Develop Your Approach
Confused by the different homeschooling methods available? Want to know how to take the best from each to create your own approach? Let our tour through the different options get you started.
Wherever homeschooling is discussed - books, magazines, conferences, radio or television programs - so are the various educational methods used by homeschoolers. While this is an opportunity to gain insight from those who have led, keep in mind that someone else's approach is not YOUR approach. It most likely will not work "as is" in your situation or environment. Prayerfully investigate these methods - develop an understanding of each method, note any ideas that you find especially appealing, or concepts that would be particularly effective in assisting your children. Then pick and choose the ideas that will work for your family. When you are finished, you will have a wonderful start on formulating your own approach. Here are a few other points to keep in mind.
No two families are the same! Your family is unique, created with a unique purpose. You will come across families, for example, that are certain that classical education is THE way to educate their children at home; after all - it works for them! See the fruit! And so it does. This blessed family followed God's design for their home. He surely has a unique design for your family as well! Copying others will not bring YOUR family success. Follow the Holy Spirit's leading in developing an approach personalized for your family.
No two children are the same! Of course you know this! But keep your children in mind as you begin investigating different ways of educating at home. What might work for one child, may not fit another. An avid reader may prefer a more Charlotte Mason approach; while a child who loves textbooks may enjoy the structured traditional way of doing things. Which approach will best serve your children?
One method can have many faces. The same approach may look different in each family as they adapt the educational method to fit their circumstances. There are very different implementations of the classical method of education in homeschools (not to mention private schools). Delight-directed homeschooling can range considerably in structure. Unit studies can vary from simple units put together by mom to very intricately detailed published studies. Feel free to adapt any methodologies to meet your family's needs.
You don't have to follow ONE method!. Keep a more "idea"-oriented focus as you read about the different methods. Don't worry about "fitting in" to any particular approach. Each method has points of interest that can be adapted and incorporated into your homeschool. Many families have combined Charlotte Mason's ideas with classical education, for example. Many, many others pull a bit from this, add a little of that, until the result fits their family. This is the beauty of homeschooling at work: Individualization!
Different methods are more effective with different subjects. While reading "living books" is an enjoyable way to experience history, it might not adequately cover geometry. Don't feel you have to stick with one approach for all subjects. You may decide to use a unit study to cover science but still want to supplement the area of language arts with a traditional worktext.
Different methods may work best at different developmental levels. While college tends to be limited to the traditional lectern and textbook method, kindergarten is generally experienced in a more hands-on environment. Our methods may need to change with our child's development from one stage to another.
Number of children. If you have ten children, you will find it difficult to teach at ten different grade levels. You may want to find methods that will allow you to teach multiple levels at one time.
Methods can change with family circumstances. During a recent temporary move, we would have been hard-pressed to stick to our preferred method of doing things with our books and resources boxed away! We chose a more traditional approach for that time period. Don't be a slave to the method or approach you use to educate your children. Make it work for you!
Further Reading
- A Comparison of Different Methods and Approaches to Homeschooling
The Bluedorn's take an interesting look at how the various educational methods may fit into the stages of learning.