Is it Possible to Homeschool an Only Child?

Can you homeschool an only child? Many people worry that homeschooling an only child will isolate the child too much.  Nothing can be farther from the truth.  In fact, in some ways it is easier to homeschool an only child than it is to homeschool multiple children.  There are a number of things to take into account if you intend to successfully homeschool an only child.
First let’s look at the social
aspects.  Only children may seem isolated
because they do not live amid the hustle and bustle of a large family.  Large families seem to create their own
socialization opportunities because there are a number of people, of different
ages who are present.
 This does not mean
that only children must remain isolated. What it does mean is that
opportunities do not necessarily exist naturally, and must be created.
One way to do that is to make sure
that the only child has the opportunity to participate in activities outside
the home.  These opportunities can take
many shapes and forms.  The student might
participate in activities at the local recreation center.  Many municipalities have a parks and
recreation department that sponsors team sports or even individual activities
like archery, or crafting opportunities.
Other chances to socialize an only
child who is homeschooled exist through homeschool groups and homeschool
co-ops.  Homeschool groups are usually
support groups by nature, but they often provide play dates, group activities
such as skating or bowling, and field trip opportunities.  Homeschool groups also provide a place for
parents associate with other homeschoolers.
Support, both for the student and the parents is vital in
homeschooling.
Co-ops are another great
opportunity for families with only children.
Homeschool co-ops are usually groups of homeschoolers who band together
to provide educational experiences that would not be possible for single
students, or even single families.  Classes
such as science labs can be done with a co-op since the costs of lab equipment
will be split between all of the families that participate.   Additionally,
museums will often bring exhibits to the co-op if enough children are involved.
Co-ops also provide opportunities
for only children to participate in group sports, and participate in classroom
situations.  Classes such as chess class
allow students to work with other students.
Co-ops can provide the opportunity for students to participate in
science fairs and history/geography fairs which are sometimes denied to
homeschool students.
Don’t overlook community choirs,
community bands, and groups like 4-H, the county extension service, and church sponsored
groups.  All of these provide places for
homeschooled students, especially only children, to experience the
socialization and camaraderie that children in larger families and public
school settings sometimes take for granted. Participating in activities outside
of the home is also easier for only children mainly because fewer schedules are
affected by a change of schedule or multiple activities in one day.
Homeschooling an only child does
not have to be difficult, in fact, homeschooling an only child is great for
some things.  For example, the student
has the teacher/parent’s undivided attention.
For a student who might need extra help, or who are learning at an
accelerated pace having the teacher’s undivided attention is ideal.  With the appropriate support in place, be it
co-ops, support groups, or clubs, homeschooling an only child can be a very
rewarding experience for all involved.