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Originally Posted by zansmama  Yes! this is my main issue. I feel like it's natural for kids to learn from one another: even a need.
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I think it can be beneficial in the right circumstances but not necessary everyday. It is also okay to learn how to figure things out for yourself, or to be interested in learning something no one else is interested in.
We get together with another family one day a week to do science together, and with 3 other families every other week for art. We have also found many writing classes or book clubs at our public library for free in addition to various other community classes for those group experiences. My daughter is attending a creative writing camp at our local university for two weeks right now. Despite being an only who has predominantly learned alone for the last 3 years, she has been one of the most outgoing participants at camp, readily volunteering to read her work aloud. In fact, the 3 homeschooled kids at this camp are the most actively involved of the 50 or so mostly public schooled kids there. This was the child in preK and K who was declared (by her teacher) to be so introverted and shy that she would always be the quiet type who stays in the background and doesn't socialize.
I truly think that homeschooling has given her the time and space to become confident in herself. She has become socially more confident as well as rapidly progressed in academic areas. The group learning experience of a good Montessori school was not as good an experience for her even though it allowed for kids to learn from each other. The great thing about homeschooling is that you can seek out group or shared learning experiences as needed and when your child is ready for them.
Just my .02
