Homeschooling your children is an educational option that’s available and legal in all 50 states in the U.S. As with any type of education, it has its pros and cons. One of the biggest perceived downsides of a homeschool education is the lack of socialization and extracurricular activities. How can you ensure your homeschooled children have a vibrant after-school life and a full extracurricular schedule?
Don’t Buy Into the Myths
Homeschool students are often portrayed in the media as unsocialized oddballs, unable to cope with the real world because their upbringing didn’t include 12 years in the public school system. This myth couldn’t be further from the truth. Their socialization just comes in different forms.
Because they’re socializing with adults and children of all age groups rather than being limited to a group of students their own age, homeschooled children are often better at socializing than their traditional counterparts. Research shows that homeschooled children find it easier to develop higher-quality friendships and strong relationships with the people in their lives.
If you’re worried about your children’s social lives, start by joining a local homeschool support group, co-op, or organization. Start engaging with your local homeschool community and build your network out from there.
Work With Your Local School Board
Homeschooling your children doesn’t mean you exist on an island. In most states, setting up a homeschool curriculum requires informing the local school board of your intention. This intention also opens up other extracurricular opportunities.
Your child may be eligible to join sports teams or other after-school clubs at your local public schools. The exact requirements will vary depending on your location. Still, your child will likely only be eligible to participate in activities at the school they would have been zoned to attend.
Beyond that, the details will depend on your state. Talk to your local school board and see what opportunities are available for your homeschooled students.
After-school programs are essential for every student, whether homeschooled or attending a public school. Depending on the details of the program, they provide tools for social and emotional learning and nutritional, physical, and academic support.
For parents who work or children who are too young to stay home on their own, it also acts as a form of after-school child care, giving parents extra time to retrieve their children at the end of the day.
Consider Other After-School Activities
Most extracurricular activities are scheduled to start after 3 p.m. – or whenever school gets out in your area. There are usually tons of options available, depending on where you live.
Take the time to talk to your students about the kinds of activities they might enjoy or be interested in. Some, such as volunteering, can also be a good way to pad their transcripts if they plan on attending college. Others, like yoga, karate, or sports, improve overall physical health while providing an energy outlet and allowing your kids to socialize at the same time.
Take Time to Experiment
Finding a good fit for after-school activities for your homeschooler won’t always be easy. Take the time to try things out. Keep what works and discard anything that doesn’t. There are plenty of activities to choose from, so don’t feel like you need to cling to something your kids hate just because you’ve signed up for a few classes or sessions.
After-school activities are an essential part of a balanced school career, which applies to homeschoolers and public-school students. If you haven’t already started looking, make sure you’re considering after-school activities for your homeschooled children. In addition to introducing them to new skills and concepts, this can be a fantastic way to socialize with people outside your normal circles.
