How To Keep Homeschooled Kids Socially Connected and Encourage Socialization

Whether you are just starting your homeschooling journey, or you have been at it for some time, the number one question you likely get asked (or you ask yourself) is about socialization: How will your kids be properly socialized if they are learning at home rather than in a school environment?

It's an understandable concern. After all, most of us spent our childhoods in more traditional educational settings, attending brick-and-mortar schools, surrounded by other kids daily, and where social interaction was an intrinsic part of our educational experience. How can this be replicated if we are teaching our children at home?

Learn all about homeschool socialization and how homeschoolers ensure their homeschooled kids get plenty of opportunities to form meaningful relationships with their peers.

The Importance of Socialization for Kids

No one can deny that socializing with other children is an important part of child development, especially as kids move through the elementary school years and into secondary grades. Of course, interactions with trusted adults—such as parents, other family members, and teachers—can be enriching too, but children are meant to play and explore with other children.

But it’s not just about having playmates. Socialization also teaches your child how to handle and resolve conflicts with others—and how to navigate sharing, cooperating, respecting another child’s personal space, and being respectful and empathetic.

School environments also teach children how to follow directions, be good listeners, and take turns when speaking. These skills don’t always come naturally to young children, and they need to be taught and nurtured.

What Research Says About Homeschool and Socialization

Research about homeschoolers and socialization is limited, but the available research does point to mostly positive outcomes when it comes to socialization and homeschooled children.

For example, a systematic review of the available research on homeschooling found that not only do homeschoolers fare very well academically, but they also appear to be well-adjusted and well-socialized. Out of 15 available studies that look at the socialization of home-educated kids, 13 showed “clearly positive outcomes for the homeschooled compared to those in conventional schools.”

Richard G. Medlin, PhD, a professor of psychology at Stetson University, published a review of homeschool research in the Peabody Journal of Education. He came to similarly positive conclusions:

• Adults who were homeschooled as kids are “civically engaged” and well-adjusted.
• Homeschooled children have stronger relationships with their parents and other adults in their lives.
• Homeschooled children are generally content, hopeful, and report high levels of satisfaction with their lives.
• Homeschooled kids are ethical and are more likely to take social responsibility than conventionally taught kids.
• Homeschooled kids are open-minded and like to try new things.
• Homeschooled kids are well-behaved and experience less “emotional turmoil.”
• Homeschooled kids who attend college are as social as their peers who were taught more traditionally.
  

What Homeschooling Parents Report

According to Medlin’s research, parents of kids who learn at home also report positive outcomes about their children’s socialization skills. The research indicates that homeschooling parents expect their children to respect and get along with people of diverse backgrounds, provide their children with various social opportunities outside the family, and believe their children's social skills are at least as good as other children's.

If you talk to any veteran homeschooling parent, they will likely agree, explaining that their children generally have uniquely diverse experiences as homeschooled kids. They interact with kids of all ages, have many experiences with other adults in public situations, and generally learn how to be a respectful, thoughtful, and empathetic member of society because they are schooled at home, and not despite it.

How To Support Homeschool Socialization

Most homeschoolers will tell you that the thing to keep in mind about homeschooling is that only a small portion of it happens at home. Most children can finish their lessons or academic work within a few hours and still have several more hours free each day to do other activities—and most of these activities involve interactions with others.

In fact, many children do a large bulk of their academic schooling with others—such as in homeschool co-ops and through outside classes and activities aimed at homeschooled kids and families.

Really, the ways that you can keep your homeschooled kids engaged with others are endless, especially with a little planning. Here are some of the most popular ways that homeschool parents give their elementary-aged kids opportunities for socialization.

Join a homeschool co-op

Homeschool co-ops are popular ways to connect with other homeschool families so that your children can play and learn with others. Some of these co-ops are primarily social, while others involve parents taking turns teaching classes or hiring outside teachers to teach students. 

Enroll in extracurricular activities

Just because your kids are homeschooled doesn’t mean they can’t participate in after-school or weekend activities with non-homeschool kids. Some public schools even allow homeschooled kids to participate in their extracurricular activities.

Sign your child up for martial arts, dance, cooking, piano, computer coding—whatever floats their boat.

Get involved in sports

If you have a sporty kid, getting them on a local sports team (even through your local school district if allowed) is a wonderful way to provide opportunities for socialization. Sports involve many of the important skills you will want your child to learn, such as teamwork, communication, and managing big emotions.

Volunteer

Volunteer at the local zoo, shelter, or soup kitchen. Older kids can volunteer at a local non-profit, an animal rescue, or a local hospital. There are so many volunteer opportunities to get your kids involved in local civic organizations.

All of them are educational opportunities as well as ways to interact with others in meaningful ways.

Register your child for classes

Even without enrolling your child in a full-day school program, there are academic classes you can usually find within your community. Many non-profits, environmental centers, museums, and libraries offer educational classes for kids of all ages. These are also great ways for your child to get used to being in a classroom-like setting and engaging with others.

Take community college courses

High school-aged homeschoolers are often able to enroll in community college courses. This is a fantastic way to enrich your child’s education, teach them to be more independent, and give them opportunities to engage with others. And of course, there’s the bonus that they will get a leg up on their college coursework (at a very low cost per credit).

Go to summer camp

Homeschoolers often attend day camp and sleepaway camp during the summer. Camps are a great way to make long-lasting friendships and

build grit and independence.

Get outside

Whatever you do, get your kids outside. Of course, homeschooled kids need sunshine and movement as much as any child. But going beyond your own backyard offers more opportunities for socialization for your child. Visit your local park, go to the zoo, or explore the botanical gardens. If you visit these places during school hours, you might run into another homeschooler or two and make fast friends.