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Introduction
Are you planning to homeschool your child, but are worried about its impact on your child’s development? Take a deep breath and relax! We are here to guide you through!
There is a lot of debate surrounding homeschooling and its impact on child development, particularly social development. Some proponents of homeschooling claim that it allows children to develop at their own pace, without the pressure of peer groups. Others assert that homeschooled children miss out on important opportunities to interact with their peers and learn social skills.
There is no definitive research on the social impact of homeschooling, so it is difficult to say definitively whether or not it has a positive or negative effect on child development.
Impact of Homeschooling on Child Development.
It is important to consider the impact homeschooling can have on child development. Although there are many benefits to homeschooling, there are also some potential drawbacks.
Any sort of education has both positive as well as negative effects on child development. Here, we shall highlight a few of both effects of homeschooling on child development.
Positive effects:
- Strong parent-child relationship.
Since you will constantly be around your child while homeschooling, it will strengthen your bond with your kid. The child will be assured that they will always have your back and will not hesitate to share anything and everything with you.
- No peer pressure.
When you homeschool your child, he won’t be pressured to compete with his fellow friends or classmates. This gives him a sense of security.
- Sheltered from negative behaviours.
In Homeschooling, you can easily shelter your child and avoid their exposure to the negative behaviour of other students, which can make them rebellious or brats.
- No question left unanswered.
Since you will be focusing only on your child, no matter how many questions they come up with, none of them will remain unanswered. This will help them in the future to get answers to their questions.
- Assist in adolescence.
Since you have already formed a strong bond with your kid, when they reach adolescence and are in the phase of their teenage years, they will be more open to sharing their issues with you, rather than falling into a bad crowd and searching for help from them.
Negative effects:
- Stunt the child’s emotional growth and social skills.
Homeschooled children may not have the same opportunity to interact with their peers daily. As a result, they may not be as exposed to different viewpoints and ideas. This can make it more difficult for homeschooled children to make friends or adjust to college or the workforce.
- Academic isolation.
Homeschooled children may not have the same opportunity to receive a well-rounded education as their peers who attend traditional schools. This is because homeschooled children are often only exposed to one type of curriculum and one teaching style.
- Low confidence.
Since homeschooling is usually done in isolation, students may not have the same opportunities to socialise as children who attend traditional schools. This can lead to social isolation and problems with peer relationships. As a result, they may have difficulty adapting to new environments and situations later in life, causing them to have low self-confidence.
How to Socialise Your Homeschooled Kid?
One of the drawbacks of homeschooling is that it isolates a child and does not allow them to sharpen their social skills. Therefore, you need to take some proactive steps to ensure that your child has enough opportunities to socialise and interact with other kids their age.
Here are some tips for socializing your homeschooled child:
1. Get involved in the homeschooling community.
There are likely to be other families in your area who are also homeschooling their children. Getting involved in the homeschooling community can provide your child with opportunities to socialise with other kids who are in a similar situation. There are often homeschooling groups or co-ops that you can join, which can offer regular socialisation opportunities for your child.
2. Plan playdates and outings with other homeschooled children.
If you know other families who are homeschooling, then why not organise some regular playdates or outings? This can give your child the chance to socialise in a more informal setting and allow an opportunity to chat with other homeschooling parents about your experiences.
3. Get involved in extracurricular activities.
Many homeschooling families choose to get involved in extracurricular activities to provide socialisation opportunities for their children. Often, homeschooling groups are involved in things like scouts, sports, dance, or drama classes. Joining one of these groups can help your child make friends and socialise outside the home.
4. Volunteer in the community.
Another great way to socialise homeschooled children is to get them involved in volunteering in the community. This could include something like helping out at a local library, animal shelter, or nursing home. Volunteering is an excellent way for children to learn new skills and make friends in the process.
5. Connect with other homeschooling families.
There are often homeschooling groups or meetups happening in most communities. Connecting with other homeschooling families can be a great way for children to socialise and make friends. It’s also a valuable resource for parents, as you can share tips and advice with other homeschooling families.
6. Use technology to stay connected.
There are many different ways to use technology to stay connected with other homeschooling families. Join an online forum or Facebook group, or even start your blog!
7. Attend homeschooling events.
There are often homeschooling events held throughout the country. These can be a great way to meet other families and find out more about homeschooling.
Hopefully, these tips will help you to find other homeschooling families in your area. Remember, it’s important to connect with other families so that you can all support each other on your homeschooling journey.
Take away!
Homeschooling has both- positive and negative impacts on child development. As a parent, you must do your research and make an informed decision about what’s best for your child’s education.
If you’re considering homeschooling, you may also want to look into private schools or online education options. AOL School is one such option, which provides the benefits of homeschooling without all the responsibility of being a primary educator!
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