Homeschooling is one of the most practised models of education by parents who are keen to provide their children with a flexible learning environment. Whether to receive a curriculum that would be more in tune with their child’s needs, to avoid the conventional school setting as a method of education or to properly address a child’s learning style, more families are considering homeschooling. However, this decision presents one with a setback of having to determine which of the homeschooling methods or approaches is most appropriate for the child. 

Let’s take a closer look at the most widespread methods and approaches to have an understanding of what type is the most suitable for you.

Approaches for Homeschooling 

Here are some approaches for homeschooling your child. 

The Classical Approach

The Classical Approach towards homeschooling is backed and grounded in the principles of early Greek and Roman Education. This approach emphasises the trivium, a three-part process of learning that corresponds to a child’s cognitive development:This approach emphasises the trivium, a three-part process of learning that corresponds to a child’s cognitive development:

• Grammar Stage (ages 5-11): Concentrates on learning of facts, rote knowledge, and the essentials of communicated language, number, time, and space, and nature and its operation.

• Logic Stage (ages 12-14): Helps to formulate skills of critical thinking and analysis, lets students study the correlation between multi fields.

• Rhetoric Stage (ages 15-18): Relates to one’s ability to communicate his ideas in an efficient and well-coordinated manner.

The Classical Approach is formal and planned and may entail the use of such languages as Latin or Greek. Here it is best for families that appreciate traditional education and hard academic curriculum.

The Montessori Method

The Montessori Method was established by Dr. Maria Montessori and therefore it involves the students following instructions guided by the Montessori learning curriculum. 

It enables children to learn at their convenience while within an environment structured for them allowing them to be self-motivated in their learning process. Key features of the Montessori Method include.

• Multi-Age Classrooms: The children are able to learn in groups, especially grouped according to age, where the younger ones are grouped with the older ones so as to learn from one another.

• Prepared Environment: Organization of the learning environment is closely planned with formal and informal teaching aids for the different ages.

• Self-Directed Learning: In spare time children manage their own choices and work individually, which gives an excellent opportunity to study subjects of children’s interest.

Montessori is perfect for parents who wish to develop the child’s innate desire to learn and apply knowledge in practice.

The Charlotte Mason Approach

It is called the Charlotte Mason method in honour of the British educator after whom the method was named; it focuses on a formed curriculum that involves literature, nature study, art, music, and handicrafts. Key principles of the Charlotte Mason Approach include.

• Living Books: Instead of boring textbooks, children read “living books” written by authors for whom the topic is dear and important.

• Narration: They use this method to encourage students to expound on what the student has learned in simple and precise terms so as to check the mastery of the content by the student.

• Nature Study: Spending time outdoors is deemed important in understanding the features of the environment and fine tuning the observational skills.

This strategy is most appropriate for parents who prefer a unique form of an education that focuses on the natural development of the child’s character both in terms of mental and spiritual well-being.

The Unschooling Approach

Unschooling is based on the individual learner, and it does not support conventional school as children stay engaged in things that they want to learn through the actual environment.

• Interest-Led Learning: Kids continue doing what they love – reading, practising music, programming, or testing their knowledge of nature.

• No Formal Curriculum: Creative education means that there is no specific time table or lessons as learning takes place as per the child’s desire and experiences.

• Real-World Learning: Each comes with its methods of learning since most of unschooling occurs through day to day activities, travelling, participating in community activities among others.

Unschooling is also a completely laid-back method which will be perfect for families who believe that the child only needs to be provided with the opportunity to discover the world themselves.

The Waldorf Approach

The Waldorf Approach was introduced by Rudolf Steiner for education where the education of the child is taken in a more general and spiritual view. This method is based on the learning-teaching process along with the elements of art and creativity, with focus on practical skills. 

• Arts and Crafts: Some of the activities that are carried out daily include, drawing and painting, music and vocals and handcraft.

• Storytelling and Imagination: Folktales are important in instilling values and issues of moral nature also in the development of linguistic abilities.

• Delayed Academics: Skills such as reading and writing are then introduced in classes at a formal level when the child is about 7 years of age in order to let the child grow on his own.

Waldorf Approach is suitable for the parents who are seeking for the education where their children will be guided in such a way that they imagine, create and feel the unity of a community.

The Eclectic Approach

The Eclectic Approach to homeschooling makes use of homeschooling methods and strategies from several homeschooling methods to come up with a unique teaching style that would best fit the learner. Parents who use this approach customise the content of learning with their child relating it to the child’s learning capabilities, nature and preferences and using a variety of resources and approaches. 

• Customization: This means that parents will choose the best from the various homeschooling methods in order to provide the best learning environment.

• Adaptability: It is also flexible in that the child can learn in accordance with their interests and the complexity of the requirements that he/she is fulfilling as they grow up.

• Variety of Resources: Eclectic homeschooling: It is a type of homeschooling where homeschooling parents apply textbooks, online courses, hands-on activities, and experiences.

This is preferred by parents who would want the flexibility in shaping the system and developing a personalised learning program for the child.

Deciding the type of homeschooling that you will undertake is a very personal decision depending on your child’s learning mode, your beliefs on education and your everyday schedule. It does not matter whether you like a strict classical approach or an erratic one like in unschooling, the main point is to find an option that would suit both the parent and the child.