There are so many teen activities for home-schoolers that they need
never feel bored or left out. Under-socialisation is one of the most often cited negative effects of homeschooling. It is true that without some extra input on the part of the homeschooling parents, teens who are schooled at home could end up isolated, lonely and suffering emotional handicaps such as shyness, anxiety and social vulnerability.
Luckily there are countless ways to avoid this possibility and to ensure that homeschooled teens have just as much educational fun with their friends as regular schooled teens. Here are some homeschooling tips for
ensuring your teen makes the absolute most of the freedom and
flexibility that homeschooling gives them - and you!
Sports and Physical Education are part of the curriculum, so you
will obviously want to build this into your teen's homeschooling day.
However, the beauty of homeschooling is that activities don't have to
take place at a set time. These sports can be participated in after
normal school time, so that home-schooled teens are mixing well with
conventionally-schooled kids.
There is even an added bonus for
homeschooling parents worried about socialising issues - what better
way to make the most of both worlds than by having your teen join a
regular group of other young people to enjoy fresh air, exercise and
competitive sports? Physical education definitions can be a bit
limiting in regular schools, but teen home-schoolers can apply it to
any calorie-burning activity - and that includes cheer-leading,
disco-dancing, line-dancing, hip-hop, break dancing - or even yoga or
pool aerobics!
Teens who enjoy their regular sports classes or clubs may want to
take their input further, as certain sports and activities have
fixtures and competitions. This is really great because teens are then
learning to co-operate and work as a team. They may even broaden their
experience by cross-country travel to conventions and events. Who knows
it may even involve developing their language learning skills if the
trips turn international!
Teen activities for home-schoolers don't always have to revolve
around education of course. In order to avoid some of the perceived negative effects of homeschooling, many homeschooling organisations run
'meets' to help kids schooled at home socialise with others like
themselves. Some groups are small, suburban and local because this also
helps families to get together and share the odd class or two, or club
together towards a tutor.
But after the schoolwork is done, there are
often barbecues, bake-outs, yard sales and day trips to zoos, museums
and galleries. In the case of educational visits, teens have the
benefit of a leisurely stroll around uncluttered galleries where they
can take their time soaking up all the culture, scientific displays or
art - all the other kids are in school!
As teens grow and become more mature, it is good for them to broaden
their horizons. Teen activities a bit further away from home come to
the fore and homeschooling groups may organise weekends away to campgrounds.
Here home-schooled teens can meet with other
groups from across the state or country and pick up skills in
self-caring, independent living, supervised cooking over an open fire,
fishing and kayaking! When they are older still, clubs such as Boy and
Girl Scouts have international youth camping events all over the world.
Music clubs too are a great way of involving homeschooled teens as
full participating citizens in society. There are many orchestras, wind
bands and societies that homeschooled teens can join. This gives them
an opportunity to use and practice their skills and give joy to others.
This is good for their music, personal development and citizenship
skills. They may even get the opportunity to travel.
Language exchanges are another cool way for home-schooled teens to
enjoy activities which are beneficial to their development as young
citizens. Some homeschooling organisations have links with similar
groups in other countries wanting to give their teens broadening
experiences which will help them become fully-rounded global citizens.
Exchange visits can be planned where families offer a place in their
home to a young student from France, London or even China! Both teen
students get to learn a new language and hone their accent! Also, they
are learning geography and cultural studies - and having a vacation.
So there are plenty of teen activities for homeschoolers! - and no need for them to run any risks of negative effects of homeschooling, such as loneliness or social awkwardness. You just
need to get out the schooling schedule and build in some fun and
exciting regular sessions outside the home - and maybe even further
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