What’s right for your family?

One of the great freedoms of homeschooling is the ability to choose the approach that works best for your child and your family. But with that freedom comes a big question: Where do I start?

From structured curriculum programs to completely child-led learning, there are many paths to take and no single “right” way. In this blog, we’ll break down three common approaches to homeschooling to help you explore what feels like the best fit for your child’s needs, your teaching style, and your lifestyle.

Let’s jump into exploring different approaches to homeschooling.

1. All-in-one curriculum programs

All-in-one curriculum programs offer a full suite of resources across multiple subjects, often covering English, maths, science, history, and more in a single platform. Programs like Euka are designed to give homeschooling families everything they need in one place, with structured lesson plans, teaching materials, assessments, and reporting tools.

These programs are popular with families who want a clear roadmap and minimal prep. They often align with state or national curriculum requirements, making compliance and reporting easier.

Why choose this approach?

• Everything is in one place, no piecing together required
• Great for new homeschoolers or busy families
• Often aligned with curriculum requirements, which supports record-keeping and compliance

Best for:
Families who want an easy and convenient approach to homeschooling and need structure and support across all subjects, or prefer a set-and-go solution.

Things to consider:
While the convenience of a single platform is appealing, it may not always offer the best possible resource for every subject. Specialist areas like maths often require a more tailored approach. Many all-in-one programs include generic content that may not adapt to your child’s unique learning level or gaps in understanding, especially in subjects like maths that are cumulative and require deep conceptual learning. Choosing this option also means that if your child or family doesn’t like the approach, you’re locked in across every subject. 

2. Build-your-own curriculum

This approach gives you the freedom to select different resources, programs, and activities for each subject, so you can tailor your child’s education to their unique needs, interests, and pace. Rather than relying on one provider for everything, you hand-pick the best-fit options for your family.

For example, you might choose Maths Pathway Homeschool for maths, a creative writing program for English, and supplement science with hands-on kits or nature walks. You could pair this with local history materials or online platforms for coding, art, or foreign languages.

Why choose this approach?

• Total control over what and how your child learns
• Ability to choose the best resource for each subject
• Flexibility to adapt as your child’s interests or needs evolve
  

Best for:
Families who want a more customised learning experience and are comfortable sourcing and combining different materials. 

Things to consider:
Building your own curriculum does take more effort. You’ll need to research, plan, and pull together multiple resources, which can take extra time. However, the upside is significant, you get to select what you believe is the best option for every subject, rather than settling for a one-size-fits-all solution. You can also switch resources depending on your child’s changing needs or add in resources for new subjects your child is showing an interest in. 

3. Unschooling

Unschooling is a more radical departure from traditional education. Instead of following a set curriculum, unschooling is entirely child-led. Learning happens naturally through life, play, exploration, and conversations.

In an unschooling environment, children might learn maths through baking, budgeting, or games, rather than worksheets or formal lessons. Parents act as facilitators, helping to nurture curiosity and provide resources when needed.

Why choose this approach?

• Encourages natural curiosity, independence, and self-motivation
• Less pressure, more freedom to learn in context
• Highly adaptable to each child’s interests and pace
  

Best for: Families who value freedom, flexibility, and experiential learning and are comfortable with less structure.

Things to consider:
Unschooling requires a high level of trust in your child’s ability to guide their own learning. It can be harder to document learning outcomes or align with formal reporting requirements, especially in states with more structured homeschool regulations. Parents may also need to be more proactive in spotting and supporting gaps in core skills like maths and literacy to ensure a well-rounded education.

So… which approach is best?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Many families blend approaches, starting with a structured program and adding flexibility over time. Some children thrive with clear routines and progression, while others shine with a bit more autonomy and creativity.

If you’re looking for a balance between structure and flexibility, an all-in-one program like Maths Pathway Homeschool can offer a strong maths foundation while freeing up your time to focus on other subjects, interests, or learning styles.