| One of the greatest myths that exist about the | | | | Parents of homeschoolers can take an active role |
| homeschooling phenomenon is that children who | | | | in the socialization of their children. There are |
| learn at home will not develop the necessary | | | | many options to pursue. The first step is to find |
| social skills needed for later in life. This belief is due | | | | other homeschoolers in the area. There will be a |
| to a narrow view of the process of socialization | | | | ready bond between homeschool students |
| and a misunderstanding of homeschooling in | | | | because of their shared educational experiences. |
| general. | | | | Another step is to find out which clubs are |
| Socialization can occur in many forms. Sitting in a | | | | available for their children to join. There were |
| public school classroom with 20 other children is | | | | several previously mentioned, but organized |
| one limited form. In fact, homeschoolers have the | | | | sports can also offer a great outlet for social |
| opportunity to engage in a wide variety of social | | | | interaction. Many skills can be learned from playing |
| situations that a typical school setting would not | | | | on a local soccer or baseball team, such as |
| allow. Homeschoolers who have siblings have a | | | | maintaining a positive attitude, working well with |
| built in social environment in the family unit. They | | | | other people, and being a responsible member of |
| are able to learn communication skills and problem | | | | a larger group. |
| solving skills through daily interaction with their | | | | Taking homeschoolers to the local park where |
| brothers or sisters. Attending church and/or a | | | | other children in the community play is an easy |
| weekly Sunday school class also gives | | | | way to give them social interaction with peers. |
| homeschoolers interaction with other children their | | | | There are also many opportunities for volunteer |
| age, in addition to adults. Children who attend | | | | activities for homeschoolers to participate in. |
| homeschooling groups have interaction with other | | | | Places like nursing homes, soup kitchens, and |
| students of various ages, teaching them how to | | | | state parks are always looking for eager helpers. |
| socialize with older and younger children. | | | | Being a volunteer teaches homeschool students |
| The very nature of the homeschool curriculum | | | | that they are a part of a larger community and |
| gives homeschooling families a flexible schedule. | | | | each community member has the responsibility to |
| Students are free to join groups such as the 4-H | | | | serve where they are willing and able. |
| club, the Girl Scouts or the Boy Scouts, or clubs | | | | The next time someone tells you that they do |
| offered by the local YMCA. In fact, local | | | | not think homeschooling allows for the proper |
| homeschoolers can get together and can start | | | | socialization of children, you can just smile and |
| their own clubs! What a great opportunity to learn | | | | explain how they are mistaken! |
| about responsibility and leadership. | | | | |