FAQ > How can my children have a social life if they're homeschooled?

Choose... How do I start? What if I don't have a teaching degree? Can I homeschool if I am living on a very tight budget? What material would be helpful for a Black-oriented curriculum? Where can I get Black-oriented educational material for my children? How do I withdraw my children from a school in Ontario? Why have parents rejected institutionalized schooling for their children? How can I find other homeschoolers of colour in my area? How can I teach about our history (esp. slavery) without engendering hate? Can I just homeschool just one of my children? How does my child earn high school credits while homeschooled? What about going to university or college after only homeschooling? How can my children have a social life if they're homeschooled? Where do I purchase the curriculum? What are the resources I can use? I want to be an AHA Rep or start a Chapter for my area I'm not in Peterborough. Is there an AHA representative in my area? Are there any books or sites about Black homeschoolers who have done it or are doing it? Which catalogues and material are must-haves? What curriculum do I use? Do I have to use a curriculum? What about learning on the internet? Where are some great sites? How do I join AHA?

So many ways! Children do not need to be amongst 30 - 40 other same-aged children, almost all day, 5 days a week, to learn how to interact with their peers, and, to have a social life. Plus, the quality of socialisation provided by a public school environment tends to be contrary to the values and beliefs of many Black parents. Community recreation centres, the YMCA, libraries, churches, Scouts Canada, Girl Guides, youth drop-in centres and other community-based services exist that your children can take advantage of. There may also be a homeschooling support group in your area, and if there isn't one, you can create one. You might even wish to consider becoming an AHA Rep. To find out which family and children's services may be available to you, go to 211 Toronto Database, FourInfo (central eastern Ontario) and the Yellow Pages. Your library should also have a copy of a Blue Book of Community and Social Services, Community services directory, or, there may be a phone-in Community Info Centre for your region. View our Other Resources and Organizations pages.