The eclectic method of homeschooling is not a method you can follow step by step. There is no scope and sequence for you to follow. It involves extracting what you feel are the best elements from all of the methods and curriculum publishers and using those in your homeschool. Eclectic homeschooling is a relaxed approach many homeschoolers prefer as it allows you to tailor each child’s education according to their interests, needs, and learning styles.

The hardest part of eclectic homeschooling is the process of trial and error as you figure out what works best for each of your kids. It involves reading a lot of reviews and talking to other homeschoolers to learn about curriculum, and then comparing each one to the child who will be using it. When you are talking to other homeschoolers, consider their homeschooling style and method and how it compares to your child(ren). They might like it, but that doesn’t mean you or your kids will.

Money will be spent on curriculum you end up not liking. Don’t beat yourself up over it. Chalk it up to part of your education costs, celebrate a gain in wisdom as a home educator, and move on. You can shop for curriculum and resell whatever you end up not using in our used curriculum marketplace.

Eclectic homeschoolers run the risk of driving ourselves crazy. I have found myself digging into learning all I can about the various methods and perpetually second guessing what I am doing and what my kids are missing. I have lost precious time having fun learning with my kids because I was over-educating myself on the different styles of homeschooling. Make a plan and stick to it, until you find something needs to change, then address those issues only. “Don’t fix what ain’t broke” and “don’t borrow trouble that isn’t there.” Spending quality time together with the books and curriculum you have will produce good academic fruit. Continuously throwing out books and changing things up will make you and your kids crazy, and it might discourage them. Perpetually questioning yourself and beating yourself up over what you might be missing is detrimental to the peace in your home, relationships with your kids, and the learning environment you establish. Make the best choices you can and go for it!

To learn more about different curriculum choices and to read reviews to see how they are likely to suit your family go to Cathy Duffy Homeschool Curriculum Reviews.