The Unprocessed Child: Living Without School
The Unprocessed Child is a work of nonfiction about a child raised with no coercion and no curriculum. Laurie Chancey spent her childhood immersing herself in topics of her own choosing. She was never forced to learn something simply because tradition and/or society said it was necessary. No one was looking over her shoulder to make sure she was learning the “proper” subjects.
Having never seen a textbook or taken a test, never used workbooks or any type of teaching techniques, Laurie scored in the top 10% of the state of Louisiana on her college entrance exam. She enrolled in college when she was eighteen, and graduated summa cum laude three and a half years later. Laurie is a bright adult, but her IQ is not why she did so well. She spent her life learning to learn and it’s something that now comes easily to her.
The Unprocessed Child was written by her mother Valerie Fitzenreiter, and is full of examples of raising a child with respect and dignity. It is the first book written about a radically unschooled child who has now reached adulthood and is a responsible member of society.
Questions about the radical unschooling lifestyle are answered on topics ranging from socialization, parental responsibility, self-discipline, chores, bedtimes and much more. The book shows that it is not only possible to befriend your child, but that it is highly preferable to the struggles that so many parents go through with their children. It proves that school is not necessary for learning, socializing or motivation.
3.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting, yet preachy
This was the first “unschooling” book I have read and the beginning had me hooked. I think the author has some very interesting things to say about a child’s ability to…
1.0 out of 5 stars
The only book I have ever thrown in the trash
We are an AP family, homeschoolers, with a definite leaning toward unschooling. I expected to love this book, and yet it ended up going in the trash because I couldn’t even bear…
5.0 out of 5 stars
a good read not a handbook
This is not a how to book or a resource book it is about one woman raising her daughter. Although some parts are a little more hard core then i am going to do with my own children…
3.0 out of 5 stars
way far left
I do not agree with her method. As a look into her slice of life it is very interesting. I do not agree that a child should decide when they want to learn to read.
5.0 out of 5 stars
A beautiful testament to what we can achieve when we open our hearts and trust our children.
In the Summer of 2006 a radical unschool mom lent me a book called The Unprocessed Child by Valerie Fitzenreiter.
1.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointing and hypocritical
I am an ultra AP/unschooling mom, and I expected this book to further cement my decision to unschool.
5.0 out of 5 stars
An inspiring memoir
a very interesting account of one womans dedication to finding an alternative to educate her child -
Anyone interested in pursuing alternative education should really read…
5.0 out of 5 stars
Honest, introspective and informative.
The book is easy to read, informative and gives the reader of good idea of how unschooling works. I would read again and would pass on to others.
2.0 out of 5 stars
Not what I’d hoped
We have been “unschooling” since birth- not radically, but very child led. I was disappointed in the broad generalizations made by this author seemingly based on her expierience…
4.0 out of 5 stars
What an insightful book for a parent to read – “Unprocessing”, Unschooling or not!
WOW! Where do I begin? I loved this book! Not because I agreed with everything written in it but just because it was written.
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