Click here to join one of our next Virtual Open Houses!
For many of us, the idea of socializing our children typically consists of kids hanging out in the hallways, playing together at recess, separating into groups at lunch, participating in after-school sports and clubs with their classmates, and going to parties. If you grew up in a traditional school, this is what you knew.
Homeschooled children don’t socialize with others in the same environment as their traditionally schooled peers. Because of this, some people believe that homeschoolers don’t socialize at all, or at least not enough to become well-rounded, socially adept adults.
This idea is simply false, and the stereotype of a socially isolated homeschooler is outdated at best. In today’s hyper-connected world, homeschooled children have a myriad of ways to connect with people outside the home, contributing to their social, emotional, and psychological development over time.
In fact, homeschooled children sometimes have more—or at least, more diverse—ways to socialize. To prove that point, we examine some of the myths—and opportunities—around homeschool socialization.
Homeschooling and Socialization: How Does it Work?
For children in traditional public and private schools, what we call “socialization” occurs in the hallways, on the school bus, or in the lunchroom. Most of this socialization isn’t intentional, but simply forced interaction with other children.
Good socialization also involves learning the skills to not only exist, but succeed in these situations and beyond.
The US Census Bureau estimates that around 5% of all school-aged children are being homeschooled. While it’s true that homeschooled children have to be more intentional about pursuing socialization opportunities, the majority of these children regularly participate in clubs, volunteering, activities, co-ops, homeschooling communities, and more.
This wide range of social engagement activities is available through community organizations, religious groups, and even local school districts where homeschooled children can participate. They not only offer children an opportunity to engage with others but often expose them to a wider range of people and experiences than they could find in a traditional school setting.
Homeschool Socialization Ideas
Homeschooling offers incredible flexibility, giving children more time to engage in thoughtful, intentional socialization activities. Below are just a few ideas for how to socialize homeschoolers, offering a wide range of rich engagement opportunities beyond whatever happens on a school bus or in a classroom.
- Volunteering in local communities
- Engagement with religious communities, such as church youth groups
- Participation in online communities and forums
- Playing with other children
- Working at a part time job
- Taking a non-academic class, such as pottery, gymnastics, improv theater, a foreign language, or anything else of interest
- Playing sports through homeschool sports leagues or local school districts
- Playing e-sports and online games with others around the world
- Attending local events and workshops
- Joining boy or girl scouts
- Going to camp in the summer
- Engaging with other children in homeschool co-op groups
- Auditioning for community theater or other performance groups
Addressing Homeschool Socialization Myths
Despite homeschooling’s growing popularity, the prevailing stereotype of homeschooled children is that they are isolated and socially underdeveloped, spending 100% of their time at home with their families. While research and reality have shown that this is simply not true, here are some of the biggest homeschool myths—along with some data to show what’s really going on in homeschooled families.
Homeschooled Kids Don’t Learn Social Skills
Based on current research, homeschooled children are doing well, typically above average, in terms of social, emotional, and psychological development.
Homeschooled children are not limited by imposed grade levels and school structures. This flexibility may provide more opportunities to interact with children and adults outside their age range. The close oversight of their parents also helps to build their communication, social skills, and confidence in every situation.
A study on homeschool and social development determined that homeschooled students are generally happy, optimistic, and satisfied with their lives; possess moral reasoning that’s at least as advanced as other children; exhibit less emotional turmoil and problem behaviors; and are more likely to act unselfishly than their peers.
Homeschooled Kids are Isolated
For many parents, the decision to homeschool isn’t based on a desire to isolate their children, but to curate their child’s experiences with academics and the world at large.
But are homeschooled students less social as a result? Largely, no. Homeschooled kids have friends and neighbors and family members, just like any other children. They can—and regularly do—volunteer at nursing homes or food banks or other charitable organizations as part of their school day. They participate in group classes, social outings, and field trips with local homeschool organizations. They attend religious services, join clubs that interest them, and chat both online and in person with other homeschooled children.
In fact, the adaptable educational schedule of most homeschooling offers more freedom for socialization than a regular school. On the whole, homeschoolers have more time and opportunities to interact with others.
In a 2022 study of adults who had been homeschooled as children, one researcher notes that most of the people surveyed “described conventional and unconventional social experiences that they felt had satisfied their social needs while being homeschooled.”
Homeschooled Children Miss Out on Extracurricular Activities
Homeschooled children typically have more opportunities to participate in extracurricular activities than those in traditional schools, not fewer. Thanks to the flexibility of a homeschooling schedule, and because homeschooling families don’t exclusively rely on a school’s offering for their child’s engagement, they often can consider a wider range of enriching activities for their child to participate in.
Rather than going out for the school play, homeschooled children might audition for community theater. Local libraries frequently offer a wide range of clubs and activities that anyone—including children, youth, and adults alike—are free to join. Many homeschoolers participate in frequent casual gatherings and field trips, whether on their own or through a homeschool group or co-op, often venturing out from the “classroom” far more often than their public school friends.
Even more, if your child truly wants the traditional extracurricular experience, it might be available to them. Many school districts in the U.S. allow homeschooled children to participate in their afterschool programs, from sports to academic clubs and beyond. And, particularly in communities with a large number of homeschooled children, parents are likely to find an independent or homeschool sports league to join instead.
Studies on Homeschool Socialization and Adult Success
Thanks to widespread interest in homeschoolers’ socialization—even if it’s in the form of criticism—many studies and surveys have been conducted to measure the social development and future outcomes of homeschooled children. More often than not, the findings point to the positive impact of homeschooling in developing successful, well-rounded adults.
A study on homeschooled students and transformational leaders showed that homeschooled children develop more leadership skills than their public school peers. This makes sense in the context of homeschooling: homeschoolers learn how to work independently, as much of their academic workload is self-driven rather than instructed. Homeschool students are also more likely to be tolerant of others’ political beliefs, helping them to build community beyond a particular worldview.
These factors are critical for lifelong success, both socially and personally. With so many myths surrounding homeschooling, families must separate fact from fiction when they consider the pros and cons of homeschooling.
School is Better at Bridgeway: Discover Diverse and Meaningful Social Opportunities
The research is clear: the negative effects of homeschooling on socialization are, more often than not, an outdated idea rather than reality. As a partner in homeschooling for more than 40 years, Bridgeway Academy has helped thousands of parents educate and socialize their children at home.
Our robust community offers numerous social groups for homeschoolers, along with flexible and personalized curriculum for homeschooling. Homeschooled children participate in clubs, communities, and virtual activities, take live online classes with real teachers, engage in peer collaboration opportunities, talk with a trusted one-on-one advisor, and even walk in an in-person graduation ceremony, ensuring that they’re never alone in their education—no matter where it takes them.
To learn more about Bridgeway Academy’s commitment to homeschool socialization and academic success, connect with our expert team. Call us toll-free at (800) 863-1474, schedule a consultation, or join our weekly virtual open house.
Helpful Links:
