Different Styles of Homeschooling: Essential Guide for Parents

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Choosing the right homeschooling style and curriculum is genuinely exhilarating! The flexibility and personalization that homeschooling offers are absolutely unmatched. When it comes to the different styles of homeschooling, the options are abundant! From traditional, classical, unit studies to unschooling and everything in between, the choice is all yours. You can choose the homeschooling style that perfectly aligns with your type of parenting style, your child's learning style, interests, and pace.

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And when it comes to choosing a homeschool curriculum, you can select one that fits your educational philosophy and your child's needs. Whether you want to focus on STEM or arts, languages, or life skills, the world is your oyster! You decide which subjects to prioritize and which resources to utilize.

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In part two of our three-part series on homeschooling (also check out part one on homeschooling essentials and part three on homeschooling costs), we will explore the different styles of homeschooling and curricula. Remember, there's no 'right' or 'wrong' choice here. The best homeschooling style and curriculum is the one that works for your family. Let’s dive in!

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Exploring the different styles of homeschooling

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There is no one-size-fits-all approach to homeschooling. One of the beauties of homeschooling is its flexibility and adaptability, allowing parents to choose or even create a homeschool curriculum that best fits their child's learning style.

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Here are some popular homeschooling styles:

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Traditional homeschooling

This homeschooling style mirrors the structured environment of public schools. Parents often use a full curriculum sourced from various educational companies, comprising textbooks, worksheets, and online programs.

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Online or Virtual Public School

This homeschooling style is where students are technically enrolled in a public school but receive their education at home via computer-based lessons or textbooks. This system offers the convenience of homeschooling while retaining the structure and accreditation of a state-run school.

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Unit studies

This homeschooling style focuses on teaching multiple subjects around a central theme, such as historical events, geographical locations, or specific people. This approach appeals to families practicing interest-led or delight-directed learning, where the student's interests drive learning.

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Classical education

This homeschooling style follows a three-part process: Grammar (learning how to learn), Logic (reasoning and analytical thinking), and Rhetoric (applying the rules of logic to foundational knowledge). This language-based approach contrasts with the hands-on or video-based methods seen in other homeschooling styles.

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Waldorf

This homeschooling style is a holistic liberal arts education where subjects are not separated from one another, and are divided into three stages based on developmental appropriateness: body, mind, and spirit. Music plays a significant part, and technology is not used until high school. Early education is focused on activities and experiences.

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The Montessori

This homeschooling style emphasizes hands-on, self-paced learning in multi-age groups, led by a Montessori-trained teacher. It uses real-world activities and a full-sensory experience to facilitate holistic learning.

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Unschooling

This homeschooling style operates on the belief that children are naturally curious and don't need to be forced to learn. In unschooling, learning becomes a natural, self-directed process that unfolds organically based on the child's interests. This method encourages children to explore their interests and learn at their own pace. It focuses on real-life experiences, hands-on learning, and allowing children to follow their passions. This approach fosters creativity, critical thinking, and a love for learning.

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Eclectic homeschooling

This homeschooling style blend of different homeschooling methods. Parents who choose this approach use a mix of structured learning, experiential activities, online resources, and community-based learning opportunities. They pick and choose elements from different homeschooling methods that best suit their child's learning style and interests, and tend to worry less about schedules and milestones.

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The Charlotte Mason

This homeschooling style emphasizes the use of living books, nature study, and hands-on activities to foster a love for literature, nature, and the arts. This method encourages short lessons, narration, and habit training, promoting a well-rounded education.

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Outsourcing

This homeschooling style is when you want to direct your child’s education, and you want it to be a home-based education, but you also want to outsource all or parts of that education. With outsourcing, it is possible to manage your child's education without actually teaching every subject yourself. This option overlaps with the styles described above, since each outsourced program will haveits own style.

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Choosing the right curriculum for your homeschooling style

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Choosing the right homeschool curriculum is crucial to setting up a successful homeschool program. The curriculum should align with the family's educational goals, the child's learning style, and the state's homeschooling laws. Some families prefer a pre-packaged curriculum that covers all the subjects and follows a structured approach. Others may choose to create their curriculum, picking and choosing resources that match their child's interests and abilities.

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A good homeschool curriculum should be comprehensive, covering all the essential subjects like Math, Science, English, Social Studies, and Physical Education. It should also incorporate life skills and provide opportunities for social interaction and hands-on learning. Moreover, it should be flexible, allowing the child to learn at their own pace and explore their interests.

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When choosing a homeschool curriculum, it's crucial to consider the child's input. Start by identifying your child's learning style and interests. Consider their strengths, weaknesses, and preferred methods of learning. Do they thrive in a hands-on, visual, or auditory learning environment? Understanding your child's learning preferences will help you choose a curriculum that meets their needs.

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Research different curriculum options and read reviews from other homeschooling parents. Look for curricula that offer a comprehensive scope and sequence, clear instructions, and engaging activities. Consider whether you prefer a religious or secular curriculum, and whether you want a pre-packaged program or prefer to create your own.

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It's also important to consider your budget and the availability of resources and materials. Some curricula require specific books or manipulatives, while others are more flexible and can be adapted to your available resources. Take into account the long-term cost and sustainability of the curriculum you choose.

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Get personalized curriculum recommendations tailored to your homeschooling style!

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Don’t know where to start, or are overwhelmed by all of the homeschool curriculum options out there?

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Take our six-question interactive survey HERE, and we will send you some recommendations based on your family’s unique needs and homeschooling style preference.

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