March 11, 2026 – What is an Eclectic Education?

Mercy Every Minute

Deborah Wuehler, TOS Senior Editor

It’s What We All Strive For

There are many styles and methods of homeschooling, and not everyone fits in a simple category. In fact, some of us fit in several categories. We could be a mix of “relaxed schooling” or “unschooling” while also implementing a “Charlotte Mason” philosophy of nature journaling and narration. We could teach from a more “classical education” style, but also make use of “unit studies” for certain subjects. The freedom homeschooling allows removes the one-size-fits-all idea of public education. 

An eclectic homeschooler is one who uses varied styles, methods, and curriculum, and they pull from many places instead of just one in order to teach their children. They are creating an “Individualized Education Plan” for each student. And nothing can be better for that student than to learn subjects they have interest in, and to learn them in a manner best for their learning style. 

I started out as a “traditional textbook” homeschooler, and soon realized that a couple of my children could not handle that structure and style and amount of work. Eventually, I looked at each of my eight children’s interests and abilities and learning styles and developed an individual plan for each one. Some stayed with those textbooks and workbooks, two moved to “literature-based learning” gaining much from good classic and Christian books and copywork. Some were very hands-on learners so I added many kinds of projects and how-to books to their lineup, and some learned best with audio books, video documentaries, and online math tutors who explained the problems. 

How did I do this with eight children? I kept the structure and schedule simple. 

Structure: Each student had their own large crate that held their books/CDs, science projects, literature books, history curriculum, audiobooks, art projects, and whatever out-of-the-box learning resources I could find that matched what they loved or needed to learn that semester. Periodically, I looked through each crate, evaluated progress, and replaced what was finished with something new.  

Schedule: In the front of each child’s crate was a clipboard with their own weekly chart listing each of their subjects (and chores in between) down the left side. Once they checked everything off for a day, they had free time to follow their hobbies and interests. 

I’d say an eclectic approach to education is what we all strive for: understanding our student and finding the best resources for them to succeed. 

God will give you all you need to do all He has called you to do! 

~Deborah

More from the pages of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine:

Eclectic Homeschooling by Diana Waring
Taking an Eclectic Approach to History by Kristen Heider
Unexpected Expectations by Douglas Pietersma

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You Can Homeschool. We Can Help! What’s your story? Join the conversation at ClassicalConversations.com/TOS

Hal and Melanie Young

What is an Eclectic Education?

Do you ever hear people say, “I follow the Charlotte Mason method,” or “classical approach” or “unschooling”? There are different philosophies of homeschooling, and materials tend to fall into one or another of them. What does it mean, though, if someone says, “Well, we’re eclectic in our approach?” That means they use materials from a variety of different philosophies to put together something unique for their family.

To a point, we’re all eclectic homeschoolers. For example, many folks, no matter their approach, buy traditional math and science textbooks for their kids in high school—it’s just the most straightforward way. And if you have more than one child, you’ve probably found a resource you used with your oldest that absolutely didn’t work for the next child.

So, an eclectic education comes from an effort to figure out what works best for each family and each individual child. That’s a good thing. You might find the curriculum you loved for years just doesn’t work when you are suddenly dealing with a long-term illness or a cross-country move—and that’s okay!

When our kids were young, we used to worry their education would have gaps if we weren’t perfectly consistent, but we’ve learned that if they really need something, it’ll come up and we’ll address it then. It works out, really! Don’t be afraid to make changes and choose what seems best—flexibility is one of the biggest benefits of homeschooling!

Your friends,

Hal & Melanie

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About the author

Hal and Melanie Young have been homeschooling almost as long as they’ve been married, and they’re still happy with both decisions! They wrote My Beloved and My Friend: How to Be Married to Your Best Friend Without Changing Spouses to encourage their young adults – find out more at raisingrealmen.com.

Help your child build a solid, faith-filled foundation for the road ahead with BJU Press Homeschool. bjupresshomeschool.com

Stephanie Morrison

Eclectic Home Education

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About the author

Pursuing her calling to help parents enjoy the responsibility of educating their children, Steph works with clients in the home education industry, and helps entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses from home. She and her family are perfectly placed in the prairies of Saskatchewan, Canada. She loves being a homebody and building up her permaculture property. www.CreatingWorkandPlay.com

Beth Mora

The Best of the Best!

It’s a beautiful thing to have so many homeschool choices! I have read all the core homeschooling how-to books and articles. I can’t lie. I love them all, and I often re-read my favorites because they inspire me to be a better home educator. I love classical education and Charlotte Mason. I see value in some aspects of traditional education. I take a lot from Montessori and Waldorf methods. I glean from many bloggers and podcasters. I take a little bit of this and a little bit of that and craft an educational plan that fits our family flow, aligns with our children’s learning types, and dovetails perfectly with my God-given teaching style. 

And let’s face it, we are all, to one degree or another, eclectic home educators. None of us is a purist! That’s because the passion that unites us is not the method but the very ones we serve. 

Our passion? Our children! 

I have eight beautiful children. I purposely focus only on the task God has given me: discipling my eight children, not yours but mine. And each of my children has their own unique way of learning and taking in information. So I will search high and low for the keys to unlock those ah-ha moments that I am personally addicted to. We have to be eclectic home educators because we all have eclectic kids! I am a champion for my child to get the best of the best! And I can bet you are too!

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About the author

Beth Mora is a staff writer for The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine and lesson designer for SchoolhouseTeachers.com. She is the creator/teacher-on-camera for Here to Help Learning’s Homeschool Writing Program Grades 1-6, and a homeschool conference and women’s events speaker. Her blog, Home To Home, is one of her favorite places to encourage others. Everything she does is done to honor her Lord and Savior, Jesus.

An eclectic education blends the best of multiple teaching styles into one flexible approach that fits your family. By mixing structure with creativity and academics with real-life learning, parents can meet each child’s needs without being boxed into a single method. SchoolhouseTeachers.com supports eclectic homeschooling by offering a wide range of adaptable courses that work together seamlessly. Try our Unit Studies page for inspiration!