One of the most foundational decisions you’ll make as a homeschool parent is how you’ll teach your children. Your chosen teaching style helps shape everything—from your daily rhythm and curriculum choices to how your children engage with learning. Some families prefer a highly structured, traditional approach, while others thrive in a flexible, child-led environment. Knowing your preferred teaching style (or combination of styles!) can bring clarity and confidence as you plan your year. It helps you stay focused on your family’s values, learning goals, and the unique needs of each child—rather than getting overwhelmed by the endless curriculum options out there. The good news? You don’t have to pick a style forever—you can evolve with your children and adjust as needed. But starting with a clear direction can set your homeschool year on a firm, joyful foundation.
Traditional
- Structured and school-like
- Parent teaches to the child
- Often uses textbooks and workbooks
- Follows grade-level standards for most subjects
- Classroom-style setup at home
- Routine and schedule resemble traditional school days
Classical
- Based on The Trivium—three stages of learning:
- Grammar (early years): memorization, absorbing facts
- Dialectic (middle years): asking questions, understanding how things connect
- Rhetoric (upper years): communicating effectively and thinking critically
- Strong focus on logic, language, and classical literature
- Emphasizes deep learning and lifelong skills
Unit Study
- Integrates multiple subjects around one central theme or topic
- Encourages curiosity, hands-on projects, field trips, and creativity
- Adaptable for different learning styles and age ranges
- Can include crafts, timelines, reading, writing, science experiments, and more—all connected to the main theme
- Ideal for families who enjoy learning together
Eclectic
- Mix-and-match approach
- Combines elements from various teaching styles and curriculums
- Flexible and personalized
- Families choose what works and leave what doesn’t
- Schedule, subjects, and methods can vary widely by child or subject
Montessori
- Child-centered and hands-on
- Encourages independence and self-paced learning
- Uses specially designed Montessori materials
- Often involves mixed-age learning and peer teaching
- Home life is incorporated into daily learning
- Most common in preschool and elementary years, but can be adapted for older students
Unschooling (or Self-Directed Learning)
- Highly flexible and child-led
- Learning flows from the child’s natural interests
- No formal curriculum or testing
- Trusts the child’s curiosity as a guide
- Education is woven into daily life
- Each family’s approach can look very different—this method is deeply personal and organic
You might find your family naturally leans toward one approach—or a combination! That’s the beauty of homeschooling: you can design a learning lifestyle that brings out the best in your kids and fits the heartbeat of your home.