HOW TO SOCIALIZE YOUR HOMESCHOOL CHILDREN

INTRODUCTION

The number one complaint families who homeschool hear the most often is that they are denying their children socialization skills needed in the real world.  And my short answer to that is that the public school system does not hold a monopoly on teaching socialization skills.

There is nothing you can say to change that person's mind, and clearly such people are against homeschooling to begin with.  But to be honest, there are social skills one learns in the public school system that they don't learn at home.  They truly are missing out on such social skills as teasing other students, or making fun of someone because they don't dress a certain way  or because they are over weight or wear glasses.  And we haven't even gotten to the social skills of high school, where drugs are bought and sold in the hallways or out in the parking lot.  So yes, I would be the first to admit that my kids, as well as many other homeschool families, are missing out on certain types of social skills, and thank God they are.

THINGS YOU WILL NEED

free time

a willingness to have fun

STEP 1

Make library time a regular part of your homeschooling.  My children enjoyed going to the library around the time the local public school got out, this gave them plenty of opportunity to meet and make friends with children from the local school system.

STEP 2

Attend public events.  Everything from storytime at the public library to local book signings, concerts and plays, Church suppers, and such.  When attending a book signing, it is a good idea to gather some of the background on the author, and havew your children be prepared to ask a couple of questions of the author.  When attending plays or concerts, stick around after the event is over and seek out some of the people who were in the event.  Again, encourage your children to ask questions.

STEP 3

Become active in your local YMCA.  The swimming pool is a great place to meet and interact with other children, as is the basketball court and game room.  Signing your children up for the YMCA soccer, football, golf, camping and other Y events is also a nice way to expand their socialization skills.

STEP 4

Get involved in 4-H.  I didn't even know it until I looked it up, but you can become active in 4-H right over the computer, even if there are no 4-H meetings anywhere in your area.

STEP 5

Sign your children up for boy Scouts and giurl Scouts.  My children loved the learning experiences these organizations taught, and they made many new friends as well.  It also offered some chances to get out into the community helping others, a priceless experience.

STEP 6

Have your children attend a local church Youth Group.  I know at several of the local churches around here children can become active in the Youth Groups without having to attend the Church itself.  My children have gone out into the community doing volunteer work at food banks, soup kitchens, nursing homes and even helped out at a local therif shop that sells items to raise money for the food bank.

STEP 7

Help out in your community garden.  Children just seem to naturally take to gardening, and helping do volunteer work in a community garden is another great way to meet and interact with other people.

TIPS

Make volunteering a center piece of your homeschooling experience.

Whenever opportunity presents itself, always encourage your children to ask questions.

WARNINGS

Know that no matter what you do, there will always be people out there all too willing to put your best efforts down.

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