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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