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Nothing is more emotional to parents than the subject of their children. It's hard to be moderate in discussions when it comes to children and what's the right decision. Obviously, most decisions are extremely personal. Major decisions and issues are filled with complexity and it's difficult, if not impossible, to speak from a calm center. This said, we can agree there are very good schools available to most all US citizens, places wherein children can get a quality education. And it goes without saying there is the opposite and this may be why so many parents have chosen to home school.
While many have chosen to educate their kids, an honest discussion needs to take place within each parent's self. This is a fresh approach, a sincere approach to improving the home school child's life. The message is straight forward, it's purposely honest and lacking in soft, passive tones. Parents who have chosen to educate their own, deserve the respect this tone imparts: matter of fact, simple, non-labeling or blaming, a voice of aid.
Since no one can be all things necessary to a child, employment of resources available is necessary in home schooling. Even the most versatile and dynamic person can learn from and provide excellent opportunities for a home school child if they're willing to acknowledge there can be better teachers for some applications.
A significant drawback to pulling a child out of school is the socialization aspect. Speaking here of socialization in general. Children learn, experientially, that is to say, through experience, by simply being in a structured environment. Our world is filled with rules, structure, it's how we are able to function without stepping on one another, both figuratively and literally.
There are rules of the road, unspoken rules of behavior in a grocery store, rules at the theater, at the movie complex, etc. So, being out and about, in the world is a good thing for kids as they're developing. As a home school parent/educator, one must be hyper-cognizant of getting the home school child into the world, out of the house. Americans have extremely busy lives, this busyness is amplified when the task of educator is added to ones role. School then, is a place kids go and learn life is a series of rules, especially so at school. Home school children can get this experience, school's don't hold exclusivity rights but parent/educators must make concerted efforts make it so.
In addition to this "worldly" type of socialization is the more specific peer-socialization. More and more home school families are getting together with other home-schoolers and allowing the kids to mix. This is better than no peer-socialization; however, it's tough to compete with a school in this regard, simply because school is generally 6 to 7 hours of non-stop peer-socialization. Of course there are drawbacks and "drama" with school relationships that adults can find tiring but it's exactly these interactions that help shape the child's ability to cope with real life situations when they're grown. Above all, this element, socialization, should remain in the forefront of the parent/educator mind. Of the home schooled children we have contact, this is the single weakest element in their development.
Conversely, it appears whatever may lack in the time spent socializing is more than made up for in the core subjects. Spend a few minutes with a home schooled child and one will be surprised with the depth of understanding in core subjects. Spend time with a few different home schooled children and the surprise quickly fades, it becomes expected. This result is why so many parents turn to home schooling.
What's to be taken from this article? There are clear advantages to home schooling: time, flexibility in subject matter, flexibility in the daily schedule. Since the toughest decision has already been made, the one that lead to home school, what can parent/educators do to avoid some of the pitfalls of home schooling? First, be willing to admit one is not the end all to the educational process. Second, get out in the world with your student and allow them to learn the global-socialization lessons: zoos, grocery stores, live theater, movie theaters, construction zones, bakeries. Take advantage of these places and the lessons they have to teach.
In conclusion of part one, there is a place for home school kids to go, wherein they get global-socialization, peer-socialization and new subject matter to learn from. This is at the doorsteps of outdoor education and or adventure camps. These programs focus on all the areas mentioned above as well as a whole host of others. There are two major benefits to residential style camps of this nature: one, the kids are receiving concentrated levels of socialization, community development and two, they're away from home, learning from and hearing the teaching from a different voice. Camps are wonderful for the development of children.
Of course, do your due diligence and pick a camp you feel comfortable. Email or call the camp, gauge their response and decide if this appears to be a place you'd like your child to be. Outdoor education / adventure camps are excellent choices as you know they're going to challenge your student/child in a holistic manner, engaging all types of learning in a supportive, success oriented environment.
While many have chosen to educate their kids, an honest discussion needs to take place within each parent's self. This is a fresh approach, a sincere approach to improving the home school child's life. The message is straight forward, it's purposely honest and lacking in soft, passive tones. Parents who have chosen to educate their own, deserve the respect this tone imparts: matter of fact, simple, non-labeling or blaming, a voice of aid.
Since no one can be all things necessary to a child, employment of resources available is necessary in home schooling. Even the most versatile and dynamic person can learn from and provide excellent opportunities for a home school child if they're willing to acknowledge there can be better teachers for some applications.
A significant drawback to pulling a child out of school is the socialization aspect. Speaking here of socialization in general. Children learn, experientially, that is to say, through experience, by simply being in a structured environment. Our world is filled with rules, structure, it's how we are able to function without stepping on one another, both figuratively and literally.
There are rules of the road, unspoken rules of behavior in a grocery store, rules at the theater, at the movie complex, etc. So, being out and about, in the world is a good thing for kids as they're developing. As a home school parent/educator, one must be hyper-cognizant of getting the home school child into the world, out of the house. Americans have extremely busy lives, this busyness is amplified when the task of educator is added to ones role. School then, is a place kids go and learn life is a series of rules, especially so at school. Home school children can get this experience, school's don't hold exclusivity rights but parent/educators must make concerted efforts make it so.
In addition to this "worldly" type of socialization is the more specific peer-socialization. More and more home school families are getting together with other home-schoolers and allowing the kids to mix. This is better than no peer-socialization; however, it's tough to compete with a school in this regard, simply because school is generally 6 to 7 hours of non-stop peer-socialization. Of course there are drawbacks and "drama" with school relationships that adults can find tiring but it's exactly these interactions that help shape the child's ability to cope with real life situations when they're grown. Above all, this element, socialization, should remain in the forefront of the parent/educator mind. Of the home schooled children we have contact, this is the single weakest element in their development.
Conversely, it appears whatever may lack in the time spent socializing is more than made up for in the core subjects. Spend a few minutes with a home schooled child and one will be surprised with the depth of understanding in core subjects. Spend time with a few different home schooled children and the surprise quickly fades, it becomes expected. This result is why so many parents turn to home schooling.
What's to be taken from this article? There are clear advantages to home schooling: time, flexibility in subject matter, flexibility in the daily schedule. Since the toughest decision has already been made, the one that lead to home school, what can parent/educators do to avoid some of the pitfalls of home schooling? First, be willing to admit one is not the end all to the educational process. Second, get out in the world with your student and allow them to learn the global-socialization lessons: zoos, grocery stores, live theater, movie theaters, construction zones, bakeries. Take advantage of these places and the lessons they have to teach.
In conclusion of part one, there is a place for home school kids to go, wherein they get global-socialization, peer-socialization and new subject matter to learn from. This is at the doorsteps of outdoor education and or adventure camps. These programs focus on all the areas mentioned above as well as a whole host of others. There are two major benefits to residential style camps of this nature: one, the kids are receiving concentrated levels of socialization, community development and two, they're away from home, learning from and hearing the teaching from a different voice. Camps are wonderful for the development of children.
Of course, do your due diligence and pick a camp you feel comfortable. Email or call the camp, gauge their response and decide if this appears to be a place you'd like your child to be. Outdoor education / adventure camps are excellent choices as you know they're going to challenge your student/child in a holistic manner, engaging all types of learning in a supportive, success oriented environment.
About the Author:
Christopher Pyle has a degree in Humanities emphasizing children' literature and the coming of age saga. He is owner / director of Action Whitewater and a youth summer adventure camp. He's passionate about the rights of children and building better people through better experience.
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