Homeschooling Styles

Styles of homeschooling are as widely varied as the families who use them! And the specific definition of each style differs, depending on who you ask.

Many families actually use a combination of styles, taking ideas from here and there, creating their own unique style and rhythm. Some stick fairly strictly to one particular style.

One style is not necessarily better than another. It's a matter of finding what suits your particular family best! And don't be afraid to experiment and change until you find your perfect niche. In fact, some families never get to the point where they feel they've found the ideal style... they are constantly exploring new ways and ideas.

The following are just a few educational styles/methods that homeschoolers choose to use:

Natural Learning

Natural learning tends to follow the idea that learning is part of life, ongoing and around us all the time. Everything that occurs in daily life teaches us something, and we delve deeper into things to help expand our understanding of them and to make sense of our world and its experiences.

Natural learner homeschoolers tend to learn as a family, parents along with kids, working on projects that occur naturally as a part of the rich life they lead. Learning isn't split into subjects, or timetables as such- just learning in whatever areas, and whatever times, these pursuits naturally occur during the day, week, month or year. Children (or anyone) learn best, and retain more, when they are exploring something they actually want to know!

Some homeschoolers like to add some more specific study (such as maths or spelling) into their natural learning pursuits. Many also record activities under subject categories, so that they can keep track of what areas their children are covering, and to satisfy education department record keeping requirements.

School At Home

This style is at the other end of the spectrum. New homeschoolers sometimes try this method, as it is the way they are used to understanding the procedure of education, from their own schoolday experiences. After a while, they usually start to relax, gain confidence and allow things to flow more freely- often progressing to a much more natural learning style, as they become comfortable in their ability to help their children learn.

It is not usually a successful long term strategy. It limits the possibilities of creative learning so much more than a freer style does. Children are also more likely to rebel against these enforced restrictions at home. However, there are some families who find this style suits them well.

Charlotte Mason Method

Charlotte Mason was an innovative 19th century educator who believed that children should learn from real life situations- such as nature walks and journals, museums, and creative play. She also believed in using "living books" as an essential learning tool, books that brought things to life, not just containing dry facts like most text books.

Discussions and narrations, not tests and homework (especially at a young age) defined her style. She also believed in children learning good habits and manners.

Waldorf/Steiner Method

This style is based on educating the whole child- body, mind and spirit. Young children are encouraged creatively with lots of artistic and dramatic activities. As they develop, emphasis starts to focus on self awareness, working through situations and reasoning.

Children create their own books instead of using standard textbooks. Use of computers, TV etc is discouraged, as, users of this method believe them to be unhealthy and to stifle creativity.

Montessori Method

Developed by educator Maria Montessori, this method encourages children to learn at their own pace, with a lot of hands on manipulative learning. Special learning tools were developed, emphasising simplicity and the use of natural materials. This method also discourages the use of computers and TV.

Unit Studies

In this method a topic theme is chosen, around which studies in multiple subject areas are included. For instance, a family may decide to study their local river. They could then observe, photograph, draw and record wildlife and plant life, and do transects, along the river.

They could write journals of seasonal changes or observations. They could measure and map sections of the river, record parks, toilets, playgrounds, bins etc. Organise a litter clean up day and record where and how much accumulates. They could test water for salts and impurities. They could write to their local authority about their concerns for the river. Survey people as to what they use the area for.

They could use the internet or libraries to research the history of the river and the people who used it and lived along it, and create a poster project, or PowerPoint presentation about it. Maybe make a pamphlet about the river for people who might visit it... make a version in another language too, if you're studying one.

And the list goes on...

As you can see, almost any subject can be tied into a unit study. You just need to be creative.

These are just some of the main homeschooling styles. Much from one style can be combined with that of others, so it's easy to create your own unique home educating style.

There is extensive information available on all these styles, and others, so do some research to see what might fit your family best. And don't be afraid to acknowledge when something isn't working, and move on to try something different!