If you are currently homeschooling or considering homeschooling your child, you probably know all the benefits homeschooling can provide. You'll have more control over the curriculum, be able to customize teaching to your child's personal learning style, and avoid the pressures and dangers of public schools. However, are you aware of the major mental and social damage you can cause if you don't make the right choices?
Children need friends. Usually, they meet their friends in school. Take a child out of school, and where will they meet potential play partners? What will the other kids think of your homeschooled child? Like it or not, children in public schools often think that homeschooled children are not in public school because of mental disorders, behavioral problems, or "freaky" parents. Your child might be made fun of or picked on because he isn't considered normal. These challenges must be overcome if you want your child to have a positive social life and be able to function amongst their peers when they get to college.
By deciding to homeschool, it becomes the parent's responsibility to find friendships for the child. This task is just as important as the actual schoolwork. The following tips will get you started towards placing your child on the track of a positive social life.
Know your neighborhood: Start with where you live. How many children close to your child's age live nearby? Do you know the parents? If not, you need to. Seek out parents nearby. Let them know you have a child that you'd like to set up a play date for. Since you're the one initiating these meetings, you're also the one who needs to do the organizing. Have a party. Hire a clown. Invite all the local kids over. Invite other kids and their parents to a ballgame, fishing, bowling, or any other activity that children enjoy. Or even offer to baby-sit.
Sports are important: Next to school, sports teams provide the best environment for your child to form deep bonds with other kids. They spend a lot of time at practice and root for each other in games. Also, you'll be meeting other parents while watching all the games. If your child has physical problems or would embarrass himself on a playing field, get them involved in activities like Boy/Girl Scouts or any other local organization for children.
Let Pop Culture into the Home: Some homeschooling parents maintain strict control over what their child is allowed to listen to on the radio, watch on television, and what they do on the internet. While it is important to keep them away from dangerous situations, it is also important to let them be exposed to the same influences as other children. Remember that your child is already facing an uphill battle to not be considered "weird." Imagine how much worse it would be for them if they didn't know any of the hot bands, cool TV shows, or what type of clothes other kids wear? Without being exposed to mainstream culture, they will have little to talk about with other children and will have a hard time relating to others.
To read a complete collection of Homeschooling articles, visit http://www.homeschoolingsecrets.info
recurring cleaning service Mundelein ..Saturday mornings. Cold cereal and Scooby Doo. How many parents... Read More
Picture this. Your child comes home with a special assignment... Read More
The legend and myth of the Tooth Fairy is a... Read More
Recently, our family had the opportunity to care for sisters'... Read More
Prenatal intelligence, also known as fetal intelligence, has become a... Read More
There isn't a school day that goes by that I... Read More
You may remember The Red Couch Project, a book by... Read More
A sure way to double the joys of parenthood is... Read More
I have been a single mom for almost 20 years.... Read More
Research has shown that the present generation of children worldwide... Read More
When a couple steps forth with a baby in tow... Read More
Question 1 "How do I get more time to play?"... Read More
John Bishop's Goal Setting for Students.comParents ? Minimize Homework Hassles?It's... Read More
Did you know that cooking with your kids is a... Read More
As the kids go back to school, you can go... Read More
How well do you really know your child?There is so... Read More
Have you ever wondered why toys for babies tend to... Read More
Here are some tips that I have picked up from... Read More
Imagine a child who lacks ownership of his own life,... Read More
Young people generally want to fit in to their various... Read More
Finding answers to a child's underachievement is often a difficult... Read More
Are you a parent concerned about passing values on to... Read More
Many companies advertise their products as being educational. How much... Read More
"Money is tight, and my husband's obsessed with doing everything... Read More
"The greatest gift I ever had Came from God, and... Read More
tidy up service Buffalo Grove ..There are a few points about shyness in children which... Read More
For any of you Moms out there that are doing... Read More
Have you heard the song; "I Hope You Dance"? It... Read More
Saturday mornings. Cold cereal and Scooby Doo. How many parents... Read More
Think back to your own childhood. Chances are, some of... Read More
One of the most prevalent problems of the computer age... Read More
We begin forming healthy habits at a young age. With... Read More
Although it might seem pretty corny to a lot of... Read More
You are at the grocery store with your daughter and... Read More
Blink. That's all we did, blink, and summer is ending... Read More
Grandparents, what better way to stay close to your grown... Read More
Why are more people, especially parents not outraged?I call it... Read More
If you are a parent, then more than likely you... Read More
Mealtimes together deserve an important place in any family. Around... Read More
John Bishop's Goal Setting for Students.comParents ? Minimize Homework Hassles?It's... Read More
My name is Duncan and I'm 2 years old. I... Read More
This past holiday season Canadians spent over $45 billion-with parents... Read More
ADHD comes in differenty forms, or types. What... Read More
We've got spirit, yes we do! We've got spirit how... Read More
I was in the life insurance sales industry for over... Read More
Non-compliance is the family therapist's big word for your child... Read More
Q. I don't like my children spending so much time... Read More
Are your children truthful, kind, and helpful? If so, read... Read More
Your child's first year of school should be a fun... Read More
Are you worried about your child's reading habits? Perhaps you... Read More
Parenting |