For many people, homeschooling may call to mind the picture of two or three children sitting at a table and writing feverishly in their workbooks, while mom or dad stands nearby. This is the not entirely true. There are different methods of homeschooling, and the method you choose will outline your curriculum selection and your style of teaching. Given below is a snapshot of the most influential and popular homeschooling methods. This is not conclusive, but it is a start when determining what suits your family best. You may have to try out more than one before you see what works best.

The Charlotte Mason method:
Charlotte Mason is known as the founder of the homeschooling movement. A homeschooler herself, she was passionate in her zeal to lay out the foundations for an effective and complete homeschooling program that is fun and educational at the same time. This method focuses on all the core subjects with emphasis placed on classical literature, poetry, fine arts, classical music and craft. Mason used a variety of books from classical literature, which she called 'Living Books'. Since this method encourages a passionate awareness of literature, the child is read to daily from the 'Living Books'. After this, the child is asked to narrate what she has heard. This process begins at the age of six, and by ten the child is expected to write her narrations in her book. Mason also advocated the use of 'Nature Diaries'. After each short and interesting lesson, the child is asked to go to nature and draw observations. The child gains a sense of respect for her environment. Mason believed that development of good character and behavior was essential to the complete development of the child's personality.

The Eclectic Homeschooling:
Eclectic homeschooling is a combining of elements from a variety of sources or in other words, a mixture of various homeschooling techniques. Here, the innovative and creative parents mold their child's homeschool experience by trusting their own judgments, often relying on moral and spiritually-based convictions. They are free to pick out the topics that make the best curriculum for their child. Such parents continuously look out for the best products that will meet the needs of their homeschoolers. Most Eclectic homeschooling curriculums are improvised. This means that the basic curriculum is ready-made. The parents then make changes in the curriculum to accommodate the individual needs and interests of their children. The child's gifts, temperament, learning style and interests dictate the curriculum. Eclectic programs include visits to the museum, libraries and factories.

Unschooling:
A Boston public educator name John Holt laid the beginnings of the Unschooling method. He believed that children learned best when they are free to learn at their own pace and when they are guided by their own interests. His message was to 'unschool' the child. This method is a hands-on approach to learning, where the parent takes definite cues from the children. There is no definite curriculum, schedules or materials. This method is the most unstructured of the various homeschooling techniques.The philosophy of this method says that children have a built-indesire to learn and will be drawn to the subjects that most fascinate them. Instead of teaching for the purpose of being tested,like in many public school systems, this method teaches to learn by putting the student in the driver's seat. By making schoolfun and interesting again, unschool students enjoy the learning process and in turn, thrive.

The Montessori Method:
Founded by European pediatrician, Dr. Maria Montessori, this method helps students acquire knowledge through a controlled cultured environment. She believed that children were born with intelligence and vast potential, an enormous capacity to absorb the culture around them.It was observed that children have acute sensitive periods of intense concentration. During such phases, a child will repeat an activity till he gains a measure of self-satisfaction. The Montessori method depends on a prepared environment to facilitate learning. All the materials used in this method are designed to satisfy the inner desire for the spiritual development of the child. The materials used progress from simple to complex, and can be expensive. The goal of this method is that they learn without the feeling of being taught.

These are just a few of the methods of homeschooling. Whatever the method, the underlying factor is flexibility and a keen interest in the desires of the child. The beauty of homeschooling is that you as a parent get to choose.