School Starts at Home: Simple Ways to Make Learning Fun

by Cheri Fuller

Whether you work in the home or outside it, this insightful guide will equip parents to provide a stimulating learning environment.

Help your

• Become more creative
• Develop good study habits
• Improve reading, writing, and math skills
• Realize the joy in learning

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction

159 pages, Paperback

First published June 11, 2004

About the author

Cheri Fuller is a gifted speaker and award-winning author of more than forty books, including The One Year Women’s Friendship Devotional, the bestselling When Mothers Pray, and A Busy Woman’s Guide to Prayer. Her books have been translated into many languages, and her speaking ministry has provided encouragement to people throughout the U.S. and abroad. A former Oklahoma Mother of the Year, Cheri has been a frequent guest on national TV and radio programs. Her articles on family, spiritual growth, relationships, and prayer have appeared in Family Circle, Focus on the Family, Guideposts, and many other publications. Cheri holds a master’s degree in English literature and is executive director of the nonprofit organization Redeeming the Family. She and her husband, Holmes, live in Oklahoma, and have three grown children and six wonderful grandchildren. Cheri’s books, Bible studies, and other resources can be found at www.cherifuller.com along with information on her speaking topics and how to schedule Cheri for events. To find out more about the ministry, visit www.redeemingthefamily.org.

Reviews

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book presents quick and (mostly) easy ways for parents to work with their children -preschool on up- to promote learning. The chapters are divided by skill including reading, writing, music and more. Overall I enjoyed the book and gleaned some useful tips to use with my own son. However, I initially read the book in preparation for a workshop with the pregnant and parenting teens group at my library. There are some things in this book that make me hesitant to recommend it. For instance one entire chapter is devoted to developing a 'stable home environment'. While I realize this is important, I wonder if another book might be a more tactful option for young parents who likely aren't in a 'stable' situation. I also took issue with a few phrases- like encouraging your child to listen to 'good music' and 'pray for your child's teachers'. Mostly because they don't reflect my life (I happen to think the music I like is 'good' even if someone else doesn't!). Overall this is a great book and for many people would be a wonderful reference. I'm only giving it a 4 because I’m afraid the examples I mention (and others like them) may limit the audience for this book.

[Brandee · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was ok...most of it are things that a good parent should already know and be doing, I feel. To me, the most helpful parts were about study aids and homework. It is a cheerful little book, I will give it that. And while I really agree with all of it and have tried to implement most of these techniques as a mom, I believe it is unrealistic in some ways...Fuller does not say what to do if your kids won't cheerfully go along with whatever project you have lovingly set up for them, or how to handle a husband who thinks the idea of a family game night or educational "field trip" is a hopeless bore and thus suggests a Netflix movie night or a trip to the arcade instead of the museum, kids squealing with delight. Sigh. Yes, school starts at home, I agree 100%. It is easier to do this stuff when your kids are little and pre-tween angst and when you are either alone or with like-minded adult caregivers. But the book does give my ideas validation and cheers me on in my sometimes discouraging efforts to keep my kids on track with wholesome activities that aid their educations and buffer out the vast expanse of distractions and yucky stuff. So for that it is good, but honestly, this book is so fluffy and basic that I doubt the type of parent who didn't know this information would be the type to go looking for a book like this, ya know? Nothing special here.

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast read.Probably much more helpful for parents with kids in public/private school. Some mention of homeschool at the beginning, but not a focus for the duration. What I'll take from this book - Just some simple tips like incorporating writing into the kids lives (in their pretend play) a little more and another push for getting the kids started soon in music lesson. Also, realized I am too critical and need to be more encouraging with kids wrongly spelled words, etc. Another thing - make time to help the kids be organized. Motto taught in the book - "Work before play".

[Tanya · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a very fast read and aimed more at the younger elementary set or preschoolers. Still, it had some useful information as reminders, though most is common sense and preaching to the choir. The people who are going to pick up this book have probably already been utilizing many of the suggestions and techniques, so it will be more of a reinforcement that the parent is doing a good job.

[Alyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book reinforced everything I believe about schooling. Parental involvement is crucial to the education of a child. I got some great ideas on how to make "preschooling" with my 3 year old more effective and fun.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had some very simple and practical ways to supplement your child's education. It was short, sweet and to the point.

[Kaitlyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book and thought it had some helpful ideas.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick easy read full of helpful ideas.