Minimalist homeschooling is a growing movement among homeschoolers who want to prepare their children, meet goals, and maintain their sanity. I mean, isn’t that what every homeschooler is looking for? So of course, everyone is eager to know what Minimalist homeschooling is.
Well, I wrote a book on what it is, and I have blogged a whole lot about what minimalist homeschooling is, but there seem to be some common misconceptions. So, I’m here to talk today about what minimalist homeschooling is NOT.
Listen to this post here:
OK, the 25th Minimalist Homeschool Mindset Hack from the book is: Minimalist homeschooling is about how you school, not what you teach, or what you use.
1. Minimalist homeschooling is NOT a prescribed schedule or curriculum.
One of the most popular posts on this blog continues to be a sample minimalist homeschooling schedule for combining Charlotte Mason and Classical Conversations. That post is intended to illustrate how minimalist principles can be applied to ANY homeschool.
Unfortunately, I fear many people see that schedule as the way to minimally homeschool. Nope. There is no set schedule, or prescribed curriculum. Minimalist homeschooling is not just about combining CM and CC. Nor is minimalist homeschooling about only doing reading, writing, and math.
Minimalist homeschooling IS about identifying a select number of your most valuable things, and making them happen excellently. You decide what those most important things are. And, how you schedule being awesome at the most important things is completely flexible.
Which brings me to my next point…
2. Minimalist homeschooling is NOT “relaxed homeschooling.”
If you’re looking for a synonym, I’d say minimalist homeschooling is more about “intentional” homeschooling than “relaxed” homeschooling, and here’s why:
Minimalist homeschoolers spend a lot of time and thought in the front-end process of their homeschool, before even one book is bought or opened. “Relaxed” homeschooling has a come-what-may feel to it; a sense that everyone is just chilling and doing their thing as it comes along.
While minimalist homeschooling DOES advocate tons of free time to pursue interests independently, that is the byproduct of being very intentional about doing those most important things really well, and really efficiently
In minimalist homeschooling, we’re filling an education with what is most needed and loved, and rockin’ those things (and getting rid of the extra). Pretty cool, right? Maybe you could call it “rockin’ homeschooling,” or “awesome homeschooling”… but “relaxed” doesn’t quite do it justice.
3. Minimalist Homeschooling is NOT being a minimalist and a homeschooler.
There are people who are minimalist in their homes, but still hoard all the facts, curricula, subjects, activities, lessons, and/or books. All. the. homeschooling things. These are NOT minimalist homeschoolers – they are minimalists who happen to homeschool.
And, there are people who have a minimalist approach to homeschooling, but live in a home filled with extra. These ARE minimalist homeschoolers, although they are not minimalists.
In short, minimalist homeschooling means that you apply minimalist principles to your homeschool, and you may or may not also apply those principles to your home. Oftentimes minimalism in one area will inspire minimalism in other areas, but minimalism and minimalist homeschooling can exist independent of one another.
4. Minimalist homeschooling does NOT inherently leave gaps in anyone’s education.
Here’s how minimalist homeschooling goes: when you realize your child needs to know more about something than they currently do, you do it. Seriously, it’s that simple.
If you sense neglect in an important area, you shift your focus to remedy that weakness until you are satisfied that it will not prevent your child from reaching their potential. Problem solved.
Do you follow? Your child will only have gaps in their education if you choose for them to have a gap in their education.
The confusion comes from an emphasis on prioritizing – minimalist homeschoolers focus on the most needed and most loved subjects and activities for a specific period of time. However, keep in mind that we change and revisit those priorities with every new season – changing our focus in accordance with our child’s changing needs and interests (and some other factors, too). So you are never bound to the same subjects for long, unless you want to be.
Also, I never learned to play any instruments. I don’t remember hardly any history I ever learned, or famous literature I read. So, do I have gaps in knowledge? Yes. I can tell you a boatload about neuroanatomy and neurophysiology, but could I help you with biochemistry homework? Probably not much. Have I made my point? Gaps are an odd thing to even think about in my opinion. Gaps in knowledge are an unavoidable human condition, right? Instead, think about preparing your child to reach their highest potential – whether that means high test scores, or trade expertise, or any other number of valuable goals.
My bigger point is this: there are no gaps unless you choose to completely omit something for the entire length of your child’s education. Your choice.
5. Minimalist homeschooling is NOT ALL about group lessons… or individual lessons, or independent learning…
Many people saw my post on how I happen to get our most important things done with 4 children at different levels right now. We sit at the table together for “table time,” and each child works on their specific (and separate) most important things. Basically, I work individually with each child, starting with the youngest, while being available for the older ones.
This does NOT mean that you have to do your most important things at “table time.” This does NOT mean that minimalist homeschooling is all about group study (my children are not studying the same things during this time). It also does NOT mean that minimalist homeschooling advocates only individual lessons. And, my example certainly does NOT mean that you should scrap a minimalist homeschooling mindset just because your family dynamic would not survive “table time.”
Minimalist Homeschooling gives everyone permission to do what they do best. Check out this post on focusing on your own strengths to bust this myth that you have to do it my (or anyone else’s) way.
6. Minimalist homeschooling is NOT about just what you need.
Minimalist Homeschooling is about what you need and what you love. That second part is important. What our children love is indicative of their strengths and talents – those traits unique to them that will enable them to leave their mark in the world.
What is loved takes equal importance to what is needed. It is important to me that the loved things not be lost in the pursuit of excellence, or preparedness.
7. Minimalist homeschooling is NOT a major overhaul of what you are already doing.
You may really like some (or a lot) of the things you currently do in your homeschool. You may just hate the busyness, or the stress, or the pressure, or the doubt. Minimalist homeschoolong does NOT require you to throw everything out the window and start over.
Instead, there are baby steps that you can take to move toward a more minimalist homeschool. Or, if you’re all in for the major overhaul, you can follow simple steps that are all laid out for you to create a completely minimal homeschool – oftentimes filled with the things you already have!
Here are 10 quick ways to simplify your space today.
Yes, you have the freedom to tweak your homeschool as you go along… and minimalist homeschooling offers a framework so you can do the most effective tweaking.
8. Minimalist homeschooling is NOT the bare minimum, or doing nothing.
While minimalism is all about having as little as possible, it is not about deprivation to the point of hating life, having nothing to wear, and sustaining yourself on bread and water. It is about having just enough of what you TRULY need and love.
And so, minimalist homeschooling is not about deprivation; feeling like your homeschool is non-existent, unenjoyable, or basic. It’s about having just enough of what is TRULY needed and loved in your supplies, subjects, and schedule. It is about trusting, and enjoying the open space.
What to remember about what Minimalist Homeschooling is, and is NOT:
Minimalist Homeschooling is written by a former overwhelmed homeschooler, and therefore, it is designed for homeschoolers who are looking to achieve their goals while simplifying.
I don’t like dogmatic rules, or one-size-fits-all solutions.
Although the goal is learning, the additional benefits of this method are: confidence, clarity, focus, and less stress. Children really can learn more by doing less!
What Other Questions Do You Have? What Other Myths Have You Heard? Comment Below, I’d love to discuss!
How Can I Help?
Hi there! I’m here to help overwhelmed moms who are trying to do it all, and feel like they’re not doing “enough,” or doing it “right.” If you’re looking for a method of homeschooling that gives you a sense of meaningful success, here are a few options:
- Sign up to be notified when new posts like these come up. I won’t lie, you’ll also get all the freebies and all the deep thoughts. Today you’ll get a free space-simplifying quick-guide, with 10 ways to start simplifying your homeschool space and supplies ninja-style. Then, you’ll keep getting freebies, because that’s how I roll.
- Check-out the book in audio or on Amazon, Minimalist Homeschooling: A values-based approach to maximize learning and minimize stress. This is where you’ll find out everything about what minimalist homeschooling is… and is not.
- Come see us on facebook. There are plenty of homeschoolers on the same journey available to chat whenever you get a free minute.
Wishing you all of the simple things,
Zara
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