Homeschooling is becoming increasingly popular, with more students trading classroom educational opportunities for learning in their own home. Regardless of why parents or students choose to homeschool, it is important to recognize that friendship, socialization, and communication are integral parts of the human experience.
Making friends is an important step for homeschoolers to take, and this article will provide thirteen helpful tips for homeschoolers who would like to make more friends.
1. Participate in Local Homeschooling Events
One of the best ways for homeschoolers to make friends is by participating in organized homeschooling events. In many locations, there are homeschooling cooperatives or organizations that organize social activities and field trips for homeschoolers to attend.
These events can provide a prime opportunity for interest-based activities, allowing students to meet and build relationships with their peers. These events may also offer a variety of enrichment activities, allowing homeschoolers to network with and meet people who share their academic interests. In order to find local homeschooling events, a quick online search can turn up potential events.
Homeschooling organizations often post information about their events on social media, and local libraries and newspapers may also advertise prospects. Homeschoolers can also contact their local homeschooling organization for additional information about upcoming local events.
2. Join Local Homeschooling Clubs and Organizations
If a homeschooler cannot find any homeschooling events in their area, they should consider joining a local homeschooling club or organization. Many organizations also offer several services, such as access to learning materials, that help homeschoolers stay organized and academically sound. As an extra benefit, homeschooling organizations often provide opportunities to interact with and build relationships with their peers.
Homeschoolers can gain access to these organizations by searching online for local options. Often, these organizations provide information about their meetings, events, and activities online, allowing homeschoolers to assess whether they want to join.
3. Utilize Social Media Platforms
Social media is a powerful tool for connecting homeschoolers to likeminded people. Numerous social media platforms, such as Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter, offer homeschoolers a virtual platform to express their thoughts, ideas, and emotions.
Homeschoolers can reach out to other homeschoolers on these platforms, allowing them to make real relationships with peers who understand their unique circumstances. Getting involved in social media is easy. All homeschoolers need to do is search for various other homeschoolers on their favorite platform and reach out to them.
Additionally, homeschoolers can join groups on social media that are specifically designed for connecting homeschoolers.
4. Attend Community Events
Attending community events is another great way for homeschoolers to interact with their peers and build relationships. Community events usually provide a range of options for people of all ages and interests. By attending these events, homeschoolers can network with people outside of the homeschooling community, giving them the opportunity to meet a wider range of people.
Homeschoolers can attend community events by actively searching for local events occurring in their area. Most community events are advertised publicly and can be easily found on local government websites, as well as newspapers, libraries, and other locations.
5. Get Involved in Local Volunteer Opportunities
Local volunteer opportunities are not just a great way to make a difference in the community, but they can also be great for meeting people. By volunteering alongside other people, a homeschooler can get to know others and build relationships with them.
Local volunteer opportunities are abundant in most areas. For example, homeschoolers can look into volunteering at soup kitchens, animal shelters, food pantries, and service organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters. Homeschoolers can find volunteer opportunities by searching online or inquiring at local service organizations.
Additionally, many volunteer organizations will post online about their volunteering needs and opportunities.
6. Departmentalize Your Education
Departmentalizing education is a great way for homeschoolers to make friends while also getting an education. Departmentalized education is when a homeschool student takes classes or enrolls in an online program to receive a credits or grades. Through these programs, homeschoolers are able to interact with others and get an education at the same time.
Homeschoolers can receive departmentalized education from accredited schools, universities, or colleges. Additionally, homeschoolers may also be able to take classes at their local community college or university.
7. Take Skill-Building Courses Online
Online skill-building courses are an excellent way for homeschoolers to gain skills and friendships at the same time. Skill-building courses cover topics such as mathematics, science, coding, and photography.
In these courses, homeschoolers can learn about the topic with guidance from qualified teachers, as well as interact with their peers online. Homeschoolers can find online courses by searching online, looking in local newspapers, or inquiring at their local library. Additionally, there may be websites specifically dedicated to providing homeschoolers with online courses.
8. Use Technology to Connect with Friends
With technology becoming increasingly widespread and advanced, it is easier than ever for homeschoolers to connect with their peers online. Homeschoolers can use online communication devices, such as Facetime or Skype, to speak with other homeschoolers. Additionally, homeschoolers can use these devices to play virtual games or movies together, allowing them to stay connected with their friends and peers.
Homeschoolers can find other homeschoolers to connect with on social media, forums, or chat platforms. Additionally, homeschoolers can also use video calling apps or websites, such as Zoom or Google Hangouts, to easily connect with other homeschoolers.
9. Participate in Local Events
Local events, such as farmers markets, neighborhood cookouts, or city festivals, offer homeschoolers an opportunity to network with and meet people from their local community. By attending these events, homeschoolers can learn about local hot-spots, businesses, and resources, in addition to meeting new people. Homeschoolers can find local events by searching online or looking in local newspapers.
Additionally, local government websites, libraries, and other similar establishments are great places to start looking for local events.
10. Consider Online Learning and Friendship Opportunities
Online learning and friendship opportunities are offered by numerous websites and are a great way for homeschoolers to not only make friends but also pursue their interests together. These online learning opportunities usually involve students of similar ages and interests working together to complete tasks, assignments, or projects. Additionally, these online teaching platforms provide the opportunity to meet people who share the same interests and goals.
Homeschoolers can find online teaching and friendship opportunities by searching online. Additionally, many online teaching platforms offer courses specifically tailored for homeschoolers or cater to different ages and interests.
11. Connect Through Sports and Outdoor Activities
Sports and outdoor activities are a great way for homeschoolers to broaden their horizons and make friends. By getting involved in sports and physical activities, homeschoolers can connect with people from different backgrounds and experiences, as well as build teamwork skills.
Homeschoolers can find sports and outdoor activities by searching online for local clubs and organizations. Additionally, local schools and universities often have clubs dedicated to physical activities, such as rock climbing or soccer.
12. Look for Online Homeschool Friendships and Pen Pals
Online homeschool friendships and pen pals are a great way for homeschoolers to find friends from other areas and make new connections. Websites designed to match homeschoolers with pen pals often pair homeschoolers with someone living in a different country or state, allowing them to learn about different cultures and lifestyles.
It also allows homeschoolers to gain new perspectives and to engage in meaningful conversations with their peers. Homeschoolers can find online homeschool friendships and pen pals by searching online. Additionally, many websites advertise their services on social media and local newspapers.
13. Attend Community Homeschool Groups
Attending community homeschool groups is a great way for homeschoolers to learn and make friends. There are many homeschool groupings, such as moms’ groups, teen groups, and book clubs, that provide unique and interesting opportunities for homeschoolers to connect with each other and discuss their experiences.
Homeschoolers can find community homeschool groups by searching online. Additionally, many homeschool groups advertise their services on social media, in local newspapers, and libraries. Conclusion: Making connections and friendships as a homeschooler can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be.
The thirteen tips for making friends as a homeschooler outlined above can help homeschoolers make meaningful connections and friendships outside of the classroom. Ultimately, forming a connection with a friend should be a positive and enjoyable experience, so take the tips above and start building your homeschooler friendship network today!