Attn: Rob Dennet
I don’t have any specific information, but hopefully what I do provide will aid you in some way. I’m currently a graduate student at Cleveland State University, and spent most of last semester studying education from birth to (supposed) adulthood. Of all the authors and theorists that I read, a Frenchman named Jean-Jacques Rousseau was probably the most thorough–and sometimes decipherable–author on the topic of childhood education. He offers a perspective completely unheard of these days, mainly because his work is older than most modern theorists. John Dewey was also a great read, but more importantly had more feasible ideas on how to adequately educate children. If you have time before the baby comes, and even as the big day approaches, hopefully you can dig in to those two authors a little. Basically, anything Dewey is good (although I only studied two of his works). As far as Rousseau is concerned, you want to look at Emile.
And, if you’re interested in alternative methods to the alternatives offered in today’s society, check out http://www.infed.org. It’s a great site with basic info on educational philosophers. It’ll at least give you a place to start.
Good luck with the kids, Rob.
Sincerely,
Aaron