socialization
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I'm just taking a few bits from a short article called "Socialization or
Social Development," by Linda Kreger Silverman. The article is really about
gifted kids, but it provides one of the best, most articulate, responses to
questions about "socialization" that a homeschooler could want. The stuff in
quotes is from the article.
(http://www.gifteddevelopment.com/Articles/Social%20Development.html)
"Indeed, the remarkable emphasis on the school as an agent of socialization
makes one wonder if anyone really cares about the development of these
children’s abilities or if all that is important is whether they fit in!"
She says she wants to differentiate between socialization and social
development and that socialization is the ability to adapt to the needs of a
group. Then she says:
"But at what price? If one works very hard at fitting in with others,
especially when one feels very different from others, self-alienation can
result."
Then, this is the part I really like, she talks about "social development" as
something different than "socialization."
"Social development, on the other hand, is not the pressure to adapt, but a
deep, comfortable level of self -acceptance that leads to true friendships
with others.
Lasting friendships are based on mutual interests and values, not on age.
Individuals with good social development like themselves, like other people,
demonstrate concern for humanity, and develop mutually rewarding friendships
with a few kindred spirits. Social development goes hand in hand with
self-actualization, whereas socialization is merely the desire to conform –
often the opposite of self-actualization."
--pam
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Social Development," by Linda Kreger Silverman. The article is really about
gifted kids, but it provides one of the best, most articulate, responses to
questions about "socialization" that a homeschooler could want. The stuff in
quotes is from the article.
(http://www.gifteddevelopment.com/Articles/Social%20Development.html)
"Indeed, the remarkable emphasis on the school as an agent of socialization
makes one wonder if anyone really cares about the development of these
children’s abilities or if all that is important is whether they fit in!"
She says she wants to differentiate between socialization and social
development and that socialization is the ability to adapt to the needs of a
group. Then she says:
"But at what price? If one works very hard at fitting in with others,
especially when one feels very different from others, self-alienation can
result."
Then, this is the part I really like, she talks about "social development" as
something different than "socialization."
"Social development, on the other hand, is not the pressure to adapt, but a
deep, comfortable level of self -acceptance that leads to true friendships
with others.
Lasting friendships are based on mutual interests and values, not on age.
Individuals with good social development like themselves, like other people,
demonstrate concern for humanity, and develop mutually rewarding friendships
with a few kindred spirits. Social development goes hand in hand with
self-actualization, whereas socialization is merely the desire to conform –
often the opposite of self-actualization."
--pam
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
zenmomma *
>I met with Linda Silverman when my son was still in school and having
>I'm just taking a few bits from a short article called "Socialization or
>Social Development," by Linda Kreger Silverman. The article is really about
>gifted kids, but it provides one of the best, most articulate, responses to
>questions about "socialization" that a homeschooler could want.
problems. She was the first person to ever recommend homeschooling to me.
And although she didn't use the word unschooling, that is what she was
describing. I will always be thankful to her. Her focus is "gifted" kids,
but her ideas extend well beyond.
~Mary
_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp.
Sharon Rudd
All children are gifted. The hard part is to not
destroy the gifts.
Sharon of the Swamp
ps I forwarded the link on to one of my sons. He
tested (yup...we did it officially....about 20+ years
ago) way on up there in the super genious levels
and,as a child, he always had trouble finding peers,
EXCEPT in the "grassroots, free school" circles. Now I
wonder why that was? :-) This held true for my other
boys, as well.
--- zenmomma * <zenmomma@...> wrote:
Do You Yahoo!?
Check out Yahoo! Shopping and Yahoo! Auctions for all of
your unique holiday gifts! Buy at http://shopping.yahoo.com
or bid at http://auctions.yahoo.com
destroy the gifts.
Sharon of the Swamp
ps I forwarded the link on to one of my sons. He
tested (yup...we did it officially....about 20+ years
ago) way on up there in the super genious levels
and,as a child, he always had trouble finding peers,
EXCEPT in the "grassroots, free school" circles. Now I
wonder why that was? :-) This held true for my other
boys, as well.
--- zenmomma * <zenmomma@...> wrote:
> >_________________________________________________________________
> >I'm just taking a few bits from a short article
> called "Socialization or
> >Social Development," by Linda Kreger Silverman. The
> article is really about
> >gifted kids, but it provides one of the best, most
> articulate, responses to
> >questions about "socialization" that a homeschooler
> could want.
>
> I met with Linda Silverman when my son was still in
> school and having
> problems. She was the first person to ever recommend
> homeschooling to me.
> And although she didn't use the word unschooling,
> that is what she was
> describing. I will always be thankful to her. Her
> focus is "gifted" kids,
> but her ideas extend well beyond.
>
> ~Mary
>
>
>
> Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at__________________________________________________
> http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp.
>
>
Do You Yahoo!?
Check out Yahoo! Shopping and Yahoo! Auctions for all of
your unique holiday gifts! Buy at http://shopping.yahoo.com
or bid at http://auctions.yahoo.com
[email protected]
In a message dated 11/1/03 8:42:50 PM Eastern Standard Time,
lydiajo@... writes:
I can so see Lyndsey doing that, LOL. See seems like a social butterfly.
Pam G
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
lydiajo@... writes:
> She came back to our table bubblingLydia,
> over about her new found friend who talked to her about holloween, playing
> in a band
> and eating lots of candy. Then she happily played with a 1 yr old who was
> learning to
> walk. All in all she was a social butterfly.
>
> Lydia, mom to Lyndsey the energizer toddler
>
>
I can so see Lyndsey doing that, LOL. See seems like a social butterfly.
Pam G
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]