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  Resources: Educating Wildlings Podcast and Blog  Why You Truly Never Leave High School, New York Mag