The Brainy Bunch

April 7, 2014
Motivated by their Christian faith and dissatisfaction with the lack of personal attention children receive in the classroom, plus being a military family who moved frequently, the Hardings chose to homeschool their children—all 10 of them. Starting with early reading, writing, and math workbooks from Christian homeschooling enterprises and tutorials from Mom in Spanish, social studies, read-aloud literature, and Bible study, the Hardings then added music lessons, individual reading, and AYSO soccer to a year-round curriculum later enhanced with online university offerings, Internet courses, and, eventually, classes at local community, state, and private Christian colleges. Dedicated to teaching their kids “to love Jesus first and others second,” the Hardings believe accruing knowledge and faith is better facilitated at home until kids reach a level where college classes are appropriate. Their program is heavy on practicality and light on intellectual rigor, but the work ethic and family bonding are impressive, as are the children’s career successes: an engineer, an architect, the youngest female surgeon in the Navy; an entrepreneur, a musician and a historian still in college; and little ones just learning to read. The book includes the Harding children’s essay about why they preferred and appreciated homeschooling, as well as suggested resources and basic reading lists. Eight-page photo insert. Agent: Steve Troha, Folio Literary Management.

April 15, 2014
How a group of children attended college at an early age. The Hardings claim that their 10 children are not special or brilliant or geniuses in any way. And yet, six of them were in college by the age of 12. The couple outline their methods for achieving this success in a straightforward, practical guide that takes an anyone-can-do-this approach. Their strong faith in God is the foundation for their achievements, they believe; another pillar is their deep love for their children and for each other. The Hardings turned away from public schools, where they contend too much time is wasted doing unproductive things like standing in line and children work at a pace set by the teacher, not the student. They wanted to gear the studies toward what interested their children, not what was deemed appropriate to learn at specific age levels. They also wanted to incorporate prayer and Bible studies into their curriculum. Through home schooling, the Hardings were able to attain these goals and much more, as evidenced by the success of their children. The kids, whose essays are included here, had a voice in their education, branching out and diving deeply into topics that interested them, limiting time spent on those subjects that did not. The Hardings outline what worked for them, answer potential questions people contemplating this route might encounter, give readers an idea of a typical daily schedule, suggest ways to incorporate math, science, history and art into a routine, and include an extensive section on resources for further information. However, they don't closely examine the social dimension involved in sending children to college at such an early age. Although strongly Christian-based, the methods defined here could work for others willing to buck convention and go the home-schooling route.

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May 15, 2014

The Hardings were high school sweethearts who married a few weeks after prom and went on to raise ten children. They made the choice to homeschool their kids and sent six of them to college by age 12. With a navy doctor, an architect, an engineer, and one superhero in training among their ranks, the Hardings share their incredible journey, from early fears to resounding success. Early on, they address the reader's obvious questions ("We are not geniuses") and align their decision to homeschool with their Christian faith, as well as their thoughts that age-segregated environments are not the most effective way to develop social skills. Never judgmental and not without humor, the coauthors intersperse their story with strategies and advice for anyone considering a homeschool curriculum. VERDICT This fascinating read transcends the Christian homeschool market. Written in an engaging and relaxed style, the book tells how all 12 Hardings have accomplished much, and their account is inspirational and uplifting.

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