Are Homeschooled children are more socially mature?
There have been several myths surrounding homeschooling that parents who want to venture into this learning method always encounter. You might have heard of some, but the most classic ones are that of homeschoolers being either socially awkward or “growing up too fast.” These two questions always get mixed up together because social interactions are believed to influence the maturity of a child. Let’s take a look at what homeschooling is to understand better why these myths just don’t seem to fade.
Homeschooling is parent-led. This means not only that parents decide what to include in the lessons, but the homeschoolers are also studying and learning in their own homes. This is kind of appealing because of the promising feature of shifting the focus of what children learn based on their interests, abilities, and perhaps even what their parents want the children to explore.
How Do Homeschooled Children Interact With Children Their Age?
I know what you’re thinking. You might be tempted to ask “How do the children interact with other children their age?” This is the dreaded “S question” referred to by parent-teachers. Over the years, several educators have pointed out that while sending kids to public schools may not be the best choice of environment for optimum learning, the public school setting is still perceived by most as an avenue to harness well-rounded individuals. Well, why not? Kids get to interact with peers their age and there is a teacher who guides these children inside a classroom. Also, lessons are structured and geared towards accommodating those who get left behind. This is not always the case.
The Wiley Handbook of Home Education claims that standardized test scores for traditional education are not necessarily higher than that of homeschool. The 2013 study also claims that a high percentage of admission officers expect homeschooled children to perform well in their first year in university versus traditional high school students. Now, these assumptions and claims beg the question, “Are homeschoolers more mature?” “Are they more developed than regular school students?” It is best to explore the possibilities.
Homeschooled Children May Have a Different Level of Awareness
In the eyes of those aware, it is easy to spot a homeschooled child from afar. Is it because they are not social? Well, let’s bust that myth! Homeschooled children behave differently in a good way. It is safe to say that homeschoolers are indeed mature. They behave well in a crowd. Children may react better in tricky circumstances. Homeschooled children may show better attitudes in social situations, and they are critical thinkers. They exude confidence and take every challenge head-on.
These are all thanks to the commitment that parent-teachers have. There are always two sides to every situation, but those parents who let their children explore, grow, and solve problems on their own have better chances of raising emotionally and socially mature individuals. The very few who take homeschooling to a different level often mistake it as a form of control over their children. This is not a healthy type of control because most of the time, the children are sheltered and not allowed to think on their own and have to rely on their parents’ decisions at all times.
So what makes these homeschoolers more mature than kids who are a product of the traditional school setting?
First, while they stay home to learn, homeschoolers have more activities booked for them than regular students have. And these are not just typical activities. They range from playdates with other homeschoolers to sports events, quiz bees, local and abroad travel, youth camps, and many more. These activities are very stimulating because they get mixed with children and adults alike. They are taught how to properly act in different situations and treat different people with respect, and tolerance among others. This is also the reason why they behave well in a crowd because they have the first-hand experience of being put in social situations and places in the real world.
They also react better in tricky situations because they have experience thinking about the problem at hand and finding ways to solve such problems. They are given opportunities to explore, succeed, and fail so they have better processing of problematic situations and their results. It actually helps that they are not subjected to judgment and so they do not have the concept of fear of failure and being labeled. This is one of the many problems regular students have. Because the school community is composed of diverse individuals, peer pressure is a big issue. Such peer pressures affect the decision making and reactions of children whereas, in the case of homeschoolers, they have freedom over their emotions and their interests.
Some Possible Behavioral Differences in Homeschool Children
They actually have good social manners. You would most often find homeschoolers to be more open and easy-going than other kids their age. This results from their interactions with different age groups. The fact that they have a parent figure guiding them all the time, would almost mean that they learn good manners from them because parents would want to ensure that their children grow into polite individuals. They are not awkward because they are always in situations where they mingle with a lot of people even if these different people do not share the same interests as that of theirs. And no, being around adults does not make one “grow up too fast!”
Intellectual Freedom Through Homeschooling May Can Foster Innovation
Their freedom in the homeschool setting grants them autonomy in their learning. They are responsible for their own learning process even though their parents guide them. Imagine being given control of lessons and problems to solve. Soon enough, you might even start thinking outside the box all the time! Critical thinking is honed in these moments of autonomy and trust from parents. It is the confidence that faith and trust are shared between the homeschoolers and their parents. Children from traditional school settings are often forced to solve problems or look at situations in a prescribed way. Homeschoolers get to pick up something in every situation!
Critical thinking is not just about problem-solving and thinking outside the box. Homeschoolers have a better grasp of their emotions and opinions. They could easily express themselves and not shy away from asking questions until their curiosity is satisfied. Thus, most of the choices they make are wise ones!
Homeschooling and Intellectual Independence
Independence could not be highlighted more when talking about homeschooling. It is the goal of every parent-teacher to raise a well-rounded, independent child through homeschooling. Because of the fact that homeschoolers are given opportunities to focus on their own talents and interests, they develop a sense of individuality. They know what they want. Students know what to prioritize. Homeschooled students often do not have the need to rely on other people’s decisions because they can make their own. This helps them exude so much confidence to take every challenge head-on. In the midst of the busy schedule of homeschoolers, they can multitask. However, it is important to remember that they do not necessarily reject the figures of authority. They respect figures of authorities especially when they know that these people only want what’s best for them.
With all these, if you’re thinking that homeschoolers are ready for the world, you most likely have the correct assumption. They are more mature if taking into consideration their behavior, attitude, and decision-making process. Most children their age would go with what the majority thinks, but they do not. They have their wise decisions and they know what they want. Having focus and knowing what you want is such an empowering feeling. These homeschoolers are empowered to face the real world and they are equipped with real-world knowledge that they experienced first hand.
Conclusion, Are Homeschoolers More Mature?
Well, they can be based on the unique learning environment and attention to detail that often is associated with a homeschooling curriculum. Schooling environment is not a necessary component for maturity but more so the environment in which children are placed in. Parentage, social environment, racial demographics, economics, and other factors all play a role in the overall development of a child. Homeschooling when done right can provide a wonderful platform for a child to develop and mature.