It’s time to talk about homeschool socialization. This is often the number one concern of family, friends, and strangers alike, so I thought it would be worth exploring.
This is just one of our posts in our Homeschool Tips & Tricks Series.
The number one question I’ve been asked by people who aren’t familiar with homeschooling is, “How do you socialize your children?” My answer is usually, “Well, I don’t. I lock them in a closet all day and feed them worksheets.” {Hehe.} Today we’re going to explore three homeschooling socialization myths and realities.
Homeschool Socialization Myths
Have you ever heard {or thought} these myths about homeschoolers? I have!
Myth 1: Homeschoolers are weird. This might be true, but you’ll also find plenty of “weirdos” who aren’t homeschooled. Another thought: Who says “weird” is bad? Albert Einstein was “weird,” right?
Myth 2: Homeschoolers lack social skills. Most kids lack social skills. For many kids, these skills have to be caught AND taught. You’ll find the same number of kids in the public school who need these skills, too.
Myth 3: Homeschoolers dress funny. To be honest, my kids prefer wearing their PJ’s all day. When we go out in public, I do ask them to change. The skill of matching also needs to be taught to most children, so we work on that, too. 😉
Homeschool Socialization Realities
Reality 1: Homeschooling is often a more positive socialization experience than other schooling situations. Homeschoolers can meet and interact with a wider variety of people. From what I remember and hear from my teacher friends, socialization in schools is often more limited than you might think with the pressures of testing and covering content in every grade level.
Reality 2: Homeschooling can look different for everyone, but getting plugged into a local homeschooling network is helpful. I love that within our own homeschool network, we have tons of kids. My kids learn to play and interact with kids of all ages. Playing on the playground while watching out for those toddlers is no easy feat!
Reality 3: In many communities, there are so many homeschool groups, co-ops, and field trip opportunities that families could be gone all day every day if they wanted to. The key is finding a balance with your routine that allows your kids time away from home and time to work at home.
Quick Ideas for Homeschool Families
If you need “socialization” ideas for your kids, here are some to get you started.
- music lessons
- church groups
- simple play groups
- field trips
- homeschool co-ops
- gymnastic classes
- dance lessons
- online classes
- group sports
If you find that there’s very little going on for homeschoolers in your area, start something. Two and a half years ago, we started a homeschool share group where our kids could come together and present in front of a group. It’s been a great way to help my kids develop many social skills.
Find all the posts in our Homeschool Series!
Enjoy homeschooling!
~Becky
My kids went to public school for a while before homeschooling. So my response tends to be something along the lines of “it’s funny how we are programmed to ask that, aren’t we? The funny thing is my kids actually interact with many more people each day homeschooling than they did during ‘silent lunch’ at school!”
Many wonder about socialization for homeschoolers. But in reality I have to say no to many social events or we wouldn’t get our academics finished. We are in church & have many things going on there. We are in our local 4H & the things to do in 4H are endless. We are in our local co-op with over 250 kids. And we have other electives such as music with recitals, horseback riding, agriculture or farming. The possibilities are so much but you as the parent have to go find them. As a homeschool parent, you are the teacher, principal, counselor all rolled into one. When a child is homeschooled they are not tied down or restricted to learning certain things. Yes math, history, language arts, science these are required. But so many things to expound on in these areas that a public school can not do since they are in a regulated schedule. And homeschoolers are being taught respect, I mean after all they are with mom or dad all day & unlike a public school teacher moms don’t put up with that. My mom sure didn’t. Lol! But public school teachers are regulated on how they can interact with students now. So the respect of the teacher or adults isn’t what it used to be. Homeschooling isn’t for every family. But as far as socialization, I don’t worry about it.