Socialization can be a nasty sounding word when spit doubtfully from the mouth of someone who does not approve of your homeschooling decision. That is why it is best to have a list before you start of ways you plan to get your child involved with other children.
Wait. Don’t get me wrong. Silencing the nay-sayers is not the only reason why socialization is important. When your child is around other children, he is learning an abundance about the way the world works, how others think and how they should act/react. You get to see him grow in his personality and in his awareness of the cultures arounf him.
Here are some questions to ponder when brainstorming ways to socialize your homeschooler:
- Where can your child be exposed to different cultures?
- Where can your child be around new people?
- Where can your child develop deeper relationships with the people he knows?
- Where can your child practice their manners?
- Where can your child have fun?
Now, in what ways can you work socialization into your homeschool?
- Field trips with other homeschoolers
- Playdates
- Trips to the store with you (Stores are filled with people of many different cultural backgrounds!)
- Church
- Boy/Girl Scouts
- 4-H
- Sports teams
- AWANA Clubs
- Manners classes
- Visits to the park/playground
- Community classes
- Co-op classes
- Play dates
- Birthday parties
- Reunions
- Summer camp
- Dance class
- Nursing homes
- Band (in conjunction with your local school if they allow homeschoolers or at church)
- Choir (in conjunction with your local school if they allow homeschoolers or at church)
- Museums
- and so much more!
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