Eclectic homeschooling is a highly personalised education. The parent mix and matches the best parts of different homeschooling methods to tailor a program suited to each child. 

 

What is Eclectic Homeschooling? 

To begin, it is important to realise that there are many different methods to homeschooling. Unschooling takes a very child led approach, where as traditional homeschooling feels a lot similar to a brick and mortar school education. You will find a vast array of differing methods and philosophies that will fall somewhere between these. Charlotte Mason, and Waldorf are two of the most common educational philosophies. 

Eclectic homeschooling takes bits and pieces from different styles to create your own unique way of homeschooling. There may be aspects of Waldorf homeschooling that you really like but don’t want to commit yourself fully to that style so you take what you like and leave what you don’t. 

This style of homeschooling is very popular and most parents probably fall into this category somewhat. Just as every child is individual and unique so will the way they learn. 

 

Why Would I Choose Eclectic Homeschooling? 

Eclectic homeschooling is perfect for allowing you to not feel the need to conform to one particular style. Sometimes we may really love some parts of a philosophy or method but deep down you know “that just wont work for Sally”. 

I know that my personality likes to check of all the little boxes and if I can’t tick off all those boxes it makes me a little anxious. Eclectic homeschool relieves all that pressure. You can say “oh yes I am an eclectic homeschooler” and you can totally check off all the boxes because you created all the boxes! 

Reading up on all the different educational approaches is exciting and to be honest it is quite eye opening. If you have only every experienced traditional public school education, the thought that education and learning can and does happen in many other ways can be like a “aha moment” Education has evolved so much and is continuing to evolve. It really is quite exciting to step outside of that box. 

 

The Pro’s of Eclectic Homeschooling

• It is entirely individualised. You are able to cater to your child’s strengths and address their weaker areas. Mainstream education caters for the vast majority of children therefore it needs to be somewhat standardised to work efficiently. This means that if your child does not perform at a “average” level they could easily fall between the cracks. An individualise education means you are able to meet the child where they are. 
• Flexibility. Eclectic homeschoolers don’t feel tied to or a loyalty to any one style. They are able to appreciate the good that many homeschooling styles have to offer and choose what works best for their children. 
• Buying a set curriculum can be expensive but if you go the eclectic route you may end up spending a lot less by only purchasing what you need.

 

The Con’s of Eclectic Homeschooling

• You as the parent have the arduous task of thumbing through all the different curriculums and reading review after review to nail down what might work for your child. It takes a lot of time and tedious work picking out all the best parts of each curriculum and homeschooling method. Once you actually start homeschooling you may realise that you have got it all wrong and you need to go back to square one again. Once you have it nailed down though, it is a truely wonderful feeling and things progress smoothly. 
• You are responsible for making sure everything is covered. This con goes for many homeschooling methods however if you do not use a curriculum that is all inclusive. 
• It is true that while eclectic homeschooling is fabulous because of its ability to centre around the needs of an individual child, this becomes much more complicated with the more children you have. You may have to make a number of compromises to ensure the sanity of all involved! 

 

How to Start Eclectic Homeschooling

• First you will want to sit down and decide what is most important to you as the educator and to your child as the student. Ask questions like: What do I want to achieve?, What do I envision our daily schedule to look like? What sort of personality traits do we have that may influence how we learn/teach most efficiently? 
• Google your heart out on different homeschooling methods and philosophies. Keep a pen and notebook near by so that you can write down the parts that you really like and would want to implement in your own homeschool. 
• Come up with a frame work around which you will base your child’s education. For example you may really love the way Charlotte Mason does handwriting but you are more in love with Waldorf style approach to delayed reading. So you take the handwriting from Charlotte Mason and the reading from Waldorf and now you have your unique approach to language arts. You can continue along these lines until you feel satisfied you have a beautiful well rounded education plan for your child. 
• Seek out co-ops for your children to enrol in. Co-ops are groups that hold classes for homeschooled children on a regular basis. Children can use these classes to branch out into subject matter that really interests them as well as having the opportunities to make friends with other homeschooled kids. 
• Once you start homeschooling you will want to keep an eye on how your child is responding. You may realise that you need to tweak a few things before you get the balance right. It is a fine line sometimes between perfection and utter disaster! 

 

Things to Remember

• What works one day may not work a few weeks, months or years from now. It is okay to switch things up. If what yo are doing is not working change it. There is no good that will come from trying to push through with something that is just not beneficial…despite how wonderful it is and how much money you paid for it! Put it up on ebay and sell it, homeschool curriculums have a pretty good resale value. 
• An eclectic homeschool is going to look different for every family. Homeschooling looks different to every family so try not to compare. 
• No matter what curriculum or method you pick, your child will learn as long as you are dedicated to their education. No one loves your child, knows your child or is as invested in your child as you are. 
• The initial work of putting together a learning program is overwhelming, especially if you have zero experience in the homeschooling world. Everything can seem incredible foreign and sometimes just down right crazy. If you have the opportunity try and meet a few homeschooling parents. There are plenty of Facebook groups you can join, most of the big curriculum providers will also have their own Facebook pages. You will find that homeschooling parents are usually very generous with their advice and different ideas you may not have thought of. We have all been where you are now. 
• If you have a child with special needs it will be vital that you figure out how they will learn best. There are certain curriculums that work much better for children with dyslexia for example. Ask your child’s doctor or therapists for advice on different learning styles.