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Homeschooling Socialization for the Shy Ones |
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Sometimes, socializing is hard work, especially for those of us who have a shy kid—and if statistics are accurate, nearly half of Americans call themselves “shy.” For those of us homeschooling shy kids, there is a temptation to just let it go. It would be so much easier to just stay at home, curled up on the couch, than to watch our shy kid suffer or to feel compelled to make apologies for our shy kid. For those of us homeschooling shy kids, there is a temptation to just let it go. It would be so much easier to just stay at home, curled up on the couch, than to watch our shy kid suffer or to feel compelled to make apologies for our shy kid. |
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Home-Schooling: Socialization not a problem |
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Washington Times |
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One of the most persistent criticisms of home-schooling is the accusation that home-schoolers will not be able to fully participate in society because they lack “socialization.” It’s a challenge that reaches right to the heart of home-schooling, because if a child isn’t properly socialized, how will that child be able to contribute to society? Home-school families across the nation knew criticisms about adequate socialization were ill-founded — they had the evidence right in their own homes. In part to address this question from a research perspective, the Home School Legal Defense Association commissioned a study in 2003 titled “Homeschooling Grows Up,” conducted by Mr. Ray, to discover how home-schoolers were faring as adults. The news was good for home-schooling. In all areas of life, from gaining employment, to being satisfied with their home-schooling, to participating in community activities, to voting, home-schoolers were more active and involved than their public school counterparts.
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How to Develop Social Skills Without Socialization |
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Megan Zechman |
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The homeschooling community is wide and diverse, yet there is one question that almost every parent has been asked during the years they school their children at home. “What about socialization?”
We are led to believe that if we don’t put our children in public school, they will be missing out. They will become social misfits. Homeschooling means they will be stuck inside all day, having no opportunity for socialization. But true socialization comes from interacting with the world around them and having the freedom to explore and make true friendships. |
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It's a Myth That School is Good for Socialization |
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Penelope Trunk |
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Parents who have their kids in school often say they have them there because of socialization. It's absurd that homeschoolers talk to people of all ages, all day long, and kids in school have to listen to a teacher all day long. It's just not even a contest: homeschooling is better for socialization because parents value it so much and schools don't. |
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Oh NO! I forgot about Socialization! |
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When many people ask about homeschooling, usually one of the FIRST comments and/or questions they ask involves the big “s” word – Socialization.
How do they get socialized if they don’t go to school? Don’t you worry that he won’t be socialized? The list goes on… Socialization is truly a myth that plagues the homeschool community. |
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Social Development and the Homeschooled Child |
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Dr. Scott Turansky |
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Many people cannot understand how a homeschooled child can have adequate social interaction with others. They imagine that these children must have little contact with others, day after day. But this is really a lack of understanding about what socialization really is and how it works in a homeschool environment. In this article, Dr. Scott Turansky challenges the assumptions about socialization and explains what really takes place in the typical homeschool. |
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Socialization During the High School Years |
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Jimmie Lanley |
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Socialization issues change during the teen years. But homeschooling still gives families the freedom to do their own thing. Take a look at how this homeschooling family handles questions about the prom, boyfriends, and sleeping in. |
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Socialization Myth and Homeschooling |
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Tamra Orr |
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Ask any homeschooler you meet—whether a novice or a veteran—what is the number one objection people have to homeschooling? It’s always socialization. Let’s dispense with this issue once and for all with these points that homeschoolers make about socialization.
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Socialization: Tackling Homeschooling’s “S” Word |
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Bridget Bentz Sizer |
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The mainstream perception of homeschool students is that they are an antisocial bunch, toiling away lonely hours at a kitchen table with only their parents for friends. But homeschoolers themselves will tell you that socialization—the “S-word,” as some call it—is really a nonissue.
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Socializing the Homeschooled Child |
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This youtube video from iHomeschool Hangout discusses the issue of socialization and homeschooling. Guests are Sade Tagbo, Sam Kelley, Jimmie Lanley, and Colleen Kessler. The hostess is Dianna Kennedy. |
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Statistics on Public School vs. Homeschool |
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Karen Frazier |
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Deciding how your child will receive his education is a choice that can impact the rest of his life. While your decision may depend on personal factors such as your time and availability and your child's personality, evaluating studies and statistics can also provide information you can include in your decision making process. |
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The 3 Biggest Social Benefits of Homeschooling |
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Alexandra Martinez |
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Without fail, telling someone you are homeschooling your children will promptly be followed by the question, "Aren't you worried about socialization?" Here are three social benefits to homeschooling. |
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The Myth of Socialization |
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Diane S. Spears, Ed.D. |
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If socializing is a problem for homeschool families, it is rare. The homeschool socialization myth is a misconception perpetrated by people who know little or nothing of the benefits or facts. Some parents believed they would be breaking the law by not sending their children to public school. Unfortunately, there are movements in some states to pass such laws. But as of yet, it is still lawful to homeschool. Most states require documentation, which is reasonable. Other states are lax. Homeschooling as a movement is growing, and that is a very good thing. According to NHERI, the higher quality of homeschooling is not affected at all by whether or not the parent is a certified teacher, or by any state regulations. |
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The Truth About Homeschooling and Socialization |
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Usually what is meant by socialization or the lack thereof is that if we isolate our kids from the public or private school culture, our kids won’t know how to survive in the ‘real’ world.
But the homeschool world has a lot more similarities to the ‘real world’ than any institutional setting. |
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Thoughts on Socialization from a Homeschool Graduate |
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Heather Greutman |
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You would think that in a world full of homeschool graduates, many of whom get into top colleges, win national spelling bees, and score way higher on all national and state tests that people would realize that the socialization question really is obsolete now days. But because we spend all day with mom (or dad) and siblings, instead of in a school room with 1 teacher to 25+ children we suddenly aren’t socialized! This homeschool graduate shares her experiences with her "lack" of socialization.
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What About Socialization? |
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Friends or relatives who’ve heard of your homeschooling plans may have already asked, “But what about socialization?” If you’re thinking about homeschooling, you might have even wondered this yourself. This continues to be one of the most commonly asked questions of homeschooling parents, despite decades of academic research and anecdotal evidence showing that homeschooled children are generally significantly better “socialized” than their institutionally-schooled counterparts. Each family will answer the question differently, but here’s some food for thought as you form your own views on socialization. |
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What Is Socialization Anyway? |
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Marci Goodwin |
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Many people seem to think that homeschool kids are all socially backward and sheltered. They feel that they need to be properly socialized or they won’t be able to function in the real world. And by properly socialized, they mean exposed to large groups of children their own age for 8+ hours per day so they can learn to act like the average child their age. Their question makes be wonder “What is socialization anyway?” |
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