This is a continuation from my previous post. . . .

Q:  Have you thought about peer-to-peer socialization for your children?

Yes, a lot!  I have much to say specifically about socialization.  Putting children in traditional school isn’t the only way to get socialization.  Children can socialize with other children through church functions, sports, clubs, family gatherings, etc.  As for our family, we feel the local church community to be a crucial environment for socialization for our children.

Peer-to-peer socialization isn’t the healthiest form of socialization because based on my observation, many peer dominated groups tend not to be able to interact with people outside of their age.  Socialization is defined by one’s ability to interact with the society, which is made up of people of different ages.  Being in an age segregated group is not real life because much of our lives require that we interact with other age groups.  I find that most people have a difficult time integrating in their church and work upon graduation because they had just spent their entire life in an age segregated environment, i.e. school.

As we think about socialization, I want my children to be able to interact with people of all ages.  Even though our children’s ages range from 1 – 7.5  years, the people they interact with on a regular basis are men and women in their 20’s.   They also have friends of their age too.

Q.  What role does your husband have in your home school?

He is the principal and my substitute teacher.  Even though he doesn’t know all the kids’ schooling in detail, he’s very aware of where they’re at academically.  Whenever I need to be away, he’s able to step in and help teach a lesson or two.  He also goes on field trips with us.  He’s a very involved dad who often dispenses insights, teachings, and comments throughout the day.

Q.  How do you teach children of all ages at the same time?

The first thing we do is circle time where everyone gathers in a circle to start the school day.  Currently we’re doing history and Chinese in our circle time.  Afterward, the oldest two remained at the table to do additional school work.  The youngest three are free to play in the same room.  I don’t send them away because I don’t want them to mess around in another room where I can’t keep an eye on them.  In addition, I want them to be in the same room so they can hear the lessons being taught even though they’re not active participant.  Kids pick up things more than we give them credit for.  By having them in the same room also conveys to them that they are important to me and that I don’t want to send them away.

Of course the younger kids can be a distraction while I teach the older ones.  In such case, I tell them to lower their voices or go to the opposite corner away from us to play quietly.  If both scenarios fail, I tell them to sit quietly and read.  The younger ones are non-readers so they “read” by flipping pages and looking at all the pictures.

These were all the questions that were asked by the group.  If you have other questions, let me know and I’d be happy to answer them to the best of my ability.