An important factor with homeschooling children is adequate socialization. You can find compelling arguments for both sides of the debate over educating at home and the impact it has on children. Just from the surface of this issue, it is obvious that public school age children will get more interaction than those children educated at home. Parents will counter this argument by saying there is more of a positive difference in the quality of interaction. There is also the benefit that children who are taught at home will have more opportunities for a richer and more varied experience. A lot will also depend on the structure of the home curriculum as well as the location of the child's home.
Many parents who home-school their children are aware of the concern regarding developing healthy social skills. So the natural result of that concern is to ensure there are adequate opportunities for social interaction. In fact, there are many options for including direct and more social types of excursions that are a part of the child's education.
But again this is part of the effort to make sure these children have a healthy and active social life. Because of this, homeschoolers are typically involved in performing arts classes like drama. Many parents enroll their children in classes for languages, music and art. Such classes only enhances the intellectual growth and social environment for the child. Concern for this issue is what motivates parents to be more proactive than they would otherwise be.
Communication plays a major role in the socialization process of children. The fact is, children are much more likely to be encouraged to express themselves in a healthy way at home than in school. In a classroom, kids are often reluctant to participate for fear of being made fun of or criticized, either by other students or the teacher. That is a universal experience in the US, and it serves to condition the student to withhold from discourse and debate. This does more to reduce a child's self esteem than to nurture it. The exact opposite effect occurs in the homeschooling situation. The child or student knows the parent will not be heavy-handed. If there are other kids present, it will probably be the child's brothers or sisters, who will be taught not to laugh at each other.
The issue of education, homeschooling and socialization is full of complexities.
Home schooling can provide children with some definite benefits, such as one-on-one instruction that's not possible in most schools. But it is clear that the parent/ teacher has enormous additional responsibilities. If children are going to grow up in a balanced manner, they must be given plenty of social opportunities as well as academic instruction. As long as parents keep this in mind, their children will enjoy all the benefits of home schooling and avoid the possible pitfalls.
Many parents who home-school their children are aware of the concern regarding developing healthy social skills. So the natural result of that concern is to ensure there are adequate opportunities for social interaction. In fact, there are many options for including direct and more social types of excursions that are a part of the child's education.
But again this is part of the effort to make sure these children have a healthy and active social life. Because of this, homeschoolers are typically involved in performing arts classes like drama. Many parents enroll their children in classes for languages, music and art. Such classes only enhances the intellectual growth and social environment for the child. Concern for this issue is what motivates parents to be more proactive than they would otherwise be.
Communication plays a major role in the socialization process of children. The fact is, children are much more likely to be encouraged to express themselves in a healthy way at home than in school. In a classroom, kids are often reluctant to participate for fear of being made fun of or criticized, either by other students or the teacher. That is a universal experience in the US, and it serves to condition the student to withhold from discourse and debate. This does more to reduce a child's self esteem than to nurture it. The exact opposite effect occurs in the homeschooling situation. The child or student knows the parent will not be heavy-handed. If there are other kids present, it will probably be the child's brothers or sisters, who will be taught not to laugh at each other.
The issue of education, homeschooling and socialization is full of complexities.
Home schooling can provide children with some definite benefits, such as one-on-one instruction that's not possible in most schools. But it is clear that the parent/ teacher has enormous additional responsibilities. If children are going to grow up in a balanced manner, they must be given plenty of social opportunities as well as academic instruction. As long as parents keep this in mind, their children will enjoy all the benefits of home schooling and avoid the possible pitfalls.
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