Today, you have a number of different philosophies, methods and approaches to choose from when it comes to home education. Here is a brief overview of the more common homeschooling methods.
- Eclectic method — An eclectic homeschooling family takes bits and pieces from a variety of different methods to form their own homeschooling philosophy.
- Charlotte Mason Method— This approach advocates reading good books from original sources and spending lots of time in nature.
- Classical Education–Many Christian and other families prefer a liberal arts education for their children, including lessons in Greek and Latin, as well as formal instruction in logic.
- Homeschool co-ops is the best of both worlds. Parents are in complete charge of their child’s education, but can come together with others to teach some subjects together.
- Unschooling Some homeschools practice child led learning and not parent directed learning. The parents provide a learning atmosphere and lifestyle and children are free to learn in a natural way.
- The Unit Studies Approach integrates all school subjects together into one theme or topic.
- Montessori Homeschooling The Montessori Method was founded by Maria Montessori, MD. She recommends children learn through “purposeful work”. This method strives to prepare children for the real world by teaching them real world skills.
- Traditional Learning and Textbook Based Education–Some families choose to follow a traditional (think public school) model of education, following the standards or scope and sequence of their local schools. There are many textbooks and workbooks that allow this kind of learning at home.
- Virtual online schools—This method is an internet based which allow the child to learn along with a public school teacher from the comfort of their own home. Many of these programs are computer based, giving the student the independence and responsibility to study on their own, and easing some of the homeschooling parent’s burden
- Waldorf Education is based on the works of Rudolf Steiner. Teaching is based on an understanding of child development, and is specially planned to work with the “whole hearted child”. Waldorf Educators work with the whole child, their minds, their hearts and their hands. This method focuses on the rhythm of the world and of seasons, as well as maintaining a rhythm for the child’s day. Educational concepts are taught through images, movement and stories rather than through traditional textbooks which helps children learn enthusiastically. Creativity is celebrated.
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