What Exactly is Eclectic Homeschooling?

Question: One of my friends described her homeschool as eclectic. What I asked what that meant, she said a little of this, and a little of that. Can you give me a more detailed answer to what is an eclectic homeschool?

Answer: You have asked the right person, as I also describe my homeschool as eclectic. Your friend is right. Eclectic homeschoolng really is a little of this and a little of that. Of course you are probably asking what "this" and "that" are.

As you probably are aware, many different approaches or styles to homeschool. Besides eclectic, the most common approaches are Classical homeschooling, school in a box or online, Charlotte Mason Homeschooling, and Unschooling. There are more approaches or styles, but they get similar to each other at this point. So here's where being an ecclectic homeschooling comes in. An eclectic homeschooler educates themselves on each and every homeschool approach that intrigues them. Then they choose elements from each one.

As you can see, no two eclectic homeschools will look the same. Here's how I chose our own personal eclectic style. I really liked the ideals of a classical homeschool education, but I felt like some of the aspects would drive my kids (and me) crazy. I most especially loved the way history is taught in order and the fact that classical homeschoolers spent time learning Latin, so I chose these elements of classical homeschooling. I looked at Charlotte Mason homeschooling and loved the idea behind reading lots of "Living Books". I did not like the idea of narration, and eliminating "twaddle" (or books that were not of educational value) because sometimes, you just want twaddle. So I integrated lots of living books into our homeschooling style. I was most intrigued by unschooling, but not bold and brave enough to leave the decisions about their education to my kids. However, I did make sure to leave lots of free time each day for them to follow the desires of their own hearts.

So that's basically the gist of eclectic homeschooling. First, you have to educate yourself about different types of homeschooling, and even try some of them. Then you need to take what you think works for your family, and leave the rest behind. Reconcile this in your mind, and possibly even on paper, and congratulations, you to are an eclectic homeschooler.