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 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.