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Socialization Skills of Children Taught at Home

The biggest concern that people have about home schooling is the socialization aspect. Will the children get to interact with other kids? This topic has been blown way out of proportion. The most important issue is the quality of education. The rest will follow.

What is socialization? Kids interacting and learning to work with others on a daily basis is one part. Let’s be honest. In schools, there are bullies, unstable people, teachers with issues of their own, and a lot of other behavior problems. Socialization in the public school can become a nightmare.

We’ve all been there. Some kid who spreads rumors about us is giggling every time we pass by. Someone else may not like the clothes we wear or the sound of our voice. A teacher having a bad day may be less tolerant of student antics. Not knowing exactly what to expect each time you walk through the front doors of the school creates a stressful environment for school children.

Kids are social creatures. Unless we teach them to be otherwise, they will gravitate towards other kids they don’t know simply out of curiosity. School is not the only place to find new friends.

Home schooled children can participate in the same after school and weekend programs as public and private school children. Programs like 4-H, Boy and Girl Scouts, YMCA, and church groups offer chances to interact with other people. There is no shortage of opportunities to see other kids their age.

With a home school curriculum, parents have control over how much or how little to cover in a single day. They also have control over field trip schedules, project deadlines, and homework. A child may not have homework or may participate in a shorter school day when they have other commitments like scouting. Doing so allows the kids to enjoy their other experiences without homework hanging over their heads.

Another avenue for developing socialization skills is partnering with other home schooled children in the area. Parents can get together and plan field trips, meet and greet group activities, and community service projects. As the kids get to know each other, parents get a break as well.

Home schooled children who started out in public school don’t have to leave their friends behind. Having more control over the curriculum means that kids can plan visits to see their friends. If they live in the same neighborhood, getting together will be that much easier.

Home schooled kids don’t spend every day in the house. The world has just become their classroom. Finding friends is not a concern for them, just ask the kids themselves.

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What is a Christian Home Schooler?

There are a variety of home schooling programs available for use. These programs have materials they send to you and online resources. Christian home schoolers value their spiritual lives as a major component in the education of a child.

There are many reasons why parents choose to home school. One reason is religious freedom. We aren’t talking about religious persecution, but the right to integrate church and state. For these parents, the basis of their life is the spiritual. Without it, education will not be complete.

A Christian curriculum adds classes that deal with the Bible and study of it. Direction in curricula and the continuing decision to home school are made with forethought and prayer. Each day of school may begin with prayer. This is nothing new for homes with a strong religious base, but it becomes a part of the school day to show children that God wants to be a part of their education.

Parents make the decision to home school together. Everything from who will teach what subject to how to improve the academic performances of the children is discussed as a family unit. One parent is not left to conduct the entire affair while the other remains detached.

All home schooling classes still comply with the state and federal guidelines. Complete Christian home school programs have taken the guesswork about that out of the equation and left you with required courses of study plus biblical education classes for a well rounded student. Children are taught responsibility, love for life, respect for others, and social and community issues from a Biblical perspective.

Christian home schoolers have their own network of resources. You can reach other Christian parents and discuss the mutual challenges faced through home schooling. One thing that lessens the load is the fact that they control the influences of other religious on their children.

In public schools, there is no right or wrong religion, but all are explored. Many Christian parents are not comfortable with their children exploring other religions. In a home school environment, the kids get to delve into an in-depth study of their own religion. This is not to bash other religions, but to emphasize the importance of their personal beliefs to their children.

A Christian child is not drilled on the Bible all day in a Christian home school curriculum. Instead, their religious beliefs are given a place of importance that can’t be attained in public school. Parents are more comfortable with the teaching because their children are exposed to the spiritual side of life as a part of the educational process.

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Planning a Home School Curriculum

Besides lesson plans, the hardest part of establishing a home school environment in the home will be choosing the curriculum. When it comes to what and how you will teach there are a few options that can be explored. Planning well in advance means a well thought out curriculum once the first day of class arrives.

What is your philosophy of teaching? Many parents may think that they don’t have one but if you have a reason for taking your child out of public school, then you do. The philosophy is directly related to those reasons. You want to influence change that will give your child a better education. The public school is not doing a satisfactory job in your opinion or you would be considering the option of teaching your children at home.

There are several curriculum plans in existence today. Each is based on a different philosophy of teaching. Some curriculums are less stringent which allows for children to experience a variety of subjects and teaching structures. Children can experiment with their learning process to find what fits.

Other programs are quite rigid. Every aspect of each subject is planned down to the day as to what will be taught and in what order. For the new home schooling parent, this takes the guesswork and headache out of the structure of the learning process.

Home school curricula are not just based on academics, but religion. Spiritual components of education resulted in Christian home schooling. These programs comply with the state requirements but emphasize Biblical education.

Once parents become comfortable with home schooling, they can move from a rigid program to a less structured one or a curriculum guide. Curriculum guides are cheaper but only serve as rough guidelines. The parents still have to purchase worksheets, study guides, and other materials for teaching. This is not a concern with complete packages because they include everything for your dollar.

Some curricula have an online component as well. Part of the program involves book work and activities that kids can do online. It is easier to record keep online than with a paper and pencil. Some people like paper and pencil though because computers crash or get temperamental and lose your stuff. After all of that, it is time to do a lesson plan for each class for each student grade level.

Before the fun of teaching your children can begin, you need to have a plan. This is the tough part. It will involve a lot of head scratching and sweating, but once it’s done, the next time will be easier.

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