You’ve taken the quizzes and tried determining your educational philosophy or teaching style. You read the blogs, articles, and more. At the end of the day, you like (and dislike) parts of every kind! You don’t fit in a single box. No worries! The eclectic or mixed homeschooling method revolves around a simple concept: one size does not fit all.

Rather than extolling one program or curriculum as the end-all homeschooling success, the eclectic method acknowledges that each child learns uniquely – and each parent teaches differently.

Although that concept sounds good in theory, many parents are left wondering what it looks like in real life. It might seem like a chaotic approach if you’re used to setting plans for your homeschool. Still, eclectic homeschooling can be an effective, low-maintenance way to help your children learn and grow with planning and preparation. Here’s some information about eclectic homeschooling, how it can benefit you and your children, and how to get started.

About the Eclectic Method of Homeschooling

Eclectic homeschooling is also called “mixed method” homeschooling. The name “mixed method” sums up this approach’s primary purpose. Parents choose between different homeschool materials, techniques, and curriculums to best fit their child’s personality and learning style.

For example, let’s say you have two homeschooled children. Your oldest is fact-driven, grasps abstract concepts easily, and learns quickly by memorization and repetition. So, they love the math program you’ve used since starting homeschooling, which focuses on drills, repetition, and abstract problem-solving.

Your younger child is the exact opposite. She is a visual, hands-on learner and has difficulty grasping abstract math concepts. You want to use the same math program, but you and your younger child dread it every day. They feel frustrated and begin falling behind in their math studies.

It would be a good time to consider an eclectic approach! Just because the math program worked great for your oldest child doesn’t mean it is the program you have to use with your youngest. An eclectic homeschooling approach encourages you as the parent to look for the plan that best suits your student’s learning style. Eclectic homeschooling is parent-led, meaning that the parent decides what to study and which materials to use.

Sometimes, the Charlotte Mason approach works best to teach literature, while a very formal structure fits how you teach math. Once in a while, you need to take a break and allow yourself and your children time to rediscover learning. Consider making Friday afternoons your field trip time. Maybe have an educational movie day if the children have colds and aren’t feeling up to homework and lessons.

Benefits

Eclectic homeschooling has several benefits for homeschoolers, including:

• Flexible: You never have to feel tied to one curriculum or program. Eclectic homeschooling allows you to choose based on what works best for you and your family, and this flexibility can be liberating.
• Encourages Mastery: Eclectic homeschooling encourages parents to choose materials that work well for their child’s learning style, leading to greater mastery of the materials studied.
• Accommodating: An eclectic homeschooling style accommodates learning styles and any family commitments that might interfere with a stricter school-at-home method. For example, you can plan your homeschool around your travels if your family travels a lot.
• Goal-Oriented: Parents who choose an eclectic approach tend to prioritize big-picture goals for their children, then choose materials that will help them reach those goals. Some children work well with math and want to work ahead. As a parent, this goal is to be encouraged. Maybe they’ll want to go into engineering or computer programming when they’re older.
• Parent-Friendly: Your children aren’t the only ones who might not benefit from a one-size-fits-all curriculum. Teaching can be a passion for some homeschooling parents. You and your children can learn new subjects. If you’re homeschooling your children, you’re also actively working on your relationship with your child. Eclectic teaching and learning allow you to pick elements to enhance these goals.

Drawbacks

Like any homeschool method, eclectic homeschooling isn’t for everyone. If you are already happy with a school-at-home style homeschool method, don’t feel obligated to change anything. As the saying goes, if it’s not broken, don’t fix it! Many homeschooled children love a more traditional, classroom approach to homeschooling, and many homeschooling parents also feel more comfortable with this approach.

Here are some pitfalls to look out for if you decide to try eclectic homeschooling:

• Lack of Consistency: One downside of an eclectic approach can be a lack of consistency. If you’re constantly changing programs and starting new schoolbooks without finishing your previous materials, your children may begin to feel frustrated. To prevent an eclectic approach from becoming too chaotic, do some research before deciding on a program. Try finding samples online or borrowing materials from a friend.
• Time Commitment: Since an eclectic approach does not use a set lesson plan like many homeschool curriculums, it can be more time-consuming for the parent. You’ll need to spend time researching new materials and planning for each student. However, when you consider the amount of time you would waste using a program that isn’t suited for you or your student, it usually evens out!

Jump In With the Eclectic Method!

Once you decide to use an eclectic homeschool approach, you’ll need to sit down and list all the subjects you want your child to study. From there, you can choose a course of study for each subject. Alternatively, if you think your child would benefit from a different curriculum, you could start with lesson plans that the curriculum offers and amend it as you feel necessary. The whole point of an eclectic approach is that it allows you, as the parent, freedom to choose what, when, and how your child learns, so there are many opportunities for creativity.

It also helps to find support online and in your local community. Additionally, there are great resources out there for eclectic homeschoolers. I recommend the book Think Outside the Classroom, by Kelly Crawford, for any parents considering an eclectic homeschool approach.