Oh, my poor homeschooled child...how will he EVER learn?

I think I've been pretty fortunate so far. Well, OK...my son is only 4 years old, so we probably don't get the looks & comments about "Why aren't you in school today?" Our family knows our homeschool plans & seems to embrace them (or they keep their doubts to themselves, which I also appreciate!). For whatever reason, I have not been directly confronted with any "What about socialization?" questions from the peanut gallery.


I suppose this story isn't DIRECTLY about homeschooling vs classroom schooling. But one little sentence just ruffled my feathers so much this morning!


Reese has expressed an interest in all sorts of performing arts lately, & I contacted a film school just to see what they offered for young children. I explained that Reese would technically be in Kindergarten next year & that we homeschool. Word for word, here was the response:


"We don't take anyone until they have been in a Kindergarten class where they have learned discipline and kindergarten things (sociolizing, how to sit when they need to, etc). "




First, use spell-checker lady. It's socializing. Apparently, we don't know how to do it, but we sure can spell it!


Second, apparently one needs a Kindergarten classroom to learn to sit where you need to. I guess that means that all preschoolers & homeschoolers aren't quite sure where to sit. The chair, or in the fireplace? On the couch or under the bed? Duh. Here's some examples of Reese not quite knowing where to sit:

Like this....

Oh yea, and this...

And here's some other examples of lack of socialization:
Here's one...

Oh don't forget about this...

Poor child just isn't socialized

How 'bout this one?



Now, just for the record, I do understand why they would say "our youngest age limit is 5 years old." or something like that. Of course children mature as they get older & the attention span a 4 year old has is generally less than that of a 5 year old. But to require "kindergarten skills" and label such skills as socialization & sitting where you're supposed to? Come on people!