Homeschool Socializing Information
Homeschooling Students and Socialization Info and Resources
Homeschool socialization information: Do homeschooling students have friends, enjoy fun school activities like team or individual sports, dances and a high school prom?
A common question about homeschooling pros and cons is about socialization. People wonder if kids raised outside of “regular” government-run or private schools have opportunities to be with other students. People also speculate about whether home-educated children are stuck at home, lonely, with only a parent and learning all alone. So what is home education social life really like?
Do Homeschoolers Play or Learn with Other Kids?
Homeschooled students of all ages socialize in many ways with other homeschoolers, neighbors after school and on weekends, club members (in groups like scouting troops, Christian homeschooling clubs, secular homeschool groups, and 4-H), and with others of all ages in the community.
There are an estimated 2 million children n the U.S. and an estimated 50,000 to 95,000 students homeschooled in Canada (HSLDA). Homeschooling is found around the world in various forms. In short, there are many homeschoolers to socialize together.
Most of these kids, teens, and family members come together to form local learning groups, meet for field trips, spend the day together at local zoos or science centers, and take classes together. Many communities offer homeschoolers the choice of attending one or more courses through local schools or special programs, as well. There are endless opportunities for homeschoolers to socialize, including spending plenty of quality time with siblings and other family.
Do Homeschooling Teens Play Team Sports and Go to the Prom?
Homeschooling families also organize P.E. classes or events in the community (at the YMCA, for instance). Beyond those sorts of things, many homeschoolers join in with community after-school sports, such as soccer and little league baseball teams. Homeschooled teens sometimes try out for and play local high school sports. Just as other children do, some homeschooled kids excel in a certain sport, such as bowling. They may join regular junior leagues, but may also (because of the efficiency of homeschool learning) have extra time to practice their talent. One Washington teen plays in two junior leagues and often has time to travel to in and out-of-state tournaments.
Some homeschoolers excel in other areas. Many national spelling bee winners have been homeschoolers. These students meet other people from across the nation during competitions, which is a wonderful experience in socialization.
As far as school dances and Junior and Senior proms go, homeschoolers attend those as well. Some teens are invited to local high school events by public school friends. Others attend special events planned for (and sometimes by) homeschool teenagers and their friends. Portland, Oregon, for instance, has a large homeschool teen group that hosts parties, several holiday dances, and a fancy prom each year. A teen group in Washington State hosts all sorts of get-togethers every other Saturday night.
If a young homeschooler feels lonely, he or she has the opportunity to plan an event or join in with others. Most homeschoolers are happy to include new folks in their activities and are accepting of people from all walks of life. A good place to start is by searching homeschooling online. One may find a local homeschool group to join.
Homeschoolers Found to be Better Socialized and More Mature
According to a Radford University of Virginia master's thesis by Thomas Smedley entitled The Socialization of Homeschool Children , "home-schooled children were better socialized and more mature than the children in the public school."
For more about homeschooling, see Homeschooling with Thematic Units, Best Online Homeschool Resources, and Should You Homeschool High School?
Resources:
Homeschool Legal Defense (HSLDA)
Worldwide Guide to Homeschooling, B. Ray, PhD, 2002. nheri.org
The Socialization of Homeschool Children, Thomas Smedley
OHEN Teen Group, Porland, Oregon
13 years author's personal home teaching experience
D. Donohoe, homeschool student (bowler)
Washington teen group
