If your child is homeschooled, you probably already know how important it is to let your child be involved with various groups and activities with other children of a similar age. Homeschooling can be beneficial for some children, but it can also be very isolating. Belonging to sports groups, clubs, or attending regular community activities can help children make friends and engage with those around them. In fact, childhood socialization as a whole is exceptionally important and enriching for children. That’s why, here at Rebounderz of Apopka, we provide a unique program, called Home School Fridays. Twice a month, we open up our trampoline park to the local homeschool network so kids can play and bond, and parents can get to know one another. But along with amazing play, kids also benefit in the following ways.

Language

Younger and older children alike can benefit from regular socialization and interaction. This can help to improve language skills and vocabulary simply by using it. Isolation and interaction with the same people can actually reduce an individual’s ability to articulate ideas and recall specific words. You may also have noticed that children are notorious for mimicking the way adults and other children speak, whether with words or even accents. This is thought to be an empathetic mechanism in order to help fit in with and relate to the person they are speaking with. Either way, interacting with other individuals is sure to help a child’s language skills.

Sharing

If a child does not have the opportunity to socialize with a wide variety of individuals, then this can heavily impact their ability to share and work in groups. Their mindset becomes more focused on the individual, and they never truly learn the skills it takes to share and work in a community. Socializing your children helps to expand on their community skills and ability to interact with others in a reasonable and acceptable way. These are critical skills for future success.

Emotional Intelligence

It’s hard to be a sensitive individual who has emotional intelligence if you haven’t been around people from enough different backgrounds and situations in order to empathize with others. Poor emotional intelligence can cause problems forming bonds, and can make it a struggle to be sensitive to other people’s needs. By socializing regularly, this can help to improve a child or adolescent’s emotional intelligence.

Identity

Personal identity can be tricky for children who are homeschooled. Identity is often built through group interaction and comparison. Being exposed to other beliefs and diversity can help an individual to further define their own identity and figure out where they fit in the big picture. Socialization is key for making bonds and relationships that further define a child’s identity as well.

When it comes to helping children learn and grow, socialization is key in so many ways. When a child is homeschooled, it can be difficult to provide key components of socialization unless they are involved in regular clubs or activities. Rebounderz of Apopka helps to provide a necessary social environment for homeschooled children with Home School Fridays. Come by, hang out, and have fun in this safe environment!