How to Plan Social Activities for Your Homeschooled Child

Lack of socialization is one of the major concerns about homeschooling (especially with grandparents). You'll soon find a wealth of opportunities for your homeschooled child to interact with others if you follow the suggestions below.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Answering Machines
• Telephones
• Calendars
• Personal Organizers

1. Think about the kind of socialization experiences you want for your child. Your homeschooled child need not be limited to the artificial community of his or her peers that's offered in the formal school environment, but rather, can benefit from a wide variety of interactions and relationships.

2. Contact your public school about having your child participate in whatever extracurricular activities it offers. Many districts welcome the participation of homeschooled children in sports teams, clubs, theater productions and other activities. (You may have to sign a waiver releasing the school from responsibility for your child.)

3. Consider the same kinds of resources you would if your child were in a traditional school environment. Many township organizations, nonprofit groups, and clubs such as bands and orchestras, scout troops and 4-H have chapters devoted to homeschooled kids. If not, your child can still participate "after school," like everyone else.

4. Join a local homeschool group. Most offer a broad range of activities, including field trips, where your child can benefit from group interaction.

5. Take advantage of the flexibility homeschooling offers. Socialization could mean bringing your child with you to one of your own church or community group activities, or having lunch with Grandma.

Tips & Warnings

• Ask local resources such as art centers, skating rinks and music schools about offering instruction and/or use of their facilities to your homeschool group. Often, their staff and facilities are idle during regular school hours, and they might welcome the chance to get some use from their resources.

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on 3/13/2008 My child had been homeschooled for 3 years now and planning to go through Highschool homeschooled. I should say her shynss went away and she has a lot of activities compared to when she was at a traditional school.

on 11/22/2005 Birthdays can be a critical time for your home schooled child. Plan for a special occasion that reminds him or her of all the friends and supporters in their life. They really do have a social life! The theme and style of the party is also critical. This can be tough for conscientious parents who don't like the violent, crass or mass-produced party supplies on the market. We recently started a company, PartyPail, that offers more thoughtful, unique themes that your homeschooler and other kids will love and it won't sacrifice your standards.

on 11/22/2005 Socializing can cause a bit of a problem unless dealt with realistically. Why don't you encourage your homeschooler to invite some friends over for pizza, soda and make it Blockbuster night on a Saturday night? That way, your child will not feel left out.

on 11/22/2005 Research other homeschool programs and maybe start your own activity group for homeschooled kids where they get together once a week or so to do fun activities that they plan themselves with your supervision. Teens will especially love this. (I am one.)