Are you homeschooling social kids who always want to work on school with someone else? Do they thrive with field trips, with friends, and snuggling with you on the couch to read? Are they interested in social studies, watching other people, and understanding more about social behaviors? Have you ever thought to yourself, “I wish they would be willing to work alone for a bit!”?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you are raising what we call a Friend Learner.
We know it can be a challenge to find a balance in educating kids who would much rather be social than “do school”, today we’ll offer some tips to help them thrive.
Homeschooling Social Kids- You’ve Got a Friend in Me!
Friend learners want to learn with more friends involved! We recognize this can be tricky. Especially when you have other children to give your attention to. Or maybe, like me, you’re raising an only child and don’t have the ability- or energy- to be their primary social outlet every day. By tapping into their desire to connect & learn about others, you can find an educational approach that works for both of you.
Tips for helping social kids learn-
Merge homeschooling with social time
This is the biggest key for Friend learners. We have to let go of the idea of “school” looking like quiet work alone with these kids. Yes, I will provide you with tips for how to get some quiet alone work below. AND your Friend learner is going to totally wither if this is what they’re expected to do all day.
Our Co-Op handbook has 30 projects Friend Learners can work on with others. It is a mix of life skills, outdoor activities, and community service projects your Friend Learner will love. These do not have to be done with a co-op. Let your friend learner pick who to complete them with- friends, family, a small group, or-yes- a co-op. Some Friend Learners want to do one a week while others want to do one a month, quarter, or semester to really dive in. Work with them to figure out what they’d most like to do.
Let them study their interests
These kids are often interested in social studies. They really enjoy learning about other cultures, communities, people groups, careers, and all things people-related. Animals are also often a big interest, and they may want to involve a pet in their school day. World Tour is an especially popular journal for Friend learners as it involves cultures and animals! The Guide to Birth Work is popular among a lot of Friend teens who want to either be involved in birth work or have children of their own one day. By tapping into their interests, you can set them up to love learning. As a bonus, they’ll often be more than willing to work on school work alone when it is something they are interested in.
Utilize time together in nature and field trips
Your Friend learner will open up in a totally different way outdoors and on Field Trips. Homeschooling social kids usually means a lot of outings. These kids often really enjoy going out with our Bird Watching Journal. Bird watching is a perfect togetherness activity, especially as you learn more about different birds using the Book of State Birds. Kids get so excited when they correctly identify a bird out in nature and document it themselves! They also feel more bonded through the shared experience with whomever they’re bird-watching. Field Trips are another great way to provide this outlet for them.
Provide ways to set up their school work together
Give your child a dedicated chunk of time together to set up their learning. It will help meet their need for time together, and that, in turn, will fill their bubble enough they’ll be able to work independently for a bit. Math Mysteries is a favorite for Friend Learners. You can create problems for them to solve in this journal. Kids often love it when you create silly or seemingly extremely difficult problems- that they can meet with success!
If you can take a bit of time to read together every day, that will make a big difference too. A Day Like Tomorrow is a fun little book about being together wither others and animals. Gather up some beautiful Living Books to read together before your child starts their school work. Fill their cup of “togetherness” time and tap into something they are learning about.
Setting up your Friend Learner’s core journal with them is also helpful. Some Friends open up a blank core journal and feel overwhelmed. Homeschooling with Pets is one of the most popular core journals for Friend learners. Sit down with them once a day or once a week to “preview” what they will work on. You may need to make some notes in the journal for what exactly they should be working on- which book, how many pages from the book, etc. Some Friend learners also like to have a note made for activities they can do with someone else.
Mom School!
Friend Learners LOVE it when Mom (or another adult/older sibling) sits next to them during school. Mom School gives you an opportunity to be a good example of lifelong learning while giving your child the feeling of connection they desire. You can invite your Friend learner to color in your journal or “help” you with different words as you’re reading/writing. Many moms homeschooling social kids like to select a journal to work on together. You and your child can each get a copy and learn with each other.
Leave space for creativity, art, and “breathing room” for their brains
Even the most extroverted of children- and adults- need time alone. They will burn themselves out and sometimes even make themselves sick if they don’t get it. We incorporate a lot of art and creativity in our journals to give a pause. Art has been shown to help the brain process what it has already learned- as well as just life in general! It is critical for Friend learners to become comfortable with taking time alone to pause and go inward a bit. Comfort & Joy Brain Games is a favorite for Friends- full of all things cozy and togetherness. Have your student do a few pages from it every week.
Involve other family members or friends
If possible, invite someone else older to come alongside your student for part of their schooling. They can work through a journal of interest together, sit and read aloud, or take them on field trips. Laura & Leah’s Journal for Two and Spelling Time for Two were both created with Friend Learners in mind! So was our Storytelling Book. These would be fantastic journals to bring someone else to work on with your student. Older siblings often really enjoy getting to “teach” their younger sibling. Or see if a nearby relative, friend, or trusted neighbor can help. We’ve even had distant relatives purchase a journal to work on via video chat with a child. Get creative in involving others.
Ask for their feedback and go with the flow
It can be hard to find balance when homeschooling social kids. Ask for their feedback regarding having their desire for time with others met. Sometimes, we make our plan, and it goes well for a bit, so we don’t think to check in again. I find checking in about every six weeks is best. Six weeks gives everyone a good feel for the current rhythm and then changes can be made. Be willing to go with the flow. Your Friend learner will likely have cycles where they desire more or less time with others. You are their best advocate!
If you’re homeschooling social kids, we’ve created this bundle just for them. It contains our most popular journals for Friend Learners and a suggested lesson plan. It and many of the journals mentioned above are on SALE for our February 2025 Friend Month.
WIN THIS BUNDLE –
Hop over to Facebook and Instagram for a chance to WIN the bundle. Hurry, the contest ends on Saturday, February 8th.
Stay tuned monthly as we announce a new secret theme with sales, giveaways, bundles, tips, and more.
Let us know what other questions and resources would be helpful for you to homeschool your Friend kid!
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