How Do Homeschooled Children Have A Healthy Social Life?
‘The idea that children need to be around many other youngsters in order to be ‘socialised’ is perhaps the most dangerous and extravagant myth in education and child rearing today’ - Dr Raymond Moore
Before we made the decision to homeschool, thinking about my daughter’s social life was one of the things that frequently lingered on my mind. Friends often asked me what I was going to do to ensure she was still engaging with others her age, and my daughter made it no secret to inform me of how much she would miss her friends from school.
This question did honestly scare me, especially with my daughter being a very social person.
I thought tirelessly as to how she was still going to have a social life outside of school, and how this would impact her.
Would she end up being anti-social? Would she become miserable or depressed because she didn’t have access to friends? Would she feel as if she was missing out? Would she grow to seek attention from the wrong people or situations?
So many questions filled my mind as to how she would respond with constantly being at home.
However, research proved otherwise.
When we had decided that we would take the step to homeschool, and had a confirmed de-registration date, I joined a local Facebook group for parents who homeschool their kids. This group gave me a lot of insight to how much was available in my community.
For example, I was able to find weekly language group sessions, teaching subjects such as Spanish and French. Tennis lessons, Art lessons, Nature Trails, Musical Theatre and Drama, and much more.
These classes were all designed specifically for children who were homeschooled. With each class structured by age group, it was clear to see that my daughter would still be able to have a social life in environments where she could learn and engage with other kids.
I also looked at outdoor learning. Things like visiting our local aquarium, museums, farms and zoos. These are all ways to incorporate learning and the social side of education too. Each week she picks an outdoor learning activity, so with the weather being bright and sunny, we are travelling more frequently.
And let’s not forget tutoring. Although you can opt to do tutoring online, which can work out cheaper, there are local group tutoring classes (Kumon, Explore Learning) which help with English and Maths lessons too.
Now although I had planned the above, the reality is that you have to take a lot more into consideration. When booking these classes, most of them come with a cost, so ensure you have a budget in place. Also consider your time and energy! Remember, you’re having to ferry your child around, and then wait or return after an hour or so - so be sure to have a good book, laptop or activity booked in for yourself too.
However, I did find that the EHE team send email updates every month about events in the community, and these are usually free.
Once we had started homeschooling, with becoming more flexible with our schedule, it was easier to incorporate different activities and find a balance in our routine. I allowed my daughter to pick which group sessions she wanted to attend, and through attending she’s made new friends.
Besides the social element of learning with others, I noticed my daughter also needed the freedom of just having fun with friends.
In our area there are local youth clubs and half-term camps - Oh yes and Roblox that she loves to play, and she can still engage with her friends from her previous school. She has also made friends with the kids in the neighbourhood too. Having access to these has helped her to feel as though she is not missing out on too much.
As a parent, it’s been pretty cool making new friends as well, and getting an understanding, and support from other parents who feel the same way you do. So if you do choose to go on this journey of homeschooling, remember, you are not alone. There are actually more parents doing this than you think. And there is great community spirit in supporting each other too.
‘Children learn from anything and everything they see. They learn wherever they are, not just in special learning places’ - John Holt
Peace & Blessings,