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Homeschool SocializationIs homeschool socialization an oxymoron? Now that you have Junior locked away in the house, blinds closed, and no outside interference that could possibly corrupt your homeschool program, let the learning begin. There really are a lot of misconceptions about homeschooling.Socialization vs. Social LifeThese are two separate concepts. Socialization doesn’t magically occur when you put your child into a group of other children. Socialization occurs when a parent, teacher and sometimes other children teach your child appropriate behavior in different social settings. Socialization will occur through the family regardless of whether your child attends public or home school. Public schools may give your child more opportunities to interact with their peers in a public setting, but in my opinion, nothing can substitute for the parental influence in socialization.I’m a product of public schools, but to the best of my recollection, my parents taught me the majority of what behavior was expected of me in social settings. If you read my page on homeschool programs, I said that you are now the teacher, principal, cafeteria, janitor and school. Add “parent” to that list...it’s still your job to socialize your children. Your kids will have a social life (to the extent that you allow them to), so this really isn’t any different from sending kids to public schools. Besides, schools can provide for just as many bad socialization situations as good ones. Just because you choose to homeschool your kids, doesn’t mean they will be secluded and kept in a “cocoon”. Homeschool socialization occurs as you, (the teacher, parent, principal), allow it to occur. Kids learn by receiving instructions, and also by observation. What parents teach and do, has a lot to do with how their kids react in social settings. I’ve seen poorly socialized kids in school and beautifully socialized kids in homeschool (and vice versa), and parents seem to be the determining factor. So your child’s social life allows them to practice their socialization. So homeschool socialization is the same as family socialization. Effective Homeschool Socialization is as Varied as a Child’s PersonalityHomeschooled kids still participate in the community. They play sports, play music, have friends, go shopping, go swimming, and drive cars. There are plenty of socialization opportunities outside of the normal school day. Some kids are easily socialized, while others are not, so school isn’t the determining factor in proper socialization. The determining factor is your child’s personality, the parent’s guidance, the pressure from their peers, and the opportunity to make good and bad choices in their behavior.Please click here to return from homeschool socialization to homeschool curriculum
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