Homeschooling Introverts

Homeschooling introverts is something I can easily write about because most of my children, including myself and my husband are introverted. I think some parents think homeschooling an introverted child sounds ideal because they more likely are going to be content being at home and are less likely to beg for friends to come over or go out somewhere. All of those characteristics can make homeschooling easier, but as with everything in life, there are also challenges. Here is what I have learned about homeschooling introverts.

Give Them Downtime

Even though I am an introvert, I prefer to go out more than my children do. When I hear of a cool field trip to go on or a fun outing, I am the one who is the most excited to go. Most days we go out somewhere. Sometimes it’s just in the morning, or only afternoon, or maybe the evening. Considering the amount of work it takes to get everyone ready, we do get out quite a bit. 

Since we have a busy schedule, I have learned to be careful with the amount of time we spend out of the house. I say no to outings for the sole purpose of letting my kids stay home and play. To some that may look like we have nothing going on, but the space to relax and play is necessary for them. Plus, the time at home helps me keep up with housework.

Striking a Balance in Your Schedule

Striking a good balance of staying at home and going out has taken a lot of trial and error, and it has changed as my kids have grown. When my boys were four and two years old, we would alternate between a whole day at home and a day where we go out somewhere. It kept them happy because it was good balance. These days, I have somewhere to go most every day. Since my two oldest boys are older, they can handle it fine. What I do now is I reserve a few afternoons a week for downtime.

Invite Friends Over

I used to be intimidated to invite people over to my house, especially if I didn’t know them very well. Over the years, I have become better at having people over for dinner or a playdate. My children have also grown in this area as well. 

When they were smaller it wasn’t always easy to have people over, but I kept trying. It was hard because I always wondered what people thought about me and my shy children. As I have gotten older, I don’t care as much about what people think. Instead, I care more about raising my children to be hospitable and welcoming to others when people come over. 

Let Them Find Their Interests

This thought goes back to having downtime. My kids feel recharged when the home is orderly (sometimes that’s hard to maintain, but it’s possible) and they have time to pursue their interests. What I have seen is their interests – reading, drawing, studying maps or the learning about the weather – have made them interesting to talk to. It’s their interests that bring their minds to life. For introverts, ideas are almost as essential as meals. Kids like this tend to have a rich inner thought life. All that alone time is not a waste of time.

Choosing How to Socialize

If you talk to any introvert, they will admit that they probably prefer getting together one-on-one or in a small group, but not in a huge, gigantic, loud group. Our culture prefers the big crowds, but introverts usually don’t care for that type of socializing. In the past, we have done large group events, and most of the time none of my kids enjoyed them. That doesn’t mean I don’t sign up for those types of activities, but it does mean that I am mindful of how often I am participating in large group events.

It’s good to be stretched, but it’s also good to know what situations help you make friends. I prefer one-on-one or a small group. I find that I’m not really socializing when I am in a large group. It’s the same for my kids. The one-on-one playdates are where we have made friends.

Last Thoughts

Being an introvert is a gift, and homeschooling introverts is also a gift. In a world where extroverted qualities are more highly valued, you can forget that skills like observation, concentration, pondering, and asking meaningful questions, are amazing skills to have (I’m not saying extroverts don’t have any of those skills). My kids can be quiet for a while reading, but then suddenly, they have so much to talk about and share from their books. They have strengths. Homeschooling helps me bring out their strengths. Comment what you have learned from homeschooling introverted children.

Carly from DesertHomeschoolDays