Socialization and Schooling

I'm not just making this stuff up:

Socialisation is actually the process of developing the skills required to function effectively in adult society. It does not happen by osmosis from other children. It happens as they imitate the mature people around them. We simply can't stop our children from imitating us - it is natural.

While being with other children is a chance to practise their social skills, all too often their behaviour degenerates to the level of the child with the lowest skills. Sadly this even happens in more formal situations, such as organised sport or music, community groups, etc.

So what effect does sheltering children "from the real world" have? (There are quote marks around "real world" to highlight the fact that school is not the real world - it is school children who are locked away from the real world five days a week.) Most of the research is American - but it ties in with what we observe in the home educating community in New Zealand.

The findings of most research are that home educated children tend to have a higher than average level of social development. This manifests itself in areas like increased independence (less susceptibility to peer pressure), self-control and initiative, as well as more effective communication skills.

Of course most home educated children benefit from not being forced into artificial social environments. They can develop socially, as well as academically, at their own pace.

from home.school.nz

I take Prahlad to circus classes on Saturday mornings, and I do notice the difference between him and the other kids there. Children learn to be responsible well-integrated adults by being with responsible well-integrated adults.

According to the Wikipedia entry on Home Schooling:

Home education, also called homeschooling or home school, is the process by which children are educated at home rather than in an institution such as a public or private school. Prior to the introduction of compulsory school attendance laws in the 19th century, most education worldwide occurred within the family or community, with only a small proportion of the population attending schools or employing tutors.