When parents decide to homeschool, they may not realize how many different approaches to home education there are to choose from. It may take several attempts before you determine the best approach for your child. Each parent should research some of the different approaches before determining which approach is compatible with your family dynamic. All children are different, and you may have different approaches for different children in the same family.
There is a wide range of homeschool approaches. There are very structured approaches, and approaches that are child led or what is called a natural approach. The School-at-Home approach is typically not the ideal option, but it is the approach that is most like an institution of learning. Here is a list of just a few popular approaches: School-at-Home, Classical, Eclectic, Montessori, Waldorf, Complete Curriculums in a Box, Nature Based, Unschooling, and Child-led.
Most parents try many approaches before choosing a curriculum. It can be time consuming, but finding the ideal approach for your family to help you and your children truly thrive is worth it in the end.
There is a wide range of homeschool approaches. There are very structured approaches, and approaches that are child led or what is called a natural approach. The School-at-Home approach is typically not the ideal option, but it is the approach that is most like an institution of learning. Here is a list of just a few popular approaches: School-at-Home, Classical, Eclectic, Montessori, Waldorf, Complete Curriculums in a Box, Nature Based, Unschooling, and Child-led.
Most parents try many approaches before choosing a curriculum. It can be time consuming, but finding the ideal approach for your family to help you and your children truly thrive is worth it in the end.
School-at-Home
The School-At-Home approach is trying to replicate the traditional public schools. It could be a boxed curriculum, or just a traditional approach to each subject. Some parents may even get their curriculum from their local school. This is the least common among most homeschoolers, as many homeschoolers don’t want to emulate the public school setting.
This approach at home can allow each child the necessary amount of time to grasp a subject without being rushed like in a public school setting. This approach lends itself to using workbooks.
This approach at home can allow each child the necessary amount of time to grasp a subject without being rushed like in a public school setting. This approach lends itself to using workbooks.
The Classical Approach
The Classical Approach is just that… classical. This rigorous approach focuses on classical literature. It emphasizes literature, drama, poetry and the sciences. A great book to help you plan your Classical approach is Susan Bauer’s book, The Well Trained Mind. It is extensive and thorough, covering teaching children of all ages from infancy to young adulthood.
Susan Bauer has written many other helpful books on the subjects of writing, grammar, and a four-part history series – complete with workbooks – called The Story of The World.
Susan Bauer has written many other helpful books on the subjects of writing, grammar, and a four-part history series – complete with workbooks – called The Story of The World.
The Nature Based Approach
The Nature Based Approach is similar to the Classical Approach, but with an emphasis on nature. The Handbook of Nature Study is a must for anyone interested in using nature study as part of their curriculum. Several other approaches promote nature based learning, including: Moore Formula, Oak Meadow, and Waldorf.
The Waldorf Approach
The Waldorf approach is based on Waldorf schools. You can buy a boxed curriculum or piece it together. Oak Meadow is considered a watered-down version of a Waldorf approach. The simple explanation is this approach puts an emphasis on head-heart-and-hand. Music and handicrafts like knitting are encouraged, as well as the pursuit of art in the form of sketching, watercolors, and clay.
The Moore Formula Approach
The Moore Formula Approach was created by Dorothy and Raymond Moore. They have written many useful homeschooling books, and they are considered the “grandparents” of the homeschooling movement in America. They promote delaying formal academics, and balancing work and school and religion. They also promote the idea of unit studies. The Successful Homeschool Handbook is highly recommended. Unit Studies are a great way to combine many subjects at once, and make it easy to include younger siblings as well while teaching older children. Through studying a variety of topics at once, a child can learn math, geography, writing, and even art while doing a particular unit study.
There are many useful examples of Unit Studies online we encourage you to research if you are considering this approach.
There are many useful examples of Unit Studies online we encourage you to research if you are considering this approach.
The Montessori Approach
The Montessori approach is based on Montessori schools and books by Maria Montessori.
The Montessori approach encourages child-directed learning. Parents facilitate the child’s education with specific learning materials, games and the 3-lesson approach to concepts. It is ideal for ages 3-6. The child’s environment is supposed to be set up to facilitate the child: small chairs, small desk, stool to reach the sink, etc.
The Montessori approach encourages child-directed learning. Parents facilitate the child’s education with specific learning materials, games and the 3-lesson approach to concepts. It is ideal for ages 3-6. The child’s environment is supposed to be set up to facilitate the child: small chairs, small desk, stool to reach the sink, etc.
Self-Directed Learning
As children become teenagers, Self-Directed Learning is a very popular approach.
This approach is when the parent becomes a “facilitator’ or a learning guide rather than a teacher. While this approach is great for older kids, it can be used at all age levels,
This approach is when the parent becomes a “facilitator’ or a learning guide rather than a teacher. While this approach is great for older kids, it can be used at all age levels,
Unschooling
The Unschooling approach was popularized by John Holt, a homeschool pioneer and author of several books. Students are trusted to identify, develop, and pursue their own passions. Spontaneity is often valued more than structure and planning. The parent’s role is that of a facilitator. Unschooling allows children time to develop their interests and skills.
The Eclectic Approach
The Eclectic Approach is a combination of any approaches that work for a particular child or family. There is not only one way to homeschool.