Let’s keep it simple! Encourage more people to join the homeschool community with an uncomplicated approach. It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3. If you search for homeschooling styles, you will find a huge list. I have been homeschooling for ten years, and have tried many different ways of homeschooling. I have come to know and believe that there really are only three styles, and anything else is a method or philosophy. Here are the three styles:

1. School at Home

If you have ever attended a brick and mortar school, or your child has; you will understand the School at Home style very well. You will be conducting your child’s education at home just as they would have in school. You may start with the Pledge of Allegiance, move on to home room to review the schedule of classes for the day and get started on a traditional curriculum. School at home is a scheduled, traditional type of educational choice for your homeschool. Most likely you will use a packaged curriculum, have the same schedule everyday, five days a week. School at home students will take the nationally normed courses for college preparation, such as English, Math, Science and Social Studies; paying attention to the specific courses that may be required in the local schools such as US Government, Biology, and a Foreign Language. This style is very popular among new homeschoolers and people who are taking their child out of a traditional school setting. School at Home also appeals to the orderly, schedule oriented, and structured family.

If this appeals to you, here are a few steps to get you started homeschooling:

1. decide on a schedule that will work for your student’s education time
2. search for a complete curriculum online ( you will not find this in a book store, mall, or educator’s store )
3. Prepare supplies to start your homeschool!

2. Unschooling

Unschooling is child led learning. Instead of a curriculum, you will be following your child’s cues on learning. Children are natural learners and will seek out things that interest them. When your child expresses an interest, you will facilitate the education on this interest. If your child is interested in horses, you may visit a farm, volunteer with your child at the stable, take lessons, read books on horses. Unschooling is the process of not institutionalizing your child’s education; you will not be dictating what, where and why your child learns something. You will not be choosing courses that you think they should know just because it has always been done that way. You will follow your child’s lead, facilitate the learning through suggestion, offerings and natural progression on the topics that interest your child. Unschooling appeals to the free thinking individual who believes in many ways to achieve.

If this appeals to you, here are a few steps to get started:

1. pay close attention to your child’s interests, what they are drawn to
2. choose a few things that interest your child and search out vehicles for your child to learn more on these interests
3. when your child has exhausted these interests, watch for new and upcoming interests

3. Eclectic

The Eclectic style is a varied approach to your child’s education. You may choose a traditional curriculum for Math, but choose an experiential approach to science. Your schedule is loose; you may homeschool in the evening or on the weekends. You may take a month off, and work through the summer. Your homeschool is your choice and you exercise your creativity in the method of educating your child. The Eclectic style allows for freedom within traditional courses of education. This style appeals to the entrepreneur, the business owner, the family who likes to take charge and create their own method.

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