In the past, homeschooling often got a bad wrap. That was until there was no other option. The COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns over the last few years have forced many parents and students into homeschooling 101, which has not been without its adverse impacts on stress and everyday home life.
A UNESCO report stated that by the end of March 2020, over 1.5-billion pupils, 87-per cent of the world’s students, across 165 countries, had their education affected by the global lockdowns.
Every state and territory in Australia contributed to those numbers, and by early May of 2020, only three per cent of Victorian children were still learning in government schools.
Teachers and students from kindergarten to year 12 quickly had to improvise and adjust to a brand new remote, online education model that was essentially being invented as it was unfolding.
So, how did this affect students’ educational performance? Well, that depends a lot on the individual.
For example, kids with a more introverted personality may have thrived without distraction from more extroverted or disruptive peers. In contrast, more socially engaging kids may have felt the adverse effects of lack of community and socialisation.
Still, this is not the first peak in homeschooling statistics Australia has seen in modern history.
For example, the number of children being homeschooled in Australia grew by approximately 80% between 2011 and 2017. This figure indicates that in 2017, one in 200 students were being homeschooled in Australia.
An empirical analysis by the Widener Law Review in 2010 concluded that “Homeschooled children achieve levels of academic achievement similar to or higher than their publicly schooled peers”, results that were consistent regardless of racial and socioeconomic parameters.
While homeschooling performance may still need more conclusive studies, another question is often asked around the topic. Does homeschooling adversely affect a child’s social development?
Homeschool socials
There is no question that a child’s interaction with peers and other adults besides their family members is essential for healthy civil development. However, while homeschooling does reduce the time a student spends interacting with peers, does this have any adverse effects on socialisation skills?
Of course, being social with peers isn’t just about hanging out and making friends. Social interaction in developmental stages teaches kids to learn social cues, problem solve, develop emotional control and other critical skills for life.
Although research is far from abundant on this topic, the research that has been done seems to indicate positive social results for homeschooled children.
A study conducted by the journal of school choice found that not only do homeschool children perform just as well and, in some cases, better academically, they also seem to be well adjusted socially.
Fifteen other studies focused on this topic also concluded that 13 out of 15 students presented “clearly positive outcomes for the homeschooled compared to those in conventional schools.”
A study review performed by professor Richard G. Medlin, PhD at Stetson University published in the Peabody Journal of Education, found many other positive correlated results from homeschooling, including:
- Normal civil engagement
- Stronger parental relationships
- Contentment with life
- Hopeful mindsets
- Ethical and conscientious
- Traits of open-mindedness and willingness to try new things
- High levels of life satisfaction and more
These results sit in stark contrast to the popular homeschool rhetoric, and it seems a lot more research is warranted to help challenge outdated perceptions of homeschool models.
Social engagement
While daily social interactions may look slightly different for homeschooled children, the research indicates that alternative learning children are doing just fine with their social development.
Just because a child is homeschooled academically does not mean a child is isolated. Homeschooled children in urban areas commonly engage in all the same interactions as their peers, including:
- Playdates
- Sports
- Theatre groups
- Movies
- Martial arts
- Volunteer work
- Birthdays
- Outings and other extracurricular activities
It is also common for homeschooling parents to arrange homeschooling co-ops to provide environmental diversity and allow homeschooled children to interact.
Homeschooling co-ops are also beneficial to parents, as it provides them social interactions with other like-minded adults, providing similar interactions that parents receive in traditional social schools.
Many schools even offer extracurricular activities for homeschooled children, like arts and sports. Some children, especially those with neurodivergent ADHD, may benefit significantly from homeschooling.
It removes disruptions and overstimulation while focusing on their studies, allowing them to be more present during social interactions when their academic focus is not as essential.
Lions Education
Lions Education is at the forefront of modern homeschooling models. However, with the world in a state of flux following the COVID-19 pandemic, new approaches to homeschooling and children’s education have never been more relevant.
Our mission is to provide a framework that lets homeschooled children and their parents thrive throughout their homeschooling experiences and build a community that can support each other while developing an effective and sustainable homeschooling model. To register your interest visit https://www.lionseducation.com.au/parent-register-your-interest/