Socialization Ideas for the Homeschooled Child

by Angie Shiflett

When parents educate their children at home, one of the most common concerns from other individuals includes that of socialization. People often are under the impression that the lack of interaction between the homeschooler and other children that attend public and private educational institutions can actually cause severe social damage. This is much farther from the truth than many realize. Here, you will be introduced to basic socialization concerns for homeschoolers, as well as many ideas to increase socialization among homeschooled children.

The first thing that you should understand as a homeschooling parent is the basic purpose and intention behind socialization. Socialization is an event, or series of events, that allows a young child to interact with other individuals. The child is encouraged to interact with many individuals. The people that the child interacts with should be those of various ages, backgrounds, religious beliefs, cultural beliefs, races, and genders. This type of interaction can assist children in preparation for “real world” situations.

Children who attend public and private educational institutions do interact with others. Normally, however, it is children their own age. In addition to this, they may interact with the faculty and staff of the educational facility. However, this interaction is often limited and monotonous. However, the homeschooled child is held by very little boundaries on which they can interact with. Many homeschoolers interact with various people in the community on a consistent basis. In addition to this, many homeschoolers are more comfortable interacting with others because of the freedom that they have to do so.

While children who attend basic educational establishments are learning about the core requirements that the State and Federal Government requires, the homeschooled child is learning that and seeing the activity behind the lessons. Children educated at home are encouraged to learn the basic rules of society, the beliefs and values that are required to function appropriately in society, and are taught the “how” and “why” behind many of the everyday systems that are upheld and valued in society.