Valorie Delp recently wrote the following in the homeschool blog entitled The Questions Continue Part 3: The Big Socialization Question:
Socialization is the first thing that many homeschoolers get asked about. However, I actually do not believe that public schools are in a better position to promote socialization than home schooling is.
Being such a popular question, I decided that this was a good subject for me to start with.
When recently asked for what seemed like the thousandth time, if my homeschooled children were socialized, I fear I insulted the woman by exclaiming how much I hate that question. I did however; follow up with what I believe is my best answer to date.
Normally when asked this question, I start spouting off all the ways in which I feel my child is being socialized as if the Gestapo is interrogating me. “My children are in Sunday school groups, take Fencing lessons, Swim Lessons, Meet with other homeschoolers for field trips, in fact, they socialize so much, I have to set a limit so they can have time for learning”, is my usual answer. But guess what moms and dads, you do not have to answer to strangers (or anyone for that matter) about your methods of homeschooling as long as you are not endangering your child. We as homeschoolers need to get over our need to prove to other people that we are doing the right thing for our kids. Instead we should be comfortable and satisfied within ourselves that we are not “crazy”, “silly” or worse, by homeschooling our children.
This time, when faced with the annoying, yet dreaded socialization question, I said the following: “My children have focused learning time without the distractions of ‘socialization’, and focused socialization time without the stigma of getting in trouble for talking during class. By separating education from socialization, we have allowed them more freedom to learn and to socialize without interruption.” …Period. …End of Conversation. Of course, you and I know that they often learn together during playtime where they can make thousands of spontaneous discoveries. They also get together for classes with other homeschoolers during the week, but this learning time is a bit less formal than the normal “ sit next to your friend, but do not dare utter a word or it will go on your permanent record” variety.
By separating education and socialization, we allow the children to learn material without distractions or wasted time, allowing more time for uninhibited socialization later.