from others that are critical of our failing educational system. The book is packed with ideas about and examples of creating learning opportunities and environments outside the established educational structure. Holt's ideas are as fresh and relevant as they ever were -- in fact, more so now, as our educational system has only grown worse in the years since this book was written. He firmly believes in learning by doing, and makes the point that schools stifle children's creativity and individuality. He describes actual non-compulsory schools, learning centres, and informal learning arrangements in action. Reading this brilliant educator revolutionises our thinking about what schooling is for and what we can do to accomplish its true goals.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #145910 in Books
• Published on: 2004-03-03
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 250 pages

Customer Reviews

Radical stuff... but ultimately depressing.
A huge fan of John Holt's "How Children Learn" and "Never Too Late" I bought this, described by some as his most radical work yet. And it is radical. At points it feels a little like "pie in the sky" though; I'm sure the society he paints could work, but no government would be willing to even try.

And what if you can't home school for whatever reason (partner just won't even consider it, can't afford it etc.)? There is a very small part of his book dedicated to how to ensure a child learns even though they go to school, but I would have liked to read much more on this.

In the end, although I found myself nodding to almost everything he said, it just made me feel depressed. And you will read it, written over twenty years ago, and feel it is totally relevant to what's happening today.

Having said all that though, I still would recommend it to anyone and everyone.