Minimalist Homeschooling: A values-based approach to maximize learning and minimize stress

by Zara Fagen

Minimalist homeschooling is not about taking the easy route or being lazy! Minimalist homeschooling is not squeaking by with the bare minimum, or ignoring education until it is a necessity.

I want to stop here for a minute to clarify that minimalist homeschooling is still about excellence. The main difference between minimalist homeschooling and typical homeschooling is that minimalist homeschooling gives the most important tasks top priority. Minimalist homeschooling does not just follow someone else’s checklist; it follows our own educational priorities.

Success is giving your best to the most important things.

study. First, consider how you would fill in this sentence: “At least I… today?” Writing every day has really helped me center my life on my priorities. It has helped my self-esteem, because being able to say “at least I wrote a few pages today,” removes any self-doubt about my productivity. What is the thing you want to do in your homeschooling that would keep your own self-doubt at bay? How does your “At least I….” statement sound?

Most homeschoolers have a bucket list of things that they have been meaning to do, for which they have never found the time. Minimalist homeschoolers are able to discern whether those items have not been done because they actually aren’t high-value. The truth is, if you are using a focused minimalist homeschooling approach, you do have plenty of time to do other valuable things.