How would you go about socializing a preschooler if they are home taught?

Question

Also, any information on homeschooling a preschooler would be appreciated. If you do homeschool preschooler(s), do you keep a daily and or weekly schedule. Where do you go for socializing? Would it be smart to enroll in a weekly mommy and me class at a daycare so he gets around other children his age? What about a weekly learning class for a couple of hours to be with other instrutors and children? Thanks for reading this!

Answer 1

PLaydates with family, friends, neighbors, church, playing at the park, MOPS(mothers of preschoolers),

There are many different types of mom's groups, just do a yahoo or google search for your area.

With a preschooler you are not required to keep any records or schedule. I would start implementing a daily routine but not overly structured. The best way your preschooler learns right now is through play.

Get on the floor with them and sing the alphabet song, play house, put shaving cream on the kitchen table and let them draw letters in it!  

Answer 2

Just because they're home taught doesn't mean that they have to stay at home.

What are your child's interests?  What resources are in your community?  You could organize a playday with other families in your area, you could enroll in Mommy and Me lessons (tumbling, swimming, whatever), you could do activities at the library, you could take part in local church Mom's Day Out or MOPS activities, and/or you could get together with some other local families for fun unit studies.

Seriously, at this age, your child doesn't need tons of time with strangers...he or she needs time with you.  Developmentally, children are still very tied to their parents at this age, and that's fine - they're supposed to be.  As your child gets older, you'll notice them wanting to be around other kids more.  That's really the time to branch out and get them involved in things.

I'm not saying to keep your child at home all the time, just that preschool isn't really the time to worry about socialization.  Up until just a couple of decades ago, it would have been unthinkable to ship a preschooler off to "socialize"...and honestly, they turned out fine.  We've had a huge societal shift in the past few decades that makes it almost unacceptable to parent our own children, for fear that they won't be "socialized".  My advice - get involved in a couple of things, but value this time with your child.  It goes fast, and there's plenty of time for social things as they get older.

Answer 3

I'd look for a few structured and unstructured activities for your child.  Classes like ballet, swimming or karate are a good idea.  It's also important for preschool aged kids to have time for unstructured play.  Check in your area for moms clubs and playgroups.  If you belong to a church with childcare or sunday school classes while the adults are at services it would give your child a chance to be with his/her peers.  

Answer 4

if your preschooler is interested in an activity like dance or karate you could enroll them in a class so they can meet other kids.  

check out local parks and playgrounds.  I have 2 girls, 4 and 2 ,who meet lots of kids their age at the playground right down the street.

Answer 5

Well, you opted for home schooling which isolates the child.  Church ( Sunday School ) outings to the park, inviting age appropriate children in for play time can help the child become social. Public schooling teaches more than just the ABCs. It teaches children the rules of the road and how to socialize in this world.  

Answer 6

Don't let people tell you that home schooled kids are not socialized. They are socialized just as well or better in the best way for each child.

You could do any of the things you mentioned, you know your child better than anyone else - that is why home schooling is so great. It is taught by parents with love.

We try to expose them to different things, then encourage the activities they enjoy and/or excel at.

Answer 7

Don't over do the structure, they really don't need it at this age. Join your local homeschooling group, go to storytime at the library, go to the park, invite your friends and their kids over. The "Mommy and Me" class is just an expensive way of doing the stuff you can do for free and a weekly learning class is unneccesary. He doesn't need other instructors, he has parents. He learns "socialization" from you and his family. He socializes by playing with other kids, which happens naturally. We are in the SCA, so my daughter socializes by running around there with all the other kids. Her dad and I socialize by hanging out with the other adults. It's a good system :)

Answer 8

Oh, please chill.  It's preschool for heaven's sake.  That's not even homeschooling.  Just provide an educational environment for your home.  Borrow books from the library regularly, fiction and nonfiction on subjects he finds interesting written on or slightly above his level and of course read them to him.  Educational toys are building blocks, doctor kits, games, puzzles, play register and money, etc.  Limit tv because it's bad for their development and don't get them started on video games because they're addictive.  Provide art supplies and encouragement and play all kinds of music.  Socialization starts with you.  Get together with friends and their kids, go to playgrounds.  Formal writing and reading lessons are counterproductive unless THEY ask you for it.  (Which is rare.)

Answer 9

Check out this website: http://www.universalpreschool.com/  It includes lots of info on homeschooling during the preschool years.

For socialization, check out your local homeschool park group.  Just google your town's name and the words "homeschool park day."  Also get your child involved in activities that interest him/her - arts, sports, singing, and the like.  

Also read this article on socialization: http://searchwarp.com/swa139135.htm

All the best to you and your child.

Answer 10

I can recommend several resources.

One is a book called "What Your Preschooler Needs To Know".  It is a part of the Core Knowledge series, that goes from K-6, and the preschool edition is new!

We also used a book called Ready For Kindergarten.  This is available through Amazon-I believe the author is Susan Wilcox, but in case I am mistaken I know that the cover is a purple and orange check design.  It has 3 learning activities a week.

Other resources you might be interested in are Story Stretchers and "More than Magnets".  Story Stretchers takes popular children's stories and gives you ideas to expand them into math, science, crafts, even snacks.  More than Magnets has some science activities, and there are also other books in that same series for the other subjects.

At the preschool age, learning should be more fun than formal.  I would also recommend a routine more than a schedule.  Have fun and be flexible!

Take nature walks around the neighborhood, visit the local Children's Museum, take part in story time at the library, etc. etc.  

You can enroll him in something, if you like-Tball, swim lessons, whatever he might be interested in.  That is physical activity as well.  

I am guessing that you are not going to lock him up inside of the house to never go outside, so he will continue to socialize the way he has all of his life-with family and friends, neighbors and others in the community, etc.  School is NOT the only source, and it is certainly not the best source, for socializing.

I hope this helps ,and wish you the best!

Answer 11

My daughter is starting school next year and we are going to be homeschooling her. We have been looking into activites such as, ballet, dance, gymnastics, piano lessons, etc. Also there is church-sundayschool kids youth. Good luck!!