Is it the spring semester already?? Where is the school year going!!? Today was the first day of our spring semester co-op classes. We were up and out the door by 8:30 this morning. Shew what a busy morning. While that might not seem like a big deal to families who are out the door early every morning heading to school and work, for those of us who don't do it on a daily basis it takes a little to get back into the routine. We've had years when we opted out of participating in co-op classes, especially when we had two babies, one of which was having bi-weekly visits to the eye doctor and bi-yearly eye surgery. That was a busy enough year without adding extras. These days our schedule is less hectic and we enjoy the weekly classes provided in our homeschool co-op. From 3D art to Science Fair, creative writing to pirate math, the kids were excited to get back to their classes. It's been a long winter of being snowed in quite often so we are happy for warmer weather, field trips and class time with friends. We are often find ourselves addressing the #1 question people ask when they find out we homeschool. "Aren't you worried your children are not being socialized". By definition socialization is: the continuing process by where an individual learns the norms, values, behaviors and social skills appropriate to his social position. Interestingly enough nowhere in that definition does it say anything about this only being achieved by sitting in a classroom full of peers of the exact same age five days a week. Our children learn to interact with children of all different ages. They learn to speak to and be patient with children younger than themselves. They learn to cooperate with children their age and older. They learn to have intelligent, non-self-centered conversations with adults. They learn social skills by paying for their own purchases at the store or asking the librarian questions themselves, even at 5 years old. They watch as I swipe my credit card at the gas pump or fill out a deposit slip at the bank. They are learning social skills by being actively involved in society. Do they have to be homeschooled to learn these skills. No they certainly do not, but being homeschooled gives them more time on a daily basis to be involved in social environments. We don't stay locked up in our house learning from a textbook 24 hours a day. They are not introverted. They are involved in a multitude of social situations with a variety of people. From the grocery to the bank, library, post office and gym, not to mention youth group, concerts and field trips, they are an active part of the world around them and are not being confined to only what our family unit can offer. Just because we homeschool doesn't mean we don't enjoy classroom learning with other students of various ages. I had the thrill of watching my kids be a part of co-op today and see first hand how they handle being in a classroom environment and even change classes. I was especially proud of my 1st and 2nd graders who changed classes by themselves with ease and unafraid. They didn't come to me to figure out where they were supposed to be. They looked at their class schedule, found what room their next class was in, walked down the hall weaving in and out of other students their age and older (including teenagers) and found the room number. All this on the first day of spring semester, with new classes and new teachers. They were confident and capable of handling a social environment without relying on me to direct them. Being part of a co-op we feel like we enjoy the best of both worlds, the freedom of homeschooling and the structure of weekly classes with friends. Socialization in it's truest and best form.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
About MeI'm Becca, a former chocolate junkie, herbal enthusiast, curriculum writer, homeschool mom to four active kids, wife to my jack of all trades hubby, blessed child of God. Archives
November 2018
|
The Essential Blog
Essential homeschooling is not about trying to mimic a classroom setting at home, expensive curriculum and stressful learning. It's setting our eyes on Christ and offering up our lives for His service. It's finding simplicity in daily living and loving each other, embracing the challenges and cherishing the moment because we know these years won't last and what we instill in our children today will determine who they will be tomorrow.