How to Socialize When Homeschooling
Get tips on socializing while homeschooling from fellow home educators.
Building a rich social network can enhance your homeschooling experience. Fellow home educators can share tips and resources and provide friendship and support for you and your children. To help you create your own network of friends, the Homeschool+ Advisors are sharing insights and ideas on how to socialize when homeschooling.
It’s More Than Playing With Other Kids
n new home educators ask about this topic. Not only is socialization important, but asking about it shows that a new homeschooler is thinking ahead and trying to make sure their children are involved outside of the home.
Thankfully, there are many ways to socialize with other children and adults throughout the homeschool day–there’s never a shortage of opportunities. Socialization is more than just playing with children their age. It includes knowing how to behave at a restaurant, how to speak to the local librarian, how to share playground equipment at the park, and more.
Here are some of my favorite ways to encourage socialization that worked well with my kids:
- Attend library story times during the week.
- Go to the playground.
- Join a homeschool co-op if that’s right for your family.
- Interact with cashiers at the store and go out to eat.
- Enroll in gymnastics, dance, or sports classes.
- Take craft or art classes.
- Attend live online courses where students can interact with the teacher and each other.
Giving your children many well-rounded socialization opportunities is the easiest way to ensure they know how to interact with adults and other children. And that is, ultimately, the goal of any socialization effort.
Try the Library and Local Classes
There is often a stigma surrounding homeschooling–especially with those who have no experience with it–that it is impossible or at least difficult to provide social experiences for your children if you choose to homeschool. This idea could not be further from the truth!
While homeschooling families don’t meet new friends at the local school, there are many ways that homeschooling families choose to interact with the world, and, not surprisingly, they use the same approach as non-homeschooling families.
Here are a few ways that homeschooling families can socialize in their community.
- Participate in youth sports.
- Enroll in music lessons.
- Join a co-op.
- Get connected with events through your local library.
- Attend church activities.
- Take classes at local organizations.
Our local library keeps a monthly calendar of a variety of events that are free and grouped by age. Social media is also a great tool for homeschool educators to find events to connect with others. In my local community, homeschool Facebook groups share ideas and events with one another.
For some, the value of spending time at home learning together exceeds the worry of missing out on regular social interaction outside the home
Look Online
When we started homeschooling, I was pleasantly surprised with how many opportunities my boys had to interact with people of all ages (not just their peers). I still have a good chuckle when I’m out and about with my boys and other adults comment on how well-mannered my boys are and their ability to have a friendly conversation. Those adults are often shocked that we homeschool– I love breaking those types of homeschool myths!
As a homeschool mom, I have found my people through Facebook groups and forums. My homeschool friends can be found around the country and the world. I have found it refreshing and inspiring to know homeschoolers with different educational approaches and from other cultures. The best part is when our kids can connect via email, Zoom meetings, and FaceTime.
Many of my homeschool friends participate in co-ops for socialization, enrichment, and classes. Unfortunately, we don’t have a co-op close to us. Homeschooling is not common in our area. (I believe there are only three other homeschool families in our school district.)
I don’t specifically focus on helping my boys meet other homeschoolers. Locally, my boys have found friends based on their interests (like soccer and chess), our church, and community events. Online sites can also provide safe opportunities for homeschool kids to find and interact with each other.
Quick Tips for Socializing While Homeschooling
- Join classes that interest you or your children
- Join youth sports or enjoy them as a spectator and chat with those around you.
- Join a homeschool co-op or group in your area. Find a few options in your state here.
- Look beyond the homeschool community and connect with other families at the playground, library, and more.
- Use day-to-day opportunities to help children build social skills, like greeting cashiers, and ordering their own food at restaurants.
- Friendships can form over the internet through online homeschool communities, classes, and groups.
New homeschoolers need a curriculum that supports their goals. See if Homeschool+ is right for you.