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Episode 13: Socialization and Homeschooling, Exploring it from Different Angles- Part Two
Our conversation continued … (listen to Part One here)
Socialization and homeschooling is unarguably a common topic. It might be considered the proverbial thorn in a homeschool parent’s side. But what do we mean by socialization anyway? Maybe there are a few ways to examine it. We were so grateful to have Kiki from @kikiandthewildlings and www.educatingwildlings.co.uk join us and offer her perspective and experience. Please join us as we talk about this common, yet multi-faceted, topic. We had a few technical difficulties this time, but if you bear with us, we think the content is worth it. 🙂
We Discuss:
The ability for kids to be comfortably playful until an older age when in mixed age groups
Expansive time for unstructured play
Intergenerational socializing
Deeper, evolving levels of flow with long periods of free play (often with a bit of support partway through)
Kids having opportunity to come in and out of play, jump in quickly or ease in slowly
The frustration for kids of having their flow or gameplay interrupted in a school structure
How young children might have a sense of civility and social skill that’s actually lacking in the school system (eg. a young boy questioning why the teachers don’t simply ask the children to come in from recess rather than summon with a loud bell)
The teen years/adolescence as somewhat of a social construct
The importance for teens of feeling they are contributing and doing meaningful things
The increasing “red tape” and bureaucracy involved in many opportunities for mentorships or apprenticeships
Valuing a teen’s own pace of choosing not to rush into independence
Defining maturity – depends what we mean by that word
The different directions home educating teens are moving in from a time perspective that can make it difficult to find ways to connect with one another
The idea of home educating with an eye to putting kids in school at some point – can you fully deschool and embrace this life?
Whether nostalgia plays a role in parents feeling more comfortable with their children in traditional social settings – prom, teams, formal graduation
Integrating into school after homeschooling
How we don’t always know what an individual teenager’s social needs are – they don’t always fit the stereotypes
The milestones and assumptions that people project onto teens that are actually more reflective of unresolved things from their own adolescence than of what’s necessary for a particular teen