{"id":3686,"date":"2023-01-20T02:37:28","date_gmt":"2023-01-20T02:37:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.staging.miacademy.co\/?page_id=3686"},"modified":"2026-05-12T21:57:57","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T21:57:57","slug":"the-eclectic-homeschool-style","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/miacademy.co\/homeschool-curriculum\/homeschooling-your-way\/homeschool-styles\/the-eclectic-homeschool-style\/","title":{"rendered":"The Eclectic Homeschool Style"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you\u2019re beginning your homeschool journey<\/a>, you may have come across the phrase \u201ceclectic homeschooling.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This highly individualized approach allows you to perfectly tailor your child\u2019s curriculum, taking into account their strengths, preferences, and interests! Perfect for families seeking flexibility, the eclectic homeschool approach gives you the best of all <\/em>worlds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is Eclectic Homeschooling?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Eclectic homeschooling is an approach to homeschool that involves, according to Merriam-Webster, \u201cselecting what appears to be best in various doctrines, methods, or styles.\u201d There is no such thing as one-size-fits-all learning, and eclectic homeschooling allows you to meet your child where they\u2019re at!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The phrase \u201ceclectic homeschooling\u201d is sometimes used interchangeably with \u201crelaxed homeschooling.\u201d Relaxed homeschoolers typically choose one of the homeschooling styles<\/a> and tweak it to meet their family\u2019s needs, whereas with eclectic homeschooling, you can borrow aspects from any combination of the homeschooling styles to create your own custom educational experience!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many parents are accidental eclectic homeschoolers. Tailoring your child\u2019s curriculum and schedule often happens organically during every family\u2019s homeschool journey. Eclectic homeschooling is more of a philosophy than a defined style: It really just involves noticing what works and what doesn\u2019t for your child and having a willingness to change it up when needed!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Start Homeschooling with the Eclectic Homeschooling Method<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No two families who choose the eclectic approach to homeschooling will be exactly the same; in fact, they may just be polar opposites!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the main things you\u2019ll want to keep in mind is to pay close attention to what\u2019s working and what isn\u2019t. While there is no right or wrong way to homeschool eclectically, there are a few steps you\u2019ll want to take:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Research your state\u2019s <\/strong>homeschooling laws<\/strong><\/a>. <\/strong>Some states have more relaxed laws, while others have laws regarding instruction hours, required subjects, and\/or any standardized testing requirements.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Set goals. <\/strong>These can be academic, of course (e.g., scoring well on a standardized test, learning long division, etc.), but they can also be more personal (helping your child develop independence or confidence). These will lend structure to your child\u2019s education and help as a guide when you\u2019re deciding what should come next.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Connect with other homeschooling families. <\/strong>A key element to an eclectic homeschooling approach is to incorporate whatever works for your child \u2013 and one of the best ways to get ideas is from veteran homeschoolers! There are many groups and co-ops available to get involved with, both virtually and locally. These connections can be invaluable, especially for first-time homeschoolers!<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Research curricula and other learning materials. <\/strong>There is a plethora of homeschooling resources available online, from all-inclusive curriculum programs<\/a>, textbooks, lesson plans, and more. Keep in mind that you can always change course and try something new!\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Watch and learn!<\/strong> All you really need to be an eclectic homeschooling parent is the ability to observe your child, keep what works, and discard what doesn\u2019t. Many parents (especially those transitioning from public or private school) find it helpful to start with the traditional method<\/a>. From there, you can closely observe and see what keeps your child engaged and motivated, from the materials (e.g., textbooks vs. educational videos), lesson styles (e.g., hands-on experiments vs. assessments), to subject matter.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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    Is Eclectic Homeschool Right for My Family?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Wondering if this approach is right for your family? Here are some questions you may want to ask yourself first:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    How many children do you plan to homeschool? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    An eclectic homeschooling curriculum can work for families with any number of children, but if you are homeschooling more than one child, you may end up naturally taking this approach! This style allows you to efficiently teach children with differing interests, abilities, strengths, and weaknesses. If you\u2019re interested in eclectic homeschooling, online curricula can be the perfect way to meet the needs of multiple grade levels at once.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What are you looking to get out of homeschooling?<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    There are so many reasons to choose home education \u2013 and if you\u2019re looking for the ability to customize your child\u2019s education, as well as a low-stress learning environment (for you and<\/em> your child!), the eclectic homeschooling method might be the right choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What are your child\u2019s needs? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This approach to homeschool can help children thrive academically, no matter their learning needs or goals. Eclectic homeschooling is not about keeping or getting your child where they \u201cshould be\u201d – it\u2019s about supporting them wherever they are in their learning journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Eclectic Homeschooling With Miacademy<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Miacademy and MiaPrep can fit into any approach to home education \u2013 and this is especially true in the case of eclectic homeschooling! Miacademy\u2019s<\/a> flexibility makes it the best eclectic homeschool curriculum for grades K-8, while MiaPrep<\/a> is perfect for students working in grades 9-12.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Our programs were created with flexibility in mind and are totally customizable. Our parent portal allows parents to assign different grade levels for different subjects, assign and unassign everything from entire courses to specific assignments, adjust both school term and school days, and schedule breaks in advance. Once you\u2019ve assigned the coursework and set the schedule, your child is ready to log on and start learning!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Curious about how Miacademy<\/a> or MiaPrep<\/a> can support an eclectic approach to homeschooling? Contact our friendly customer support team any time. We\u2019d be happy to help you find out how Miacademy can become a part of your homeschool adventure!<\/p>\n\n\n