Introduction
Socialization is one of the first objections people have when you tell them you will be or are thinking about homeschooling. “What about socialization?!” is a phrase you will often encounter when you tell people that you are homeschooling. You want your child to socialize, have friends, and experience the world. How can you do that when homeschooling? The answer is easier and simpler than you think!
Answers for Those Who Question Homeschooling
Experience the world. Most parents desire for their children to have an array of experiences and to not be stuck in the house all day. How can homeschooling provide children the opportunity to see people and learn new experiences? The answer is fairly clear – homeschooled students aren’t stuck inside and aren’t bound to a schedule. Public school students are stuck inside school for 6-7 hours per day (with the exception of recess, of course). Homeschooled students have more time to go to different places. Even the grocery or hardware store can provide children with the opportunity to interact with different people.
Don’t be afraid to plan homeschool field trips or join ones that are planned. Being a part of local homeschool groups provides you and your child with the much needed interaction and field trips you crave.
Peers. Students in public school are with the same 20-30 students every day. Even at recess, they are playing with the same group of people. The same can be said about homeschooling – students are with their siblings or small homeschool group. Usually students are interacting with those of the same age at public school; whereas, homeschooled students are interacting with children of a variety of ages. At the homeschool group I attend with my children, the age range spans 2-12 years old. The older children are so kind in interacting with and including the younger children. The younger ones look up to the older ones. It is really sweet to watch!
Children enjoy playing with others of varying ages. When I had my private school, I got to see firsthand kids playing with kids of other ages every day. They were able to create and play games and activities with no issues. The older ones were kind enough to lower the expectations of the game for the younger students with no prompting. Children are inclusive!
When you think about it, there is no other time in your life where you are surrounded only by those of the same or similar age as yourself. After highschool, you either go to university where there are adults of varying ages (I was in classes with 50 year olds as an 18 year old!) or are in the workforce where there is a wide age span.
Sheltered. Homeschooled students are often deemed as “sheltered”. Sheltering can be good or bad – depending what you are sheltering from. For us, we see it as a good thing that we are sheltering our children from drugs and behaviour we don’t agree with them seeing at the young ages they are. Of course, there will come a time when it is appropriate to expose them to such things, but at 4 and 2, now is not the time. The fact is, all of us shelter our kids to some degree at some point or another. As long as your child is prepared for life, that is all that matters.
Real life skills. Socialization is more than just interacting with others. It is how to behave in society. As a homeschool parent, you have the opportunity to practically train your child on the ins and outs of how to act in public. You are with them the majority of the time and are provided with many chances to informally teach them.
Real life skills come with trips to the grocery store, doctor’s office, and other places of business. Showing your child how to treat others with kindness and respect goes a long way with interacting with others. It shows them the worth of others and themselves. The fact is, you and your child will have lots of opportunities for conversations as almost always someone will ask “Isn’t there school today?” or “Why aren’t you in school?” Allow your child to answer and watch how their interaction skills shine!
Additionally, homeschooling provides you with opportunities to teach real life skills such as cooking, gardening, finances, and other necessary “basic” skills for life. Children in a traditional classroom are not provided with the same amount of hours per day doing “real life” stuff as homeschooled students are. Take advantage of it! Involve your child in the tasks of the home. I know it is easier and quicker to not include them, but, trust me, it is pouring value into your child. Your child will be thrilled to help you (younger children especially). I know teenagers are less prone to be willing to help, but explain to them why you are doing what you are doing: you are helping them build skills to be a functional adult in society.
Conclusion
Socialization is a hot topic in homeschooling. It is one of the reasons parents ultimately decide not to pursue homeschooling. Don’t let it stop you! Your homeschooled child will have lots of opportunities to interact with others – formally and informally. Go on lots of “adventures”. It doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive – a hike, a trip to the playground, grocery shopping, church kids’ programs, etc. There are plenty of opportunities for your child to interact with others – old and young.
Homeschooling provides your child experience interacting with those of all ages – not just those of the same or similar age. This ultimately prepares them better for real life as they enter university and the workforce. Students in public school are often limited in their social circles to those of similar ages. They also are limited to being either in school, at home, or in extracurriculars (which, again, is those of a similar age). While homeschooling isn’t for everyone, don’t let the fear of the lack of socialization scare you away.
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