HSFAQs

All of us who homeschool have been asked atleast one of these questions about homeschooling. These are some of the responses we have given.

What about socialization?

Socialization issues are precisely one main reason why I choose to homeschool. Children in a large classroom situation are not properly supervised, and left to their own devices, "socialize" each other in improper ways. Yes, of course all children need to learn how to behave with other children, but at this age they need supervision and wise guidance. Children that socialize each other learn things like the bully always wins. Ask any parent of a kid newly sent to school - they can't believe the things that their kids come home saying, and the ways that they begin treating not only their parents, but their siblings as well. And here's a study:
     Dr. Johnson (1991) concluded that home educators carefully address the socialization needs of their children in every area studied (i.e., personal identity, personal destiny, values and moral development, autonomy, relationships, sexuality, and social skills.).
     Studying actual observed behavior, Dr. Shyers (1992) found the home educated had significantly lower problem behavior scores than do their conventional school agemates. And the home educated have positive self-concepts.
     Dr. Taylor (1996) found that the home educated have significantly higher self concepts than those in public schools.
     The home schooled are well adjusted socially and emotionally like their private school comparison group. The home educated, however, are less peer dependent than the private school students. (Delahooke, 1986)
     Dr. Montgomery (1989) found that home schooled students are just as involved in out-of-school and extracurricular activities that predict leadership in adulthood as are those in the comparison private school (that was comprised of students more involved than those in public schools).

How will you teach algebra/geometry/chemistry/physics ?

me: Well, gee, I took those subjects in high school, didn't you?
questioner: Yes, of course, but I don't REMEMBER anything from those classes.
me: There you go! Surely I can do a better job than the teacher you had!

I can learn as we go, just as my children will. Most adults have "homeschooled" themselves in some hobby or area of interest - and they probably know way more about whatever that particular interest is than anything they learned in school.