How To Find Your Homeschooling Style?

homeschooling method is a form of education in which children are educated at home by their parents, rather than attending a public or private school. Homeschooling can be an excellent way to provide your children with a high-quality education, tailored specifically to their individual needs and interests.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when considering homeschooling as an educational option for your family.

There is no one “best” homeschooling method, as each family’s needs and preferences are unique. Some families prefer a more traditional approach, with parents teaching all of the subjects themselves. Others use a more relaxed approach, incorporating a mix of online and offline resources. And still, others choose to hire a private tutor or take classes at a local homeschooling co-op.

Hybrid model - a mix of homeschooling and traditional schooling. Where kids can do an online schooling curriculum at home but go to a physical school for 1-2 days per week.

or can do 2-3 hours of online school work at home and the rest of the day they are free to do other activities. My son has a similar  set up where he does 3 hours of online schooling in the morning and then we have the rest of the day to do other activities

Structured model - a more traditional approach where parents teach all of the subjects themselves. This can be done by following a set curriculum or by creating your own lesson plans. Parents may choose to research the best curriculum that suits their needs and interests.

This is one of the most common ways people homeschool. Parents may spend time creating worksheets, finding online resources, and planning lessons.

Unstructured model - a more relaxed approach like unschooling where the focus is on learning through everyday experiences and activities. This can include things like trips to the library, museums, and parks, as well as educational games and activities at home. Families who choose this approach often create their own curriculum or find resources online.

Unschoolers give them the freedom to kids to decide their day and what they want to learn. There is no pressure on assessments or learning specific subjects. A learner is trusted  to follow their interests and learning will happen as a result.

Road schooling- schooling on the go. Where kids are homeschooled but also travel and learn through experiences. Learning is integrated into travel, the people they meet,  and the things they do. I recently had an opportunity to talk to Mr. Gangadhar, a well-known road schooling family, and he told me that "It is a great way to learn with kids. It helps children to be better human beings first, and then good citizens of the world."

Entrepreneurial schooling- this approach is for kids who want to be homeschooled but also want to run their own businesses. This could look like a traditional homeschooling curriculum with an emphasis on business skills, or it could be entirely self-directed, with the student choosing what they want to learn and when they want to work. I have a friend who was quite interested in his father's business from an early age. He would sit in on business meetings and phone calls from a very young age. Around the age of 10, he started taking notes and asking questions. By the time he was 13, he was helping his father run the business selling products online.

Blended model- this is a mix of homeschooling and unschooling. Families who choose this approach often use a combination of traditional and non-traditional resources. This can include things like online courses, tutors, and co-ops for structure, along with unschooling methods like learning through everyday experiences.

Your child can choose to pick classes they like for example music, dance, or sports and parents can look for tutors to help with other subjects.

Community schooling - this is where families come together to create their own mini-school. This could be a co-op, where families take turns teaching classes, or it could be a more informal arrangement where families share resources and learning opportunities. This approach can be beneficial for both parents and kids, as it provides social interaction and support from other homeschooling families. Many online resources and support groups are available for community schooling. This helps parents and students to find like-minded people and make friends.

Schooling led by pure interest- In this type of homeschooling, the learner picks what they want to learn and when they want to learn it. For example, a child has identified his/her interests in coding, so the parent helps the child to find resources and books on coding, and the child works on coding projects whenever he/she feels like it. The child is further mentored by an experienced coder through online resources or in person.

Likewise, a child might have an interest in insects,  so the parent helps the child to find resources and books on insects, and the child works on projects related to insects whenever he/she feels like it. The child is further mentored by an experienced entomologist through online resources or in person. This especially works when kids feel sure about their interests and are self-motivated.

Schooling and unschooling or vice versa- A child might want to go to a traditional school after a few years of unschooling or vice versa. Some parents who talk to me about their experience with unschooling say that after a few years, they found that their kids were bored and needed more structure. So, they decided to send their kids to school. On the other hand, some parents find that their kids need a break from traditional schooling and want to try unschooling for a while. In both cases, it is important to listen to your child and see what they need.

There are many other ways to homeschool, Talk to other homeschooling families, read books and articles on homeschooling, and experiment until you find a method that works for you.

There are many benefits to homeschooling, including the ability to customize your child’s education, cater to their individual learning style, and provide a more nurturing and supportive environment.

Homeschooling requires a significant commitment from both parents and children. It is important to be sure that you are prepared to make the commitment before starting.

Whatever method you choose, be sure to research homeschooling laws in your state, as they can vary significantly from one location to another. In some states, homeschooling is highly regulated, while in others it is relatively free-form. Make sure