Cover design by Rachel Wui
THE JOY OF SLOW
Restoring Balance and Wonder to Homeschool Learning
About The Book
A parent’s guide to cultivating an unhurried lifestyle and education that help their children thrive
In a culture that prizes productivity, efficiency, and success, it’s easy to feel as though we’re constantly falling short and to lose sight of joy. The homeschool community is not exempt from this pressure, but longtime educator Leslie Martino shows parents how to slow down to recapture the delight and depth that are hallmarks of meaningful learning. In The Joy of Slow, she offers practical guidance on:
- creating daily rhythms that celebrate the ordinary and make space for spontaneity
- supporting children as they explore personal interests and engage in self-directed learning
- tracking students’ progress in ways that might be overlooked by traditional assessments
- prioritizing connection with other people and the natural world
While parents of young children are more likely to embrace a slow childhood that nurtures wonder and imagination, panic often sets in as kids grow older, and parents worry about preparing them for the world beyond school. These fears are exacerbated by learning challenges, unspoken competition among peers, and standardized assessments. The Joy of Slow offers a much-needed reset, inspiring parents to prioritize the needs of each individual child and to help them find renewed freedom and passion.
About The Book
A parent’s guide to cultivating an unhurried lifestyle and education that help their children thrive
In a culture that prizes productivity, efficiency, and success, it’s easy to feel as though we’re constantly falling short and to lose sight of joy. The homeschool community is not exempt from this pressure, but longtime educator Leslie Martino shows parents how to slow down to recapture the delight and depth that are hallmarks of meaningful learning. In The Joy of Slow, she offers practical guidance on:
- creating daily rhythms that celebrate the ordinary and make space for spontaneity
- supporting children as they explore personal interests and engage in self-directed learning
- tracking students’ progress in ways that might be overlooked by traditional assessments
- prioritizing connection with other people and the natural world
While parents of young children are more likely to embrace a slow childhood that nurtures wonder and imagination, panic often sets in as kids grow older, and parents worry about preparing them for the world beyond school. These fears are exacerbated by learning challenges, unspoken competition among peers, and standardized assessments. The Joy of Slow offers a much-needed reset, inspiring parents to prioritize the needs of each individual child and to help them find renewed freedom and passion.
Praise for
THE JOY OF SLOW
“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
“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
“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
About the author
Leslie M. Martino has over twenty years of experience teaching—as an elementary school teacher, a home educator, and an adjunct lecturer for graduate courses focused on the role of the teacher in supporting children’s individual work preferences. She homeschools her four children and works as an educational consultant, writing curricula, training teachers, and coaching parents to approach learning in an interest-based and child-directed way. She is a speaker on topics of education and motherhood and is also a contributing writer for the Wild + Free homeschooling community. Leslie enjoys teaching Pilates and collecting nature treasures (though not at the same time). She lives in sunny Florida with her husband and children. You can find her at LeslieMartino.com and on Instagram @lesliemmartino.
Leslie M. Martino
For media inquiries, please contact
Viviana Moreno at Penguin Random House.
