Socialization and Homeschooling
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"But how will they socialize?" is a common question flung at homeschooling parents. Very well, thanks to their freedom from the walls and boundaries of formal schooling.
Unless a parent's purpose in homeschooling is to isolate a child from all but the immediate family (a sign of child abuse), the child's social experiences will be far better than what most experience in the school system.
For one thing, homeschooled children earn social skills from those of a variety of ages, rather than mainly adults and same aged children. Without the artificial, age-segregated borders, homeschooled children tend to form friendships that are based on values and interests rather than cliques.
Before looking at specifically how they will socialize, let's look at how they will not socialize. Homeschooled children are not subject to the bullyism that is so prevalent in schools today. They will also not be subject to the ongoing peer pressure to be "in," to dress a certain way, or to feign, or take on, the values of a particular clique that may be the child's last resort at belonging somewhere in the jungle of school. They will not face ongoing pressure to follow, whether that is in experimenting with drugs, treating someone cruelly or allowing themselves to be treated wrongly.
If you search online you will find many solid studies have been done that show that homeschooled children, as a whole, are far better socialized than formally schooled children.
For example, in the late 1960s and early 1970s, educational professionals, Raymond and Dorothy Moore, began researching Early Childhood Education movement. Based on their research and that of many others, they concluded that formal schooling before the ages of 8 to 12 often proved harmful to children, especially to boys, academically, emotionally and socially. Their studies, like many others, showed that formal education caused behavioral problems, including juvenile delinquency.
Research over the years has proven that socialization for homeschoolers is simply not an issue.
As "Homeschooling - a Social Experiment" http://www.nhen.org/media/default.asp?id=356 points out, for true socializing, children need many things that the confines of school doesn't allow, things such as the freedom to explore their own backyard, neighborhood and community; a close relationship with a caring adult and role models; the freedom to choose, create, play, express themselves, explore and just to grow; and if in the primary grade age range or younger, a secure, predictable environment that is completely free from negative influences.
If your neighborhood isn't one conducive to your child's socializing, there are many other options found in most communities, such as these:
- Local homeschooling network (check online, with your school, church or newspaper).
- YMCA or YWCA (the pool and recreational activities).
- Church or other spiritual place of worship or fellowship.
- Special interest classes and clubs.
- City Parks and Recreation.
- Volunteer Activities (such as at animal sanctuaries, senior homes, beach clean up programs, etc.).
When your children begin to make friends at activities, you can help to encourage the friendships. If your child is young, you can make play dates for them. For older kids, encourage them to invite friends over and then make your home inviting by offering snacks but not hovering.
Remember that for homeschooled children, socialization means learning to get along, not to go along!
http://www.nhen.org/media/default.asp?id=337
Enjoy your Homeschooling.
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