Jun 5, 2017

Let's Be Honest - Socialization in School

Hope At Our Hay Farmer's Place

There is a widely accepted assumption in society that the only place to be properly socialized is in school.

But when we discuss school with others, it was often regarded as something to survive socially, rather than thrive.

Hope And Jesse; One Of Our Awesome Un/Homeschool Club Friends!

So how can we provide the kind of social environment we want our kids to have and why are so many convinced that school is the only way?

At City Hall

When a new path is not easily seen or sure footed it can be really difficult to walk. If we grew up with school in our life, imagining socializing without it is going to feel out of this world. Unschooling is an amazing way to learn but how do we make it a social success as well?

Change perspective.

Getting Groceries. Going to the Bank. A visit to the Toy Store. These are all ways we are already social, but may not realize it. Hope likes to pay for things at the check-out, to interact with people who talk to her and we all learn from every encounter. So while you may think getting gas (Kids can squeegy the windows!) holds no teaching moments, it's very much the opposite. Every interaction we have with people in the world is socialization; we just need to take advantage of the opportunities and lead by example.

Make or join a local un/homeschooling community. In 2012 we had no community. We searched, but we could not find one that we could access. So we made one! Now our Un/Homeschool Club has nearly crested 700 members and many others groups have spawned as a result. There is so much going on in our area for the home education community that we never worry if there will be something to attend. Organic Apple Orchard trips, Farm excursions, Indoor Play-Places and Trampoline Classes; there's always something going on and lots of great people to connect with. Spend time. We (Parents/Caregivers) are the first and primary social experience that our kids have. If it's not successful, this can really make for problems when our kids try to be social outside of the home. We can forge healthy social relationships with our kids by meeting their needs (not necessarily their demands) and providing the example we wish for them to follow. How we interact with our kids will paint a picture for them on how to treat themselves and others, all of which factors in to being social in the future. Our kids are our future peers so there's good reason to enjoy time with them like we enjoy time spent with beloved friends.

Breakfast at The Farmer's Market

Hope is super social. She is cautious, but not afraid to speak to others, adult or child. I, on the other hand, was terrified socially in all ways and it plagued me WELL into adulthood. (Actually I'm still working out how to be social! Hope is a great teacher!) I went through the public school system, Hope did not.