Homeschooling-methods-572

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.

The 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

curriculums 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 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.

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.

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.

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