Education Styles: Eclectic
"From the day you became a parent, you also became a teacher, and you are equipped to teach your child.”
Anne Campbell
The eclectic style of homeschooling is the most versatile and personalized style of homeschooling styles or methods. Families can use a mix of approaches, curriculums, resources for the different topics in order to choose what works best for each individual child. An example of eclectic homeschooling could be using a classical based approach with reading and writing, a spiral textbook math approach with video lessons, Charlotte Mason inspired nature journaling for science, and unit studies for social studies.
By following an eclectic homeschooling style it is easier to reassess and shift directions when something isn't working or when trying to figure out one's learning style. On the other hand, it can be overwhelming in all of the options available. Choosing a curriculum and style that works best for your children or pod will be a trial and error endeavor, however, our advice is to stick with it for at least a few months; read the Instructor's Manuals (where applicable), watch youtube videos of how others implemented their curriculum, or talk to a curriculum coach. Most curriculums don't work unless you work it, but if after a few months, it's still not working for your family- SWITCH!
Books
The Way They Learn by: Cynthia Ulrich Tobias
Home Learning Year by Year by: Rebecca Rupp
Podcasts
Homeschool With Moxie Podcast | 177: Why I'm an Eclectic Homeschooler
The Homeschool Music Collective | An Eclectic Approach to your Homeschool
Articles/Websites
Cathyduffyreviews.com- find in-depth and unbiased(unpaid) reviews of any homeschool curriculum. Cathy Duffy also has a learning style assessment to help give you a starting point of curriculums to try based on your results.
Howdoihomeschool.com- Rebecca Devitt writes an easy to read article about how eclectic homeschooling can work for any family.