Saying the word Homeschooling out loud brings forth images of quietly learning in a cosy corner at home, gathering on the lounge with siblings all huddled around a great book.
It stirs thoughts of a tailored education that’s built around freedom and the unique needs of the child.
It is a path many families choose for these exact reasons. But for those that have felt isolation on their journey it can be a difficult path to follow.
If you’ve wondered how your child can truly connect with peers outside of the family home, read on as I have compiled a list of ideas for you.
The truth is, community isn’t just nice to have it is a vital ingredient for a thriving homeschool life, not only for your children but for yourself.
When creating a plan or a weekly schedule ensure that you include on that list, ’building our community’ as high up as possible.
Let’s jump into why building and engaging with a homeschool community can be the very lifeline that strengthens your entire journey. Why a ‘homeschool community’ matters!
For Your Children: Witness Them Bloom Through The Connections They Make
Beyond the academic lessons, childhood is a crucial time for social and emotional development. Homeschooling offers unique opportunities, but community adds essential layers:
- Socialisation Beyond Your Immediate Family: While family bonds are paramount, interacting with a diverse group of peers – different ages, backgrounds, and personalities – is invaluable. Community provides this rich social experience where children learn crucial skills like cooperation, negotiation, empathy, and effective communication in varied settings. It’s where they forge friendships based on shared interests, expanding their social horizons beyond the immediate family.
- Diverse Learning Experiences: Imagine your child exploring science concepts in a co-op led by a passionate science enthusiast, or participating in a drama club with children who bring different creative energies. Community opens doors to diverse teaching styles, perspectives, and areas of expertise that might be challenging to provide single-handedly. Learning alongside others can also ignite motivation and create a sense of shared discovery.
- Accountability and Motivation Boost: Let’s be honest, sometimes even the most enthusiastic learners need a little nudge, and that includes us, the parent educator! Being part of a learning group can foster a sense of accountability for homework and participation. The shared experience of learning and the encouragement from peers can be a powerful motivator, making learning feel less like a solitary task and more like a group adventure.
- Developing Independence and Confidence: Navigating social dynamics within a community – sharing ideas, resolving disagreements, taking turns – these all help children develop essential life skills and build confidence in their social abilities. Whether it’s presenting in a group or simply making new friends, these experiences foster independence and self-assurance.
For You, the Homeschooling Parent: Finding Your Tribe
The homeschooling journey, while rewarding, can often feel isolating and like you are navigating uncharted waters. This is where the support of a trusted community becomes indispensable:
- Emotional Support and Banishing Isolation: Homeschooling parents juggle multiple roles – teacher, administrator, chef, taxi driver, emotional support worker and the list goes on! It’s natural to feel overwhelmed or isolated at times. A community provides a safe space to connect with others who truly understand the unique joys and challenges of this lifestyle. It’s a network of understanding ears, shoulders to lean on, and voices that can say, “Yes, I’ve been there too.” Your homeschool community certainly won’t tell you to send your kids to school when times are tough. They get you and what you are going through.
- Sharing Resources and Bright Ideas: Homeschool parent community groups are a fabulous way of tapping into a collective pool of knowledge! They are fantastic for sharing curriculum recommendations, effective teaching strategies, engaging activity ideas, and valuable local resources. You might discover a hidden gem of a field trip or a brilliant way to explain a tricky concept, all thanks to the shared wisdom of your community. Explore your local area for in person groups and seek out online homeschool community groups that offer this kind of support and camaraderie.
- Practical Support and Collaborative Power: From organising co-op classes that share the teaching load to planning group excursions that are more affordable and fun, community enables practical collaboration. Need a last-minute childcare swap? Looking to carpool to an event? Your community can be an invaluable source of practical assistance. This is one area that I have been truly grateful for in times of need. Having a trusted community around me that will lend a helping hand is truly invaluable.
- Professional Development and Personal Growth: Interacting with other homeschooling parents exposes you to a diverse range of parenting styles, homeschooling philosophies, and innovative resources. You can learn from the experiences of seasoned homeschoolers and discover new approaches that might resonate with your family. It’s a continuous learning curve, and your community is your built-in professional development network.
- Building Lasting Friendships: Beyond the practical and educational benefits, homeschool communities often foster deep and lasting friendships among parents. Connecting with others who share your values and understand your daily life can be incredibly enriching and provide a vital sense of belonging. It’s a true blessing to see all of your kids graduate and remain friends with the parents that you spent all of these years homeschooling with.
Where To Connect With Your Homeschool Tribe
Ready to tap into the power of community? Here are some avenues to explore:
- Local Homeschool Groups and Co-ops: A simple online search for “homeschool groups near me” can yield fantastic results. Check local libraries, community centres, and even social media platforms for established groups.
- Online Forums and Social Media Groups: Platforms like Facebook (including our very own Homeschool Resource Finder community!) offer a wealth of online communities where you can connect with homeschoolers locally and globally.
- Libraries and Community Centres: These often host homeschool meetups, workshops, or activity days.
- Shared Interest Groups: Connect with families whose children share similar hobbies (e.g., a nature club, a robotics team).
- Don’t Be Afraid to Start Your Own: If you can’t find a group that perfectly fits your needs, consider taking the initiative to start one! In fact this is almost a prerequisite to homeschooling – stepping up and organising what you and your children seek. Given that homeschooling is still very much a grass roots movement it is imperative that the parents within the community take the initiative to create what they desire.
Tips for Engaging with the Community
Once you find your community (or communities!), here are a few tips for making the most of it:
- Be Proactive: Attend meetings, participate in activities, and reach out to other members.
- Be Open-Minded: Be willing to connect with families who may have different homeschooling styles or beliefs.
- Offer Support: Community thrives on reciprocity. Look for ways to contribute and help others.
- Find Your Comfort Zone: Explore different groups to find the ones where you and your children feel most comfortable and connected.
- Be Patient: Building strong relationships takes time and consistent effort.I always recommend to attend an ongoing group of classes or activities that meet weekly for at least one full school term and commit to attend every single week. At the end of that term then assess if the community group is the right fit for your family. For some children it really can take several weeks for them to feel comfortable and begin to make friendships.
The Gift of Togetherness
Homeschooling is a unique and rewarding journey. But it doesn’t have to be a solitary one. By actively seeking out and engaging with a homeschool community, you weave a richer, more supportive, and ultimately more successful experience for your family’s learning adventure. So, take that first step, reach out, connect, and discover the incredible strength and joy that comes from learning together.
We invite you to share your experiences with homeschool communities inside our very own Homeschool Resource Finder Community! What benefits have you experienced? What advice would you offer to those just starting to connect? Let’s build our Homeschool Resource Finder community together!
