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Balancing Home Schooling with a Socially Integrated
Child
As a parent of a home
schooled child, or as someone considering home schooling,
you may well face the mild concern or incredulity of
well meaning individuals who question your choice to
keep your child outside of the traditional school environment.
It is important to realize that there
are two common reasons for this response; fear that
you are depriving your child of natural and essential
social interactions or the simple distrust of anyone
who would decide that the standard set by society isn't
'good enough' for them.
The latter concern is not one a parent
should spend much time defending. You know your reasons
and trying to explain them to individuals who favor
conforming to what they perceive as 'normal' society
is often fruitless.
The prior statement, however, is one
that any parent considering home schooling should seriously
ponder. What, if any, advantages or disadvantages might
your child face from being home schooled rather than
surrounded by their peers in a classroom environment?
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
One home school advocate made the point
that a child is easily influenced by their social environment.
A social structure which places your child almost entirely
with others of the same age does not promote a balanced
view of community.
Whether you recall that children at
one time were taught together amongst both younger and
older children, or you consider that before daycare,
two working parents and TV, children spent more time
in the company of the adults in their lives, you no
doubt realize that a child benefits from a social circle
that extends beyond their peers. Providing them the
time to develop their viewpoints and opinions outside
of intense peer pressure can give them the inner strength
to stand up for their beliefs or maintain individuality
even in a peer biased environment.
Home schooled children can just as easily
fall into a routine of limited interaction which is
equally harmful. However, conscientious parents can
ensure that their home schooled child participates in
activities and accompanies them on errands and visits
that widen their social circle which can include both
children, adults and the elderly as well as various
social and economic groups.
TIME TO EXPLORE INTERESTS
The traditional school program requires
that children allot short periods of time exploring
a subject and then move on to a new topic every 45 minutes
or so. If your child is engaged in a subject they are
more likely to retain the information as well as enjoy
the learning process.
Home schooled children are not restricted
to typical daily routines and a lesson can be extended
or developed according to the inclination of the parent
and child. Since many home schooled children only sit
for lessons for four hours or less per day there is
more time to pursue other interests such as learning
a musical instrument, practicing for a sport, learning
a new language or engaging in religious or social activities
that develop their sense of self. Time that otherwise
may have been wasted waiting for the class to be ready
or the teacher to have the time to assist them.
MERGING BACK INTO A SCHOOL STRUCTURE
If parents have taken the time to balance
their child's routine to include a selection of activities
such as dance or art classes, working with tutors or
other instructors in a classroom style teaching situation,
they can feel certain that their child can merge back
into a traditional school setting should their lifestyle
or the child's direction change.
Whether a parent home schools their
child or not, it is important for parents to acknowledge
the need for their children to become involved citizens
with a world outside of their immediate peer group.
Socializing, developing talents, involvement in community
and even religion can and should be large factors in
children's development.
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