Every homeschooler gets questions about how their children are getting socialized. Most homeschoolers poo poo this question. Their kids are socializing in their family. They are meeting people from all walks of life. They are involved in clubs like the scouts, church groups, and sports. They are getting plenty of socialization and studies do show that homeschooled kids have better social skills then their schooled peers.
I think it's because they have better role models and better accountability. Their moms sure aren't acting like idiots on the playground or tolerating it if they do.
But when you are homeschooling an only child, I think it's a fair question. I've actually been thinking about her socialization since I knew Mi'ita was going to be an only child. There are so many negative stereotypes about only children being selfish and self centered. I'm sure you've heard them. And because of them, I've made sure that my daughter has always had lots of interaction with other kids in play groups, clubs, and play dates, even before school age.
I've read articles, too, saying that it's the children of large families that can't wait their turn or who are pushy--they're worried that if they wait they won't get any, because it's happened. Only children always have gotten their share so they don't have a problem waiting.
Mi'ita has ballet twice per week, we have a homeschool group that meets biweekly for half a day, she is signed up to go to homeschool activities like squid dissection on Friday, we go to the high school football games, she has play dates at least a couple times a week, she is planning a Halloween party and several more throughout the year.
Other then that, it's her and me at home. She likes it for the most part. She is used to being by herself. Play dates longer then 2 or 3 hours wear on her. She looks very much forward to visiting with her friends, but she doesn't wilt from being alone.
School started a few days ago and Mi'ita has been watching kids file past our house on the way to and from school. Her friends have been going back to school, too. I knew that once school had started, there would be pressure for her to join in. And since we live right down the street from her school, I looked into attending recess during their usual breaks. When I was at the school, asking that exact questions, the teacher Mi'ita wanted to have this year walked in. She invited Mi'ita to join her class for the last hour of each day.
Oh boy. I don't want to inch back to school. Mi'ita was very interested in this idea, though. So, today, we trotted up to the school for afternoon recess and the last hour and a half of the day.
Stepping out of the school system has opened my eyes. The teacher is great; I would have requested her if we had stayed. She has great behavioral management skills, engaging projects, and peaceful manner about her.
It took SOOOO LOOOOONG to get anything done. We were researching dinosaurs. In an hour and half, we reviewed a list of ten facts the children already knew about dinosaurs, did a brainstorm of different aspects of dinosaurs, and spent 10 minutes actually researching dinosaur facts. Most kids got maybe one note card done with one fact about dinosaurs.
Mrs. M. did not waste time. The logistics of dealing with all those kids at all those different levels took that time. If she had gone faster, she would have lost half the kids and that half would have distracted the other half so nobody would have gotten anything done.
I am convinced that homeschooling is a better education.
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