Homeschooled Children - Do They Lack Social Skills?

For the past 3 ½ years my oldest child has been homeschooled. During this time I have found that many individuals have been concerned with him not having the socialization skills that public schooled children are proclaimed to have.

Looking back over his 17 years of life, I've found that he is actually more socialized then he ever was in public school. He has more friends and the type of friendships that will follow him into adulthood. I attribute this turnaround in his socialization, to the programs he has had the opportunity to take part in during his homeschooling years. Many of which were only possible because of his homeschooling. So when I am asked if I think homeschooling children causes a lack of socialization, my response is it depends on the children and activities they are in.

If you are looking for ways to help perpetuate healthy socialization skills in your homeschooled children here are tips on where to locate programs. These can be excellent resources in that they allow your youth to meet and spend time with individuals sharing their same interests and passions.

Homeschooling Tips For Healthy Socialization Skills

Homeschooling Socialization Tip 1 - Have a conversation with your child and determine their interest. Once you have figured out where their interests lay, check with your local parks and recreations, churches, boys and girls clubs and scouting troops to see what activities match your child's interests.

Homeschooling Socialization Tip 2 - If your child has an interest in the Arts, Theater or Dance and these are not offered through your local parks and recreations you can contact your local art galleries and local colleges.

Homeschooling Socialization Tip 3 - If you have a local church, check out their youth programs. Many of these programs are well organized and offer many wonderful activities from bowling, movies, general fellowship, mission trips, sport activities and much more.

Homeschooling Socialization Tip 4 - as for sports, many people have thought as I did, that homeschooled children would miss out on the sporting activities offered in Middle and High school. However this is not the case. There are many organizations throughout the states, which are specifically for homeschooled children. The one that my youngest is involved in has a wonderful competitive basketball program as well as a football program. There are all types of programs so don't be afraid to look into them.

To this day it amazes me how my son's involvement in scouting, youth group functions at church, production crew for church, karate, mission trips and a fine arts program, have all played in integral part in his social skills. I continually receive comments that he is well rounded, out going, well mannered and spoken and so willing to help others. These are all traits that I am so proud that he has. Were they learned while he was in public school, I would have to say no. During his public school years, lasting up to the age of 13, he was not social, and had very few friends. I am thankful to the wonderful social programs I was able to locate based on his interest, where he has flourished and been allowed to grow into a fine young man.