Charity Begins at Home – Social Lessons for Homeschoolers

Homeschooling seems to be one of the most controversial issues in education within the past few years because there doesn’t seem to be a standardized methodology to follow. Some school districts mandate specific subjects and the amount of time to be spent on each weekly, while other districts have stricter or more lenient rules – if any. All that aside, perhaps the most controversial aspect of homeschooling is what is perceived to be the lack of socialization. If you are a homeschooler, there are ways to teach your kids social skills without sending them to an educational institution.

How Some Homeschoolers Have Addressed Socialization

There are some parts of the country where homeschooling is more prevalent than other areas. You will often find that in regions where homeschooling is trendy, parents get together to form a little community among themselves. They plan activities for the children so that each child is exposed to different personalities. This helps children to learn to get along with others. Homeschooling can be tough on kids who are social creatures by nature, so planning activities with other children can alleviate that sense of isolation so many homeschoolers feel.

Teaching That Others Have Needs Too!

One of the most difficult social skills to address in homeschooled children is teaching them that others have needs too. When a child is homeschooled, especially a child with no siblings, they may never learn that others have needs as well. Everything the parent does is for that child and that child alone. All subjects are tailored to the child and all activities are also planned for that child’s likes and needs.

For this reason, many homeschooling parents get their kids involved in community works of charity. They organize projects such as fundraisers for cancer research or form a group to walk for the March of Dimes. Parents and kids can learn all about fundraising for cancer research at sites like https://pcrf-kids.org/. While this helps to bring vital funding into a research foundation, it also teaches kids about the needs of others less fortunate than themselves.

Adding Depth to the Meaning of Charity

Sometimes, the meaning of the word ‘charity’ is almost totally misconstrued. For some reason, we have come to associate the term with giving alms to the poor. Giving gifts to the needy is only one aspect of charity, but the deeper understanding of the term is ‘love.’ Having love for someone means you are willing to give, but giving isn’t always charity.

Teaching your child that charity begins at home is somehow meant to help students better define love and living a life of love. Yes, charity is the basis for doing something for those less fortunate than yourself, but it is also the reason why you do it. Love is a very important social skill that isolation doesn’t foster. If you want your child to excel in the academics you feel are lacking in public education, don’t forget to also teach them social skills brought about by charity. Charity is caring, and this is a lesson every child should master.