What About Socialization?

12 Apr 2000 - What About Socialization??? Your Kids Are Going To Be Freaks!!! They Won't Know How To Deal With People!!! (Give Me A Break. LOL)
As a homeschooler the first question you always hear is “What about socialization?” Or “How will they learn to relate to people?” As their mother and being with them all the time I see how friendly and social they are. But I feel put on the defensive when I have to try and explain our situation. So today when I read the results of a study I was happy to know that it has been documented.

This study intended to show that children in daycare are more outgoing and sociable than are children that are kept at home. The study consisted of putting children that were all within one month of their 5th birthday in a room with another child that they did not know. They were observed for 20 minutes. The first 10 minutes were given a rating on initial socializing, then the second 10-minute period to see if they could or would sustain the socializing.

The results were definite. Almost to a child, the children that had not been in day care were more open to being with the other child in the initial contact. And then were better sustainers of the “mini relationship”. The researchers were not expecting this result.

Building up a child’s self esteem is such an issue in day cares and in public schools. But it seems to me that if the children were allowed to be with loving parents longer and allowed to feel the security that only comes from being with someone that puts them first, self-esteem would be a natural by product. And with that self-esteem would come a self-confidence that they have something to offer to the people they meet. Therefore, they are not afraid to open themselves up to strangers.

I know I was always outgoing and friendly with strangers. And I think a big part of that was that Mom and Dad always treated me with respect, and always had time for me. So in my eyes if they liked me and respected me then I expected others to like and respect me. Then conversely, if the stranger didn’t seem to like me, it made little difference because my “fan club” was there at home waiting for me. And speaking of my "fan club", the founder and chief was at home too. Paulette thought I was the greatest thing since sliced bread. LOL. But don't worry about me getting the big head because Jon was always there to knock me down a notch or two.