While this short piece exposes a popular homeschooling myth about socialising, it perpetuates another about school. Of course it is better to learn in an environment in which there is a low student-teacher ratio, in which there are a smaller circle of peers who are all known to each student. Let's be realistic; schools are not great halls full of strangers whom students will never recognise or relate to!

The benefits of schools should be presented equally. In a school environment a child is allowed to develop smaller circles of friends in smaller classes, interact on broader levels in the larger school community, and apply these socilising skills at home. They can prepare presentations and performances with their smaller class groups and present them in front of the larger school body that is not unfamiliar to them. This way they develop self confidence, good self esteem, interpersonal skills and socilaising strategies while learning how to support each other in differing environments.

Though there are myths about homeschooling that can certainly be addressed, they should not be done by perpetuating equally spreading myths about school education.

This article gave me so much I don't know where to start. It definitely gave me what I need to tell those who tell me that my son is missing out by being home schooled. This was the best I have read on the subject yet. Thank you.

.

.

.

“Children often do not respond well to large groups… et al.”

- Often? That is a very broad and inaccurate statement. As a child development expert it varies from child to child. Learning can become difficult during home education as well, the house can be noisy, distractions, and of course behavioral problems can also occur at home. Dr. Moore is wrong, no ifs and or buts. Anyone can analyze data and make it say whatever they want. How can a parent teach a child how to interact with other children? They can’t. They can teach them how to interact with adults, and their siblings. But what about when they get into the “real world” and their parents aren’t there to guide them? How will they be able to relate to their peer group. The group they will now have to work, study, and get along with, who haven’t been raised by their parents. They will feel lost, because they never got a chance to explore peer interactions.

Great post as-usual. i like the resource thank you for providing it.

I love your recommendations to join in with community groups like 4-H and recreational sports leagues, as well as looking for other home schooled children with whom to socialize. Not only is this a great idea for home schooled children, expanding their horizons beyond the home school universe, it is great for the community as well!

When your (home schooled) child enjoys and participates with the larger community of children in the library, on the sports field, or at 4-H and volunteer opportunities, that may be the first experience the other children have with a home schooled child. It expands everyone's social experiences and allows all to develop acceptance for the different ways of "doing" life that exist in our community, the public/private schooled child as well as the home schooled child.

B Wright's post that peer interaction has to be experienced to be learned is accurate, and that is why in my opinion these outside social opportunities do need to be explored by home schooling families. Children can learn these lessons only from interacting with peers, but most children are pretty quick at picking up how to get along. Are six plus hours a day, 180 days a year, for twelve years necessary to acquire proficiency in peer interaction? No. My children were home schooled through high school. My daughter is a senior at UNCC, on full scholarship with AFROTC. My son in is Dominican Republic this summer volunteering with CIEE. They each have all the friends they want (one is introverted, the other an extrovert) and a good reputation with teachers/instructors.

I made the effort to involve them in community life and it was a wise choice. Now the home school families who limit their child's world to family and only other "like-minded" people, that is a different story.

I believe that b wright has completely missed the whole point yet at the same time strongly makes the case for homeschooling! A child development EXPERT(?) wrote this..."But what about when they get into the “real world”...The group they will now have to work, study, and get along with, who haven’t been raised by their parents." Are you kidding me?? It's the children who aren't being raised by their parents that we should all be very worried about. As his parent, I am choosing to educate MY son at home. However, whether a parent chooses homeschooling, public or private education, ALL parents should be responsible for raising their children! If b wright's comment is accurate and none of my son's non-homeschooled peers have been raised by their parents, then those children have far greater problems than their socialization!! My son is socialized, educated, and knows that he is being loved and raised by his parents! He'll do just fine in the real world.