Seven Success Tips for the Eclectic Homeschooler

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According to a recent Homeschool.com survey, eclectic homeschooling is the homeschooling style used by most homeschoolers. Basically, the eclectic method is a mix-and-match or combination approach to homeschooling in which you determine your child’s learning style and interests and then find the curricula that work for you.

We have put together a list of seven success tips for the eclectic homeschooler that we believe will make your homeschooling better, easier and more fun.

1) Learn about the various homeschooling methods. You can borrow what you like from many different styles. For example, you can keep a nature journal like they do in the Charlotte Mason method, do an occasional unit study where all the kids learn about the same topic, take an online class, or take a DVD algebra course. You can combine whatever you like to create a homeschooling style that works for your family. Homeschool.com has an excellent Eclectic Getting Started Kit.

2) Identify your child's learning style. A free "learning styles inventory" is available from www.HowToLearn.com. Basically, what you want to do is observe your child and look for the ways that she naturally seems to learn best. Does your child love audio books? If so, then you may have an auditory learner on your hands and will want to look for auditory spelling programs, books on tape, etc. Is your child building and taking apart things all the time? Then your child may be a kinesthetic learner and you will want to give him opportunities to show what he knows by building dioramas, putting together poster board displays, etc. Or does your child thrive on workbooks and seem to learn best when she can read it herself? Find out how your child learns best and utilize his or her strengths.

3) Find out what your child's interests and goals are for the upcoming semester. Make it a habit to ask your child what he wants to learn about this semester and what he wants to do. If he answers you with “I don’t know” then you can play a little game with him. Ask the child a series of questions and ask him to rate each one from 1 to 10, with ten being the highest and representing something he would REALLY, REALLY want to do. For example:

Q: On a scale of 1-10, how much do you want to learn Latin?

Q: On a scale of 1-10, how much do you want to learn about different wars?

Q: How much interest do you have in learning a musical instrument? Which one?

You get the idea. This is a fun exercise and really helps you to get to know your child better, especially if you ask these questions while out on a special date together, just the two of you.

4) Choose products that work with your child's learning style and interests. We’ve all spent money on products that just don’t work for our children. That’s okay. The eclectic method involves a lot of trial and error. Pass on to another family the products that aren’t working for you, and keep looking for the types of products that work best for you.

5) Take time for field trips. Take time to explore your community. Homeschoolers have a big advantage over schools when it comes to fieldtrips. Schools send out so many students at a time that the trip becomes a “crowd control issue” for the staff at the field trip location. When you take a field trip as a smaller group, you’ll find the staff at most sites excited to receive you. They can take the time to personalize the tour much more and can answer your children’s personal questions. Perhaps you can designate one day a week as “Field Trip Friday” where you go out together to explore local museums, farms, zoos, firehouses, restaurant kitchens–you name it! Field Trips

6) Incorporate educational games into your curriculum. Just for the fun of it, ask your child to show what he's learned about a topic by creating his own game. He can make up a game about bugs, the human body, famous artists, wars, dogs, or anything else he's have been learning about. How about making up a “Family Tree” game and sending out copies to everyone for Christmas? Homemade games are great fun and your children will remember their game forever.

7) Add audio tapes and educational DVDs to your homeschooling. The library has audio books for all ages and subject areas–for FREE. You can listen to classic books while on the road or the kids can listen to their favorite books on tape through an inexpensive Walkman. You may also find that YOU start listening to great books yourself while cooking dinner, tidying the house and running errands. Educational DVDs also make a nice addition to the curriculum.

This article originally appeared in Homeschool.com's e-newsletter which you can subscribe to for free at: www.homeschool.com/subscribe.