This
is probably the most common question we, as home educators, are asked.
This is because it is one of the most misunderstood aspects of child
development. It is assumed that in order for young people to develop
socially, that is to learn to get along with others, they should be
confined with 25-30 other children the same age, five days a week.
Many would probably be surprised to learn
that homeschooled students are usually more mature than their peers. A
study conducted at Andrews University in Michigan found that the average
homeschooled student tested in the top third of the PIERS-HARRIS SELF
CONCEPT SCALE, a standard test of social adjustment, and over half tested
in the top 10 percent. Also, John W. Taylor’s NATIONAL-SAMPLE-BASED
STUDY OF SELF CONCEPT found that 77.7% of all homeschoolers tested scored
in the top quarter. Now we have the ‘test results’ to satisfy the
greatest skeptics!
A well known family psychologist, Urie
Bronfenbrennen, states that young people are
better socialized by parents than by peers. Many in his field agree and
add that social growth is best developed by regular contact with people of
various ages.
With all this concern for socialization and
the homeschooled student, psychologists, parents, and educators alike are
recognizing that not all socialization is positive. They are now
discussing the effects of ‘negative socialization’ and ‘peer
dependence’. These include a ‘me first attitude’, indifference to
family values, loss of trust in parents, and questionable role models.
New homeschoolers may find that in addition
to nurturing our youngsters’ academic growth is the need to help them
rebuild their damaged self-image. Additionally you may find other problems
requiring much time and patience on your part. Homeschooling provides
parents just the opportunity to meet those
needs.
Some problems disappear simply by removing
a youngster from the classroom environment. Other problems usually lessen
as time goes on. However, problems buried deep down will surface only when
the child feels secure enough to open up to you. This child must feel free
to open up without fear of retaliation.
We begin focusing on the home front
by creating a positive social environment within the family unit. Social
experiences outside the home, while valuable, are often overemphasized as
they often cause the very problems we are trying to solve.
As parents and educators we need to remind
ourselves that learning is a rewarding experience by nature and that
resistance is a response to feeling forced and frustrated. To deal with
this resistance, or indifference, many educators employ prodding and
punishment in their efforts to teach class. Thus we can see that a primary
reason for the academic failure we see in the classroom is the inclination
to force education.
Recognizing this widespread problem some
apply positive methods to reap academic success. One way this is done is
to correct errors as they happen finishing each day with all work
corrected and understood. This method builds a pattern of success. By
grading only tests, which follows after the student has studied,
practiced, and demonstrated complete understanding, the student will
naturally score very high. This says to the student, “well done!”
The great “socializing” myth is no
longer being perpetuated by those keeping current in the field of
education. We now know that to provide balanced social experiences we do
not need to be running to a myriad of after-school programs.
However, many programs can be valuable assets. Today’s programs range
from activity-free round-ups of latch-key kids, to classes covering an
unending array of topics. Consideration must include its academic value,
its social value, financial commitment, time involved, transportation, and
the needs of the whole family.
