Homeschool socialization and how to make homeschool friends may be a big concern for you. Find out why you don’t need to be worried about homeschool and socialization IF you follow these steps and understand the truth about kids socializing and how to make friends when homeschooled.
Homeschooling Causes Socialization Problems?
Socialization for homeschoolers and the social disadvantages of homeschooling probably make up one of the most common myths about homeschooling.
And, the homeschool socialization myth is easily one of the top homeschooling concerns for some parents.
(It may even be one of your concerns if you’re new to homeschooling!)
So, let’s just get to what about socialization homeschool and how do homeschoolers get social life?
Do Homeschoolers Have Friends?
Homeschoolers have friendships just like any other school age child. And, just like children in public school (traditional school), some homeschooled kids are outgoing and may have a large circle of friends and others may be more introverted and have a smaller social circle.
Homeschool moms and dads may need to work a little harder to provide opportunities for regular social activities for homeschoolers, but plenty of those exist in most areas.
Finding friends for homeschoolers doesn’t need to be hard, but may take some effort!
How Does Homeschool vs Public School Socialization Differ?
Many people imagine that public school students have much more time for socialization than they really do. Remember, much of public school socializing happens after school and at extracurricular activities. Many homeschoolers have opportunities to spend time with others throughout the day (if they choose) at homeschool social activities, extracurricular activities for homeschooled students, and other classes and meetups.
So, Why Do I Hear So Much About Homeschooling and Socialization?
To be honest, homeschooling and socialization issues was a big concern for me before I truly understood the homeschooling process.
How will I make sure that my social butterfly is being fulfilled and that she fits into society?
It weighed on my mind until I came to a full understanding that I control what I do in homeschooling and how my child learns, including when to be with other kids in group learning situations like play dates or classes outside of the home.
If I want her to participate in the Wear Your Butterfly Wings to the Park day, we can do that.
If I don’t want her to join the Cook Bugs From Your Backyard class, that’s OK too.
(Because, HARD PASS on eating bugs for this family.)
What I’m trying to say is that you have full control of your homeschooling, too, including homeschool socialization groups.
How To Socialize Homeschoolers
If you’re like most homeschooling families, your kids will have a great deal of group learning opportunities outside of the home.
Not only that, homeschoolers actually have a more real-life version of socializing where they are with a group of kids of all ages and stages.
(If you think about it, being in a room with kids of your exact same age is . . . unusual. That will never happen again in life like it does in traditional school settings.)
In addition to our at-home learning, my kid also participates in these classes outside the home: drama, music, Spanish, martial arts, skating, cooking and more.
We also do random free class offerings through the library, museums, and businesses, as well as field trips, and play dates or meet ups and community activities for homeschoolers.
There are plenty of opportunities for my daughter to socialize throughout the week.
So, if you’re worried about homeschooling and social skills, don’t be!
(But, you should be worried about the exhaustion you’ll feel from running your kids to a million different homeschooling events.)
(Don’t say I didn’t warn you…)
Homeschool Socialization Ideas
Please don’t worry about how to socialize your homeschooled child!
There are many ways that your homeschool children can meet friends and get socialization. Simple homeschool socialization can be as easy as playing at parks with a group of other kids at the park!
Other places to practice homeschool social skills include:
- Library classes and activities
- Homeschool classes outside the home
- Extracurricular activities
- Volunteering opportunities
- Museum Days focused on kids’ activities
- Camps
- Sports classes and leagues
- Social club for teenager homeschoolers in your area
- Homeschool social groups
- Religious organization activities (church, temple, synagogue, mosque, etc.)
Also, search places to socialize or social activities for homeschoolers near me to see what is happening around you!
These are just some of the many ways on how to socialize a homeschooler!
Homeschool Socialization Problems
So, there must be homeschool socialization problems, right?
As we mentioned earlier, one of the biggest problems with homeschooling and socializing is that some parents don’t provide wide enough opportunities for their homeschoolers to meet other kids. You have to be diligent (and sometimes creative!) with getting your kids out and meeting others on a regular basis!
So, you don’t need to worry about your homeschoolers not socialized if you regularly provide opportunities, which often naturally happen while your kids are taking homeschool classes outside the home.
If you worry about homeschool socialization, I hope this put your mind at ease.
Homeschool socialization is more of a myth than reality!
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