This Utah article is not firing on all cylinders.
Social development in a homeschool co-op – ABC4.com - By: Noah Bond
DRAPER, Utah – Homeschooling is evolving into co-ops. They’re made of several families who share the responsibility to teach.
From the video:
News anchor – “How are they developing socially?”
Reporter – “I looked for that when I walked in …”
Why are these people looking for “that” in the co-ops? There are socially awkward kids in the schools. There are kids so socially backwards, they bully their school peers day after day after day. The socialization failure in schools has illogically deflected to homeschooling. In the interview, a homeschooled boy noted what happened to him in school, while reflecting happiness in his current homeschooling life.
Homeschoolers educate their kids. Public schools are there to educate kids. Some homeschoolers use co-ops once a week or more sharing their talents for additional depth. It is also fun to hang out and learn with other kids who want to be there.Besides the cooperative choice of some homeschoolers, they use mentors, community resources, on-line materials and yes, staying at home to learn a particular subject. That’s called learning, while socializing in the great big, real world.
Using the home as the base for social development works well for many. So does educating at home. Just like schools, there is a blend of education and social training. I wager homeschoolers have the best end of that deal. Homeschooling kids may not stand in line well, but they excel at independent thinking. Works for me.