Homeschooling Methods

For many people, home­schooling may call to mind the picture of two or three children sitting at a table and writing feverishly in their workbooks, while mom or dad stands nearby. This is the not entirely true. There are different methods of home­schooling, and the method you choose will decide the curriculum and your style of teaching. Given below are some of the most influential and popular home­schooling methods.

The Charlotte Mason method:

Charlotte Mason is known as the founder of the home­schooling movement. A home­schooler herself, she was passionate in her zeal to lay out the foundations for an effective a complete home­schooling program that is fun and educational at the same time. This method focuses on all the core subjects with emphasis placed on classical literature, poetry, fine arts, classical music and craft.

Mason used a variety of books from classical literature, which she called 'Living Books'. Since this method encourages a passionate awareness of literature, the child is read to daily from the 'Living Books'. After this, the child is asked to narrate what she has heard. This process begins at the age of six, and by ten the child is expected to write her narrations in her book.

Mason also advocated the use of 'Nature Diaries'. After each short and interesting lesson, the child is asked to go to Nature and draw observations from Nature. Thus the child also gains a sense of respect for her environment.

Mason believed that development of good character and behavior was essential to the complete development of the child's personality.

Eclectic Homeschooling:

This is a mixture of various home­schooling techniques. Here, the innovative parents trust their own judgment and pick out the topics that make the best curriculum for their child. Such parents continuously look out for the best products that will meet the needs of their home­schoolers.

Most Eclectic home­schooling curricula are improvised. This means

that the basic curriculum is ready-made. The parents then make changes in the curriculum to accommodate the individual needs and interests of their children.

The child's gifts, temperament, learning style and interests dictate the curriculum. Eclectic programs include visits to the museum, libraries and factories.

Unschooling:

A Boston public educator name John Holt laid the beginnings of the un­schooling method. He believed that children learned best when they are free to learn at their own pace and when they are guided by their own interests. His message was to 'un­school' the child.

This un­schooling method is a hands-on approach to learning, where the parent takes definite cues from the children. There is no definite curriculum, schedules or materials. This method is the most unstructured of the various home­schooling techniques. For a more in depth discussion of this method go to the Unschooling Your Child page.

The Montessori Method:

This method began in Italy, when it was observed that children have acute sensitive periods, during which they undergo periods of intense concentration. During such phases, a child will repeat an activity till he gains a measure of self-satisfaction.

The Montessori method depends on a prepared environment to facilitate learning. All the materials used in this method are designed to satisfy the inner desire for spiritual development of the child.

The materials used progress from simple to complex, and are rather expensive. For a more detailed explanation of the Montessori Method go to the Montessori Homeschooling page.

These are just a few of the methods of home­schooling. Whatever the method, the underlying factor is flexibility and a keen interest in the desires of the child. The secret is to use the child's desire for knowledge to further his education.