Homeschool Styles: Choose the Right Approach for Your Family
Homeschooling is becoming more and more popular, but with the variety of homeschool styles available, it can be difficult to decide which one is the best approach for your family.
In this guide, you’ll learn about different styles of homeschooling. From traditional approaches to unschooling, you’ll find a method that fits your family’s needs.
In this article about different types of homeschooling, you’ll discover the following information:
- Summaries for most methods of homeschooling.
- Podcast episodes about different ways to homeschool your kids.
- Links to more comprehensive articles about different homeschooling approaches.
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Different Styles of Homeschooling
Below, you’ll find a summary of most homeschooling styles. Most summaries contain a link to a more in-depth article with helpful resources, videos, and podcast episodes.
There really isn’t a right or wrong, best or worst, style of homeschooling. While some homeschooling parents adhere to one method, many parents ultimately become eclectic homeschoolers. They simply take bits and pieces of the methods that work best for their children.
Watch the Video: Homeschool Styles
Helping Your Children Learn Is More Important Than the Homeschool Method
As you review the various homeschooling methods, consider how you can best help your child learn. Ultimately, helping your children learn is more important than the method you use.
These three steps are at the core of learning.
- Acquire information.
- Practice, play with, or otherwise use your acquired information.
- Share the information.
21 Homeschool Styles & Educational Approaches…
1. Charlotte-Mason Homeschooling
The Charlotte Mason style of homeschooling uses a literature-based curriculum with living books to engage students. It includes nature studies, art, music, and narration, encouraging observation and reflection.
2. Curriculum-Based Approach
Using a curriculum can be an excellent way to help your children learn about a topic. However, it’s important to remember that while curriculum is available to support your child’s educational journey, there are also many other ways for your child to learn.
3. Child-Led Learning: Self-Directed, Play-Based, Delight-Direct
With a self-directed style of education, the child leads their own learning. Sometimes, you might hear this called play-based learning, self-directed learning, or delight-direct learning.
4. Classical Education Method
Classical education began in ancient times with the great philosophers. A classical homeschooling method combines learning about The Seven Liberal Arts with reading The Great Books. This approach is broken into three learning stages called the trivium.
5. Concept-Based Learning
When you use a concept-based approach to learning, your goal is to help your child understand an overall idea. While you may use curricula, you might also help your child learn through games, field trips, reading, and more.
6. Deschooling
While deschooling is not a style of homeschooling, it’s helpful to understand this term. Deschooling is a transition time between a child attending school and homeschooling. Many homeschool parents and organizations suggest that you deschool before you homeschool.
7. Eclectic Method of Homeschooling
Eclectic Homeschooling
When you’re an eclectic homeschooler, you’re simply cherry-picking from various curricula and homeschooling styles. In essence, you’re doing what works best for your family.
8. Gameschooling Approach
Game schooling is an educational approach that uses games to teach various subjects and skills. This method fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and social skills through interactive play. It creates a dynamic and enjoyable learning environment for children.
9. Montessori Method of Homeschooling
The Montessori Method of homeschooling emphasizes child-led, hands-on learning at the child’s own pace. It fosters independence, critical thinking, and a love of learning. Children choose their activities in a prepared environment, promoting self-discipline.
10. Nature Schooling & Outdoor Learning Models: Wild Schooling, Forest Schooling, Earth Schooling
Nature schooling is an educational approach that immerses students in the natural world, fostering hands-on learning and exploration. It enhances academic learning while promoting physical health, mental well-being, and environmental stewardship.
11. Online Public (Virtual) School
Online public schools (virtual schools) are sometimes known as K12 programs. This isn’t homeschooling at all, but many parents are led to believe that this is homeschooling. Your options are very limited when choosing this option. Read the article to learn more.
Click here to learn about the differences between online public schools and true homeschooling.
12. Project-Based Learning
Project-based learning is when a student does a project for educational purposes. The key difference between a unit study and project-based learning is that there is a public product that will be shared from a project-based learning experience.
13. Relaxed Homeschooling
Relaxed Homeschooling
Relaxed homeschooling blends structure with flexibility, allowing children to learn at their own pace and follow their interests. It creates a low-stress environment, balancing formal lessons with hands-on activities. This approach fosters a love for learning by adapting to each child’s needs and curiosity.
14. Roadschooling and Homeschooling
Roadschooling is a homeschooling method in which families travel and use real-world experiences to educate their children. Students learn through visits to historical sites, museums, and diverse cultures. Other methods of homeschooling are sometimes combined with roadschooling.
15. Strewing to Homeschool
Strewing is a way to make learning fun by placing interesting items around the house for kids to discover. It helps kids learn new things without feeling like they’re in a classroom. By finding and exploring these items, kids can enjoy learning in a natural and exciting way.
HomeSchool ThinkTank Support for Parents
16. Teacher-Led Learning Model: Direct Instruction
Teacher-Led Learning Models
A teacher-led learning model emulates the public education system, which involves a structured approach in which the teacher is the main authority. The parent-teacher delivers knowledge through clear instructions and demonstrations, guides students through practice, and provides immediate feedback. This model emphasizes direct instruction, relies heavily on curricula, and involves continuous assessment to ensure mastery of the material.
17. Traditional Homeschooling: School-at-Home Approach
Traditional homeschooling uses textbooks, workbooks, and a curriculum similar to public schools, covering core subjects like math, science, language arts, and social studies. This approach often mirrors the structure and schedule of a traditional school day.
18. True Homeschooling
True homeschooling means you are legally homeschooling your kids and are not using a public school curriculum or model in your home. As a True Homeschooler, you are not signed up through the public school system, publically funded K12 programs, or any other publically funded education program.
19. Unit Studies Approach
When homeschooling with unit studies, you’ll choose a topic or theme to study. You’ll then figure out ways to integrate various subject areas into the unit study. Your family can study a topic together, or each child can choose their own topic to study.
Podcast Episode: Explore the Different Homeschool Styles
In this episode of the HomeSchool ThinkTank Parenting Podcast, you’ll learn about many different styles of homeschooling. From a classical education to unschooling, we cover the gamut of homeschool methods. If you’re new to the world of homeschooling, this is a must-listen episode.
We suggest following the podcast on the following platforms.
Click here to learn more about our podcast.
20. Unschooling & Radical Unschooling
Unschooling is a homeschooling approach where children learn through pursuing their interests without a structured curriculum. It emphasizes real-life experiences and self-directed education. This method offers a personalized and flexible learning journey focused on the child’s natural curiosity.
Click here to learn about unschooling and radical unschooling.
21. Worldschooling, Traveling, and Homeschooling
Worldschooling integrates travel and cultural experiences into homeschooling, offering a global perspective and real-world learning. Families explore different countries, learn about other cultures, visit museums, and more.
Teaching Methods for Inspiring the Students of the Future
In the video below, Joe Ruhl demonstrates various ways students approach learning in his classroom. This is an excellent representation of the many different ways kids can learn.
According to Joe Ruhl, the National Education Association has identified the last four C’s on the list below as essential 21st-century skills that kids should learn. Mr. Ruhl has added the first C of choice to the list.
Essential 21st-Century Skills for Kids to Learn
- Choice
- Collaboration
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Creativity
While this talk is aimed at classroom teachers, as a homeschooling parent, you can incorporate these components into your child’s homeschool day.
TEDx Talk with Joe Ruhl
Helpful Information About Homeschooling
- Discover our Homeschool Consulting Services
- Life Coaching Services for Parents
- Get the Free Course: Homeschool with Confidence
- Listen to the HomeSchool ThinkTank Parenting Podcast
- How Homeschoolers Make Friends
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