Create Social Opportunities:
A few thoughts & a bunch of ideas.

Socialization can be a challenge for homeschoolers. While most areas sport a plethora of options, sometimes you still can’t find the right situation for your child and family. Just as you don’t want to copy the public school model of education, you certainly don’t want to copy its idea of socialization.

Socialization is something that should improve our relationships and our ability to get along with all people. The sort that results in bad attitudes, crumbling relationships with parents, self-isolation, narrowing of the types of people a child is willing to interact positively with, is the sort you should run from.

On the other hand, not all socialization need be an effort to improve the world or even your child’s own intellect. Everyone needs to relax, have some fun with people they enjoy, just chill out. But sometimes a little structure aids this need rather than hinders it. Read on for some good ideas.

Keep social situations specific and focused. If you have a group of kids getting together, make sure it’s for a specific purpose, even if that purpose is basketball then ice cream.
Socialize in family units where parents can keep an eye on things and set an example.
Have your child volunteer somewhere (where there’s good adult supervision), or volunteer as a family.
Make sure there’s plenty of specific social interaction at home. Sometimes what a child really wants is more one-on-one fun time with parents. Play board games, charades, basketball, tag, listen to music together, talk, laugh... you get the picture. Don’t let your life become all work and school.
Make sure social opportunities run on a predictable schedule – once a week or every two weeks – whatever seems to meet the need at hand.
Teach or host a class. What skills do you have that you might share? Art, cooking, crafts, literature, math, woodworking, foreign language, puppetry, acting? Devote an hour or two to class and allow an hour or two afterward for kids to “hang out.”
Do classes, but instead of teaching yourself, bring in guest teachers or speakers and vary the subjects. Always be sure to allow social time afterward.
Help your child start a club based on his or her interests.
Host theme parties. My youngest son and I put together an elaborate Lord of the Rings party that we spent three months preparing for (including life-size cardboard cutouts of characters, Hobbit food, games and more). At the actual party, he took over as host. Playing host is a good and fun skill to hone. Your parties or events don’t need to be elaborate, though, to be fun.
Host a once-a-week study hall for older students, with breaks for socializing and a longer social time afterward.
Find a study partner for your older student. My oldest son spent a year studying with a friend. Besides their studies, they played Scrabble, talked, played basketball, etc. The arrangement could be for daily studying or once or twice a week.
Host a weekly PE class and teach new games and skills. Sometimes homeschoolers can overlook things that have merit but are a more natural part of an institutional setting. I used to host a once-a-year Mock Olympics and always found the need to do extensive explaining and even demonstrating of team activities like relay races. Also, don’t feel the need to do things like baseball, football or soccer. Try dodge ball, freeze tag, relay races, obstacle courses, Mother May I, Simon Says, Red Light – Green Light, Follow the Leader, team scavenger hunts. Even older children will have fun with these activities.
Let your child invite a friend along for activities like eating out, going hiking or to the movies.
Look for homeschool groups that have activities that appeal to you and get involved. You may even find something within your community or at a tourist location. In my area, there are special programs for older students at the aquarium, a children’s museum, an art museum, and other places. Make some calls – you never know till you ask.

Send your ideas to us at bzpbooks@isp.com.