Jennifer’s celebration of positive socialization through her home schooling program is inspirational. Several of her comments remind me of my observations as an elementary classroom teacher. She demonstrates the process of purposefully offering socialization opportunities which foster positive, supportive and tolerant behavior in children. Enjoy reading her personal experience and respond with your comments… I’d enjoy hearing from you.
Jennifer’s Story
Since I began the adventure of homeschooling this year, I would like to help eliminate the stereotype regarding a lack of socialization with home-schooling.
My decision to homeschool was supported by all my friends and family, but I would like to explain to the nonhomeschool community what I have learned thus far. Because I have enjoyed homeschooling this year, I also want to be an advocate for the amazing parents who homeschool and have befriended me.
“Socialization” and “homeschool” are two words people don’t seem to want to put together in the world. First of all, socialization means “to make social, especially: to fit or train for a social environment,” according to Merriam-Webster.
Have you been in a public school classroom lately? I was a room mom for three years and never want my kids to model what they saw many of their peers doing in school.
Teachers try to teach respect and manners, but the behavior problems in some classrooms are noticeable and repetitive. I don’t feel this is the primary responsibility of teachers anyway, and many parents need to do a better job of teaching manners.
Secondly, many homeschoolers take advantage of opportunities and learning experiences outside their home for schooling. My children have experienced a variety of social experiences this year beyond the classroom.
I actually think some homeschool families are having more social experiences than those in public school. For example, many of these families take advantage of co-ops, classes provided by community resources and extracurricular activities with a varied group of children of different ages.
We have enjoyed many new social experiences and associated with children from all over the county.
My thoughts are not meant to be negative toward public school. I may return to it someday.
However, I simply want to give credit to a large group of parents who sacrifice their time and money to do what they feel is best for their children.
They are not creating a socialization problem for their children, but many are providing a variety of educational experiences.
I would also like to thank my community that has provided my children with a variety of learning experiences: Knoxville Zoo for their Homeschool Tuesdays program and their instructor Chad Fifer; East Tennessee Discovery Center and their instructor Christy Lewis; WonderWorks in Pigeon Forge for their free homeschool days; and Deane Hill Recreation Center for use of their facility for physical education classes.
Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey’s vow, reported in the Feb. 14 newspaper to appoint a homeschool adovcate to the state Board of Education should be noted by those who homeschool and those who do not.
The homeschool community has a lot to offer everyone. Public school and homeschool could work together to improve our state’s education crisis.
Jennifer Hughes is married to Richard Hughes and is mother to Harrison, 9, Anna, 7, and Weston, 3. She is a member of the Knox County Library Advisory Board and enjoys cooking, hiking and watching sporting events in her spare time.