10 Homeschooling Styles You Need to Explore in 2023
Homeschooling is no longer a novel concept but a thriving educational phenomenon, especially in the ever-evolving landscape of the 21st century.
It’s a movement that has transcended the traditional classroom and adapted to the diverse needs and desires of parents and children alike.
As homeschooling continues to gain popularity, it’s essential to explore the many homeschooling styles available in 2023.
These styles have not only stood the test of time but have also evolved to meet the ever-changing demands of modern education.
In this article, we’ll embark on a journey to discover ten distinctive homeschooling styles that are redefining education in 2023.
From the well-established to the up-and-coming, these styles encompass an array of philosophies and methodologies, ensuring a perfect fit for every homeschooling family.
So, let’s delve into the world of homeschooling styles and explore the innovative ways in which parents are shaping their children’s educational experiences in the comfort of their homes.
10 Popular Homeschooling Styles
Some of these homeschooling styles might already be familiar to you, even if you’re new to the world of homeschooling.
Perhaps you’ve heard of the Charlotte Mason Curriculum (CMers), which emphasizes living books and character development.
Or maybe you’re acquainted with the Classical Method, which delves deep into the trivium, nurturing critical thinking.
These are just a couple of examples of a vast array of homeschooling styles that offer unique learning approaches within your homestead’s walls.
Let’s see all ten.
1. Charlotte Mason Curriculum (CMers)
It’s one of the oldest styles and dates back to the 19th century. Charlotte Mason was a British educator who thought education should encompass a child’s atmosphere, discipline, and life.
The CMEr emphasizes a Christian, holistic approach to education, focusing on living books, nature study, and habit training. It focuses more on concepts than on facts.
Benefits: Charlotte Mason Curriculum promotes short, focused lessons (15-20 minutes for elementary students and 45 minutes for high schoolers), encouraging character development and critical thinking skills.
Disadvantages: Some may need help to adapt to specific learning needs or handle a diverse range of materials. It also tends to work better with smaller kids. A Christian approach is also not for everybody.
Further Reading:
2. The Classical Method
The classical method is a well-established and familiar approach rooted in the trivium – grammar, logic, and rhetoric.
It highlights classic literature and history to foster critical thinking. The Biblical classical approach also puts a strong emphasis on biblical worldview training.
Benefits: This curriculum gives students solid core knowledge of language arts, mathematics, science, and history apart from classical languages, logic, and rhetoric.
It offers a structured and comprehensive curriculum, laying a solid foundation in classical knowledge and critical thinking.
Disadvantages: This method is often perceived as rigid and less accommodating of diverse learning styles. It’s also definitely not for students who don’t like reading.
Further Reading:
3. Montessori Homeschool Curriculum
The Montessori Homeschool Curriculum, inspired by Maria Montessori, is also one of the most known homeschooling methods.
It originated in the late 19th Century when Montessori developed it for special-needs children before extending it to students without adaptations.
It requires adapting the environment to the child’s age and possibilities and may even need special furniture and accessories.
Benefits: This method nurtures young learners’ independence, critical thinking, and practical life skills. Learning is hands-on, creative, and adapted to individual learning styles.
Disadvantages: Similar to Charlotte Mason Curriculum, this method is better suited for younger students and places more emphasis on humanities than sciences and mathematics.
4. Unschooling
Unschooling is a progressive and flexible approach.
It allows children to guide their learning process, explore their interests, and set their pace, free from a fixed curriculum. It’s the child that decides what to learn, not the parents.
It’s a learning method based on the philosophy of one of the homeschooling pioneers, John Holt.
Benefits: It teaches children independence and responsibility for their educational decisions. It fosters curiosity and empowers students to deeply engage with what interests them.
Disadvantages: A lack of structure may be problematic for many families. There’s also a possibility of potential gaps in education due to the absence of a set curriculum.
Further Reading:
5. School-at-Home (Traditional Homeschooling)
School-at-Home, sometimes known as Traditional Homeschooling, replicates the conventional school model within a home setting.
It follows a structured curriculum, uses textbooks, and maintains a regular schedule.
Benefits: It provides a familiar and organized approach to education, mirroring the traditional school system.
If homeschooling is just a temporary solution for your family, this method allows an easy comeback to the previous traditional school system.
Disadvantages: Some students may find it too closely aligned with the traditional school system, potentially needing more flexibility and personalization than homeschooling can offer. It may also be very time-consuming.
Further Reading:
6. Relaxed Homeschooling (Eclectic Education)
Relaxed homeschooling, an approach that has gained popularity, combines elements from various methods.
Parents customize the curriculum to cater to their child’s needs and interests. You can try different homeschooling styles at different moments of the educational journey.
Benefits: It offers flexibility, enabling parents to accommodate diverse learning styles and individual interests. Great for families that feel secure about homeschooling.
Disadvantages: Planning and implementing an eclectic curriculum can be time-consuming and require careful consideration. Also, using different methods means dealing with the cons of each of them.
Further Reading:
7. Worldschooling
Worldschooling is an adventurous style that incorporates travel into the educational journey. Families embark on long journeys, learning from their experiences and the diverse cultures they encounter.
Benefits: It provides children firsthand exposure to different cultures and a global perspective, making learning an exciting adventure.
Disadvantages: Worldschooling requires significant planning and may not suit families with constrained resources or commitments. There is also a danger of substantial gaps in the curriculum.
8. Homeschooling with Unit Studies
Homeschooling with Unit Studies revolves around specific themes or topics, integrating various subjects like math, science, and history around that central theme.
If you want to try this approach, look at How to Plan Successful Homeschool Unit Studies (and Have Fun!)
Benefits: This approach fosters interdisciplinary learning, helping students connect with different subjects and deepen their understanding.
Disadvantages: Unit studies can be challenging to plan and may not cover subjects comprehensively.
9. Waldorf Homeschooling
The educational philosophy of Rudolf Steiner inspires Waldorf Homeschooling.
It emphasizes creativity, imagination, and a holistic approach to education. This style does not use textbooks, and kids spend lots of time in nature.
Benefits: It nurtures artistic expression and emphasizes the child’s development, including their emotional and spiritual well-being.
Disadvantages: Implementing this method may require specialized materials and a dedication to the Waldorf philosophy. It’s not recommended for high schoolers who pursue a university path.
10. Roadschooling
Roadschooling is a unique homeschooling style that combines education with travel, not necessarily abroad. Families educate their children while on the road, often in an RV, using their journeys as opportunities for learning.
Benefits: Roadschooling allows for experiential learning and exposes children to cultural varieties and different environments. It’s similar to world schooling but less expensive.
Disadvantages: It demands significant planning and can be disruptive to traditional routines and social activities.
If you’re considering homeschooling, read 7 Tips for Making the Switch to Homeschooling.
Ready to Try Your Favorite Homeschooling Style?
As the education landscape continually evolves, homeschooling styles continue to diversify and adapt to families’ ever-changing needs and desires.
Each of these ten styles offers a distinctive educational approach, catering to various philosophies.
In 2023, we encourage parents to explore these different styles, considering what resonates most with their values, lifestyle, and aspirations for their children’s education.
Whether your child wants to go to Yale or circumnavigate the world alone at 18, your homeschooling journey will look very different. And that’s the beauty of this.
Remember, education is a dynamic and lifelong journey, and the right homeschooling style can make all the difference.
By staying informed about innovative homeschooling styles, you can provide your children with the best possible education, nurturing their curiosity and fostering a love of learning.
If you feel like reading a bit more, don’t miss the following:
- Homeschooling 101: Where to Begin Your Journey
- 8 Ways to Homeschool Without Curriculum
- 16 Helpful Insights from Seasoned Homeschoolers
If you’re ready to enhance your homeschooling journey in 2023, consider exploring new horizons and possibilities.
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