Homeschool methods explained: Charlotte Mason, classical, Montessori, unschooling and more

A set curriculum for each subject, often a boxed program or textbook series, followed in order with a daily timetable. It's the easiest approach to start with and makes record-keeping simple.

• Suits: families who want clear structure, children who like knowing what comes next, and parents new to teaching.
• Watch for: burnout from trying to recreate a full school day at home — most children need far fewer hours one-on-one.

Built around the trivium: a grammar stage of memorising facts in the early years, a logic stage of reasoning and argument in the middle years, and a rhetoric stage of expressing ideas persuasively in the teens. Typically heavy on history, literature, writing and often Latin.

• Suits: language-loving children and families who value a rigorous, chronological approach to history and great books.
• Watch for: the reading and writing load, especially for children who find literacy hard.

Based on the ideas of the 19th-century British educator Charlotte Mason: short lessons, "living books" written by passionate authors instead of dry textbooks, narration (the child tells back what they learned), nature study, art and music appreciation, and good habits.

• Suits: families who love reading aloud and the outdoors, and younger children who do well with short, varied lessons.
• Watch for: math and science may need a separate, more structured resource.

Based on the work of Maria Montessori: child-led learning with hands-on materials, a prepared environment, mixed activities the child chooses, and an adult who observes and guides rather than lectures. Most often used in the early and primary years.

• Suits: independent, hands-on younger learners.
• Watch for: the cost of materials (many can be made at home) and adapting the approach for older students.

Several subjects taught through one theme — for example, a unit on the ocean covering reading, writing, science, geography, art and math problems about tides. Popular with families teaching children of different ages together.

• Suits: multi-age families and children who learn best through connected projects.
• Watch for: gaps in sequential subjects like math and phonics — most families keep those separate.

Learning follows the child's interests and everyday life rather than a set curriculum. The parent provides resources, experiences and support. Many families use a gentler "relaxed" or interest-led version alongside some structured core work.

• Suits: curious, self-motivated children and families comfortable with less predictability.
• Watch for: your local requirements — you still need to show the learning that's happening, so keep good records.

Online courses, live virtual classes, tutoring and video lessons can carry some or most subjects, with the parent supervising and filling gaps. Useful for senior subjects and when a parent can't teach everything.

• Suits: older and independent learners, and busy families.
• Watch for: screen time, cost, and making sure there's still discussion, hands-on work and time outdoors.

Most homeschoolers end up eclectic: a structured math and reading program, Charlotte Mason-style read-alouds and nature study, a unit study or two, and plenty of interest-led projects. Start with one approach, notice what works for your child, and adjust.

• Start with your child: how they learn, what they love, what they find hard.
• Be honest about your time and how much planning you want to do.
• Check your local rules — they set what must be covered or recorded, not which method you use.
• Try before you buy: borrow books from the library, use free lessons, and organize a few weeks as a trial before investing in a full curriculum.