When you choose something, do you like to have a wide variety to choose from, whether it is for your furniture, food, music, etc.? If so, then you could easily instill these same preferences and choices into your homeschooling style. Offer your child the best of all the worlds – eclectic homeschooling.

What Is "Eclectic" Homeschooling?
A traditional definition of "eclectic" from the Webster's Unabridged English Dictionary says, "Made up of or combining elements from a variety of sources." So it is only fitting to say that an eclectic homeschooler is one who looks at the different approaches and methods of homeschooling and takes from each forming his/her own unique philosophy.

"An eclectic homeschooler may like the concept, adapted from the unschooling method, that education should be child oriented," says Terry McKee, an eclectic homeschooling advocate from Eclectic, Ala. "He/she will possibly draw from the classical approach by familiarizing his/her child with grammar, logic and rhetoric. The eclectic homeschooler may utilize unit studies to his/her own degree their maximum effectiveness, using them to help his/her child choose what will be his/her vocation or occupation in life. He/she probably will seek out living books, like Charlotte Mason suggested, though choosing only the classics that he/she deems worthy and appealing to him/her and his/her family."

The eclectic approach can also include developing moral character, with some choosing to do so through a variety of ways and those that best meet the needs of the family. "Eclectic homeschoolers may choose the approach of the relaxed homeschooler, allowing the child to learn at [their] own pace especially in the child's early years," says McKee. "Then he may opt to speed his child through the rest of school, using a structured textbook curriculum in preparation for college. And finally (at least for now) the modern eclectic homeschooler may decide to step up to the computer age, selecting some quality software that is fun and educational."

Strive to Be Different
Some experts and homeschoolers say that homeschooling can be compared to building a wall. While some prefer the uniformity of bricks to build their wall, others turn the building of the wall over to the ones who will live inside of it – their children. The latter will do their best in providing their children with an assortment of building materials and assistance when requested.

"Eclectic homeschoolers start with a foundation of their own views about what makes a person well educated," says Beverly S. Krueger, director of the Eclectic Homeschool Association. "To that foundation they will add stones that are similar but of different shape and size, selecting each stone to fit in a particular spot, removing a stone that wiggles too much and shifting a stone to create a tighter fit. The result is a functional stone wall of great beauty and strength. Eclectic homeschoolers strive for a functional education that helps their children become people of great inner beauty and strength."

Benefits?
One of the most common benefits of eclectic homeschooling is the fact that the children have the majority of say in what they do, study, learn and develop. While parents will offer some basic rules or "must dos," allowing children to determine their own course of study often keeps them motivated, interested and striving to accomplish more.

"Most of the eclectic folks I know might insist their children do some math and language arts workbook stuff as basic study," says Shay Seaborne, moderator of the Virginia Eclectic Homeschooling Organization. "The parents may even choose which period of history the child will study. However, the children are then allowed to determine which history books to use and projects to make. They may let the kids decide what science or art areas they'll discover. It is a nice balance, and many parents feel most comfortable having some say in what is covered and when. But the benefit of allowing the child to determine their own course is still there, resulting in a much more involved student."

Drawbacks?
As in many aspects of life, nothing is all "good," even a great concept such as eclectic homeschooling. There are some drawbacks to this untraditional mode of teaching, the most common being the fact that many children thrive on routine, and routine is not an ingredient in eclectic homeschooling.

"As for curriculum, an eclectic homeschooler rarely uses a resource exactly as the instructions indicate," says McKee. "He will take the information and mold it, restructuring it to glean what he needs most from it. The options, directions, and/or content may be change a little – or a lot. And absolutely everything can be considered curriculum. There is not much room for repetition or routine."

An important word that is often used when referring to this particular method of homeschooling is "seems." Eclectic homeschoolers use what "seems" best at the time. And as we all know, things are not always what they seem.

"The choices eclectic homeschoolers make are not erratic," says Krueger. "The methods and resources they select to use are chosen to further the educational goals they have for their children. Their children's temperaments, gifts and learning styles are all taken into account in determining how they will homeschool and what they will use. Occasionally, what seems best does not actually work out to be best. It can be frustrating and expensive to buy something that does not work. On the other hand, it can be frustrating to a child to continue doing something that they dread."

Resources?
The world is a resource for eclectic homeschoolers. As previously mentioned, everything can be molded or formed into some kind of curriculum – and often is.

"To avoid making mistakes, most eclectic homeschoolers are resource scavengers," says Krueger. "They want to know what you are using and why. If you stopped using something they are considering buying, they want to know why you stopped. If someone says they have a list of resources for a study on the middle ages, they want a copy. If you are looking for a particular item, they'll know right where to find it in one of the catalogs they have stacked in a pile. When someone begins a discussion of a particular way of homeschooling, they are all ears, listening for new ideas or a different angle on an old idea. Everything, everyone, every place is a resource."

But Is It for You?
When considering whether or not eclectic homeschooling is what your family is looking for, there are many aspects and concepts to keep in mind.

For example, the eclectic homeschooler considers that there is a time for everything, and it is up to him to consider the right time for everything to do with his family. "An eclectic homeschooler is flexible, knowing that each day of homeschooling brings new challenges and opportunities," says McKee. "And he must always be looking for open doors and what works best for his child. The eclectic homeschooler usually recognizes we are all unique individuals, right down to our very own DNA building blocks. Eclectic homeschoolers recognize that each individual has a soul that will live throughout eternity. And as parents, [the higher power] will hold us accountable for our part in raising children, so we must consider each child's unique needs."

An eclectic homeschooler will gladly share what he knows, but will be the first to tell you that you must find your own way, that no one else's formula will be the best for you. "Only you can know what is best for your family," says McKee. "The freedom that homeschooling can offer is there – if you have the courage to take it. Are you an eclectic homeschooler?"

Want to see more?

• Homeschooling: Leaving the System to Create Your Own
• A Magical Garden: A New Approach to Learning
• Is Your Preschooler Gifted?
• Talk about it!