Feature Article September 12, 2001
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The student who never went to school Homeschooling: A closer lookPart II in a three-part series by Meghan BaloghThe question of socialization One of the biggest misgivings about home schooling today concerns socialization. It is mistakenly believed that children who are taught at home do not spend enough time with people. They lack the everyday interaction that a normal school day would provide for young people. Although this is what people think, what do homeschoolers have to say about it? I, for one, find this humorous. Are your family members considered people? There is a lot that you can learn by being with your family that prepares you for everyday life, and that helps you develop your ability to work with people. I asked Alexandra, a 13-year old homeschooler who went to school until Grade 5, if she ever felt like going back to school. "It would be very hard to go back," she says, "and to be away from my family for that long every day." Home schooling is not a new concept. Teaching at home began long before schools were established, with the older children teaching the younger. This still happens today in several families that I know, and to me it seems like the greatest way for children to learn, and for young adults to communicate their knowledge in a coherent way. My family and I live on a farm in the woods, and I'm home schooled. Nevertheless, I find myself much busier than some of my friends who attend school. My sister Kaitlin and I are second violins in the Kingston Youth Orchestra, and regularly attend rehearsals and concerts. We also play at weddings and different events. We take piano and violin lessons and play in a hand bell choir. We volunteer at the local camp, Circle Square Ranch. All of these are some of the things that I do to "socialize" and make myself useful in the community, and home schooling gives me more time and a better opportunity to do these. Moreover, home schooling has been a major blessing in my life, not only because of extra time, but because of the opportunity to spend time with my family. The result has been a deeper closeness among us all. Parents think that home schooling is a great idea for their kids. They get to spend quality time together, get to know their kids better, provide a better learning atmosphere. However, what do the kids have to say about it? When Emily, a 14-year old homeschooler, first started home schooling after attending a public school until Grade 5, she was unsure about it. "My parents had met home schooling families whose parenting goals were similar to theirs," she explains. "I reluctantly agreed to try home schooling for a year, but after a few months, I loved it and have never looked back." However, home schooling also has its challenges. Emily shared with me some of the difficulties that she faces in home schooling. "Some of the challenges that I find with home schooling are: learning to set high standards for myself and learning to use my time wisely to achieve those goals." This is an area of difficulty with a lot of homeschoolers. As you get older, the school work you do relies less and less on your parents' supervision. This means that more self-discipline is needed to reach your goals effectively. Home schooling has different challenges that must be overcome so that we can effectively learn. I have realized that it is worth the struggle to keep going, because I have discovered one of home schooling's greatest goals: to set standards, instead of following them.