The New Parent reminded me of the most common comment I receive about homeschooling, "What about socialization?"
To me, socialization is so much more than just learning to relate to other children at school. Anyone who has "socialized" a puppy, knows that it is about exposing the puppy to a wide variety of common people and circumstances so that it will feel comfortable with life. In that context, school is just a small part of what a child will experience in their life.
My children go to our neighborhood park to play with other children. They will play with any children that want to play, toddlers or teens. I was happy to find out that my 11 year old daughter was also sitting and talking with the moms at the park. I have gotten nothing but good remarks on how sweet my children are, and how well they play with other children. I also get remarks on how well they play with each other. Well, sometimes they are all they have, so they have been forced to learn to get along with each other.
It is funny now to look back on the comments I have received about socialization. At the beginning, when my children were young, I would try to respond positively, but in my heart, I had a lot of worries. Now, my children are 9, 12 and 14, and I know they are well-socialized, well-adjusted children, who are a pleasure to be around.
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Thanks for the interesting post. As I've thought about the "socialization issue" relating to homeschooling, I started to observe that it may also be about the need for a child to have social skills before they are "thrown" into a peer group. My daughter hasn't gone to preschool or daycare, yet her social skills are generally finer then her peers. She has been taught how to be with others (of all age ranges) and when put with her peers does well.
ReplyDeleteDo you think that the "rush" to socialize toddlers with large peer groups may be a premature step by parents?
Might they be abrogating their role as teacher of their child to the group at an age when the child needs to learn the skill of socializing?
Just a thought or two.
In my opinion, the most important element is parental attention. Whether in daycare, public school, private school or homeschool, the children who get attention from their parents and have a stable home life, are the ones who will succeed.
ReplyDeleteThe children who don't receive adequate attention from home, will seek out attention from their peer group and begin to adopt the values of the peer group as well.
To me, the value of homeschooling is the chance for my children to form a strong sense of self before they are immersed in their peer group.
If I were in a position where I had to send them to school, I think they could still do well, but it would be so much harder for them.
I think they would do well also and I agree, it would be harder. Many children that I come into contact with who are being preschooled take on the "wildness" of their young peer group.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the goal of the preschool and the home are unintentionally different?