The Joy of Slow

The Joy of Slow offers a transformative perspective on education and family life. Leslie’s captivating storytelling and insightful reflections encourage a slower, more intentional approach to homeschooling. Drawing from personal experiences, she illustrates how unhurried attention uncovers hidden wonders and deepens connections with our children. Leslie’s practical guidance empowers parents to integrate slow schooling principles, fostering deep learning alongside meaningful engagement. As a home educating parent navigating a constantly changing educational landscape, Leslie’s book resonated deeply, offering hope in a fast-paced world. The Joy of Slow is essential for anyone seeking a richer journey through homeschool learning and parenting.
—Leah Boden, author of Modern Miss Mason
 
In The Joy of Slow, Leslie Martino offers us a peaceful vision for homeschooling that transcends traditional approaches. This book urges families to home in on their values and build meaningful roots rather than racing through childhood. With a commitment to nurturing understanding instead of shallow mastery, and supporting interest-led learning over checking off boxes, she helps families educate for hope and purpose. The Joy of Slow is a compass for those who seek to embrace a more deliberate, enriching, and ultimately fulfilling homeschooling journey.
—Jennifer Pepito, author of Mothering by the Book and founder of The Peaceful Press
 
In a world that promotes a childhood lived on fast-forward, The Joy of Slow beautifully carves the path toward a revolutionary education where students can learn not at the speed of light but at the speed of love. And Leslie Martino, with her hard-earned wisdom, deep curiosity, and tranquil heart is the perfect one to guide us through it.
—Erin Loechner, author of Chasing Slow and founder of Other Goose
 
Slow down! Read this book, one soul-nourishing page at a time. Let it guide you into the life you crave—one where learning and living go at the pace of joy. Leslie Martino weaves educational theory, personal experience, and practical activities into a beautiful vision of a homeschool life. She celebrates a child’s patient curiosity and shows parents how to unleash it. The result? A slow, joyful life of learning, rather than a rush to academic achievement. I wish I had had this book when I began my homeschooling journey.”
—Julie Bogart, author of The Brave Learner and Raising Critical Thinkers and founder of Brave Writer
 
There are multitudes of gifts tucked into the pages of The Joy of Slow, but what I appreciate most is the framework provided to bring legitimacy and honor to the work happening in my home. I’ve always understood how slow living and learning works with younger children, but fear and uncertainty threatened my resolve with my teens. After reading Leslie’s work and seeing how even her teen thrives amid the “joy of slow,” I’m more confident than ever that my family is resting in just the right spot.
—Amber O’Neal Johnston, author of A Place to Belong and founder of Heritage Mom