Spring 2013 Group Project by: Caroline Ackroyd Ashley Fossum Fernando Maldonado Ellie Poore Meghan Rucker

1. Child 90.1 Group Project
School as a Socializing Agent
Caroline Ackroyd
Ashley Fossum
Fernando Maldonado
Ellie Poore
Meghan Rucker
Due: April 23, 2013

2. Introduction
How do we know what is or is not acceptable behavior in society? Where do we
learn how to interact with one another as children, and eventually, as adults?
As children, many important attributes of socialization are attained from our
immediate circle of family and friends. However, it is important to note that a large
portion of social development is also acquired in the school setting. Our parents
take us to school not only to learn to read, write and equate, but to expose us to
places and faces outside of our home as well.
This process of exposure and learned behavior is what we summarize as
socialization. The crucial role that schools place in socialization shapes much of our
society today. Here, we have shared how school influences children, schoolʼs
purpose in the socialization process, methods of socialization in schools and the
role of teachers in socialization.

3. How School Influences Children
It should not be surprising to anyone that children do benefit tremendously from
attending school. School is a way for children to have good standards set by their teachers
through demonstration of good models of behavior. School gives children a sense of
responsibility, they learn valuable lessons, and are often praised for their good efforts. For
many children school becomes like a second home to them. Schools are where education is
considered a centralized and systematic activity to give specific knowledge and abilities to
children, such as geography, physics, foreign languages, and so on. Education in school
adapts to group studying and society. Children develop several attitudes, skills and
knowledge when in school, such as becoming more confident in their own abilities, being
more responsible for their own actions and behavior, developing socially-valued academic
skills and knowledge, being more independent and self reliant, being more focused, and
developing the ability
to share, take turns,
cooperate and follow
reasonable instructions
from teachers.

4. How School Influences Children, continued…
Schools have many varying influences on children. Among the most significant are:
Behavior Development Educational Achievement Social Responsibility
Several studies, especially the 1985 American Head Start program started by Ruth
McKey, have proven that schools have immediate and positive effects on children, and
not only on their cognitive abilities but also on their self-esteem, achievement,
motivation and social behavior. Teachers are a tremendous part of those effects on
children, of course. Children who are in school generally learn to be more diligent and
less disruptive and follow rules in a formal societal setting.
Schools have a significant contribution to cognition growth, as well as a great influence on
the development of reading, and overall a strong influence on children development in
general.
School also influences children by giving them a sense of social responsibility that is
instrumental to attaining academic knowledge and skills. By behaving responsibly,
children can help broaden their learning through positive exchanges with their teachers
and/or peers, such as working together with other students on a project and sharing
their information. Additionally, children are expected to follow the rules and be
compliant, so by being socially responsible, children can enhance their academic
performance. In that aspect, teachers are crucial to helping children develop social
responsibilities…by having the rules and guidelines explained to them, and by helping
them with transitions at certain times during the daily agenda and/or curriculum.

5. School’s Purpose in the Socialization Process
Schools impact a childʼs socialization by having
games and activities that involve them working
as a team, even if a child dislikes someone in
his/her group. During circle time, children have
to sit still and listen quietly and respectfully
while others are stating an opinion, answering a
question or listening to a book being read to
them. They are learning to be respectful and
considerate of other people and those peopleʼs
opinions.
Schools also teach children to realize that the actions they take can affect other people.
This prepares them for choices they will make as adults. During their teenage years, for
example, children will likely encounter peer pressure situations that could potentially
have negative impacts on themselves or others. A child who learns how to make
proactive decisions in his/her school years will be better equipped to handle social
dilemmas as they get older.
In elementary school, you also learn how to interact with people and to understand rules,
and the consequences of those rules if you break them. Adults must know that if you
break the rules, you can end up with a citation, in jail, or worse, depending on the
law/scenario. School interactions and disciplinary processes serve to manage the daily
encounters that we will experience in adulthood. For example, if someone cuts in front of
you in line, an adult who was well-socialized as a child should know to deal with it using
words instead of trying to fight that person.

6. In elementary classrooms, children are often around people of different ethnicities or
cultures for the first time in their lives. Learning to understand and appreciate diversity is
crucial for socialization in our society today. Teaching children to make friends and to
appreciate them for their differences, no matter what their backgrounds may be, is
another important role that schools play in socialization.
Schools can teach children about the circle of life. Having a class pet helps children
learn responsibility in caring for something/someone other than themselves. Teachers
can create lesson plans that will help children understand how all creatures live and die
in this cycle. A class pet can reinforce the lessons with hands-on, tangible experiences
that children may not be getting at home. Placing a value on life, and creating concern
for the well-being of other creatures are ethical values that schools can serve to teach
children.
Schools also teach children about societal norms. Children become familiar with using
gender-designated restrooms, public and personal hygiene, respecting authority and
understanding societal roles. Insisting on ʻpleasesʼ and ʻthank yousʼ are a small way
school staff teach children to attain the things they want by performing the necessary
functions to attain them.
The core purpose of schools in a childʼs socialization is ʻopportunityʼ to better our
society. Ideally, what a family may lack, fail-in or overlook, a school can make-up for.
Schools are not strictly academic or social. They should be viewed as a combination of
both. It is impossible to educate in our school systems without addressing the aspect of
socialization - and both are often equally significant.
School’s Purpose in the Socialization Process, continued…

7. Methods of Socialization
The act of secondary socialization is developed and created in schools. By going to school,
a child learns what is considered appropriate behavior in public and group settings, outside
of their families. Schools require and expect their students to follow different rules and
exhibit different behaviors than may be expected at home. Whether or not a child is ready
emotionally or developmentally will have a huge effect on their social development when
they enter a school environment. A childʼs development can also be compromised when a
teacher or other school personnel push a narrow aspect of development and do not regard
the mired of other perspectives brought by the parents or other teachers. When working in
the school system it is important to keep an open mind.

8. Methods of Socialization, continued…
Two major skills necessary to begin developing your childʼs socialization success in a
school are to address their language development and self-regulation. Children who are
ready for their first step into a school setting, such as Kindergarten or another equivalent,
can communicate effectively and are able to concentrate and focus on a single task for a
certain period of time. To succeed in school, a child must be able to communicate their
basic needs and desires. A child who is unable to communicate effectively will have a much
harder time succeeding and developing necessary social skills. Expected school behavior
will often be very different than expected or modeled behavior at home. It is not easy to alter
instilled child-rearing that is practiced at home, or to change a parentʼs ideals on raising
their children, nor should this be our goal as teachers.
One of three socialization skills developed by schools is called Official Curriculum. This is
what the school system and itʼs teachers declare to be their content and goal for each grade
level. It is at this point where teachers have the opportunity to pass down their knowledge
and skills to the next generation of children. It can
also serve as an official environment to pass-on
cultural values, traditions and heritage, when
appropriate. As teachers, we must be careful to
provide enough information about other cultures
and traditions without offering any stereotypes or
bias. This form of curriculum often reinforces what
is learned in the family household, but can
sometimes challenge family values and norms.

9. The second form, Social Curriculum, entails learning what appropriate behavior is,
particularly in peer groups, and not necessarily friendship groups. This involves having
children working in teams, small and large groups or organized sports. Sometimes, these
groups will include people the child doesnʼt get along with or agree with. This reinforces and
deepens gender role socialization started by the family group and continued in the peer
group.
A third form of curriculum developed in schools is called Hidden Curriculum. This includes
learning the rules of behavior needed to function in formally-organized groups. For example,
turning in assignments on time, along with acknowledging that all teachers do not have the
same rules or expectations. Hidden curriculum also includes teaching children about
national pride and democracy. For example, many schools in the U.S. require their children
to learn the Pledge of Allegiance or to recite the Bill of Rights. This develops self-reliance
and obedience and helps to prepare a child for the formal organization necessary in the
adult world.
Overall, the school setting is a very important building block to a childʼs overall social
development. Children learn about socially acceptable behavior, how to work with people
they do not agree with and are exposed to different cultures and traditions. They are being
introduced to skills necessary to succeed in the real world. These methods are crucial to
proper socialization in children.
Methods of Socialization, continued…

10. The Role of Teachers in Socialization
Teachers will be one of the greatest
influences in the process and learning
of socialization in early childhood
education. Since teachers are
educating and interacting with the
children in their classes for a large
portion of each day, they will have the
chance to make an important impact
on the socialization and development
of their students. There are many
challenges and factors that will come
into play and a teacher must be ready
with tools to create a positive learning atmosphere for the children to develop the best
social skills possible.
The teacher can have a great affect on the way the child will perceive and understand
his/her social surroundings, and this is through modeling. They way the teacher directs
her class, carries-out her curriculum and engages with the children, staff and family
members will all be learning moments for her students. It comes down to the teacher
creating a learning atmosphere where the child as a whole will be cared-for and
educated. In turn, this will enhance the childʼs development into a unique and confident
individual who will be able to go into the world with a sense of who they are and what
they can do for the group as a whole.

11. The Role of Teachers in Socialization, continued…
When directing her class the teacher has the responsibility to be nurturing, accepting and
respectful to each child in her care. For children, having an adult close by who will
provide knowledge, input, guidance and support is essential to the process of social
development. Curriculum is where the teacher will be able to focus in on providing real
learning moments that will capture the essence of socialization. The curriculum will give
children hands-on interactions and experiences
to form and develop their skills. Having a well-
organized routine, yet one with flexibility in the
schedule will create a more relaxed and com-
fortable atmosphere, which will overflow into a
social environment where children are comfort-
able learning. Providing plenty of free-play
where the children are able to interact with their
peers will create moments to practice decision-
making, problem-solving and conflict resolution
is essential. All of these are learning moments
being used to form and obtain socialization.
Within the curriculum the teacher will also be
able to intertwine activities and lessons that will
pertain to treating others fairly and with kindness.
Using music and story time to enhance this know-
ledge would be an excellent way to keep encour-
aging this desired behavior.

12. The Role of Teachers in Socialization, continued…
Though there will be numerous ways the teacher will be able to use her curriculum to
influence socialization, one of the greatest will be finding ways to give some focused
attention to each child individually, in small groups and then large groups. Juggling this is
not easy, but once a teacher is able to evaluate her classroomʼs environment, the
children and the childrenʼs family in her care, the sooner she will be able to work and
develop a system that will be beneficial for all.
Positive relationships and the commitment to looking at the child as a whole within a
family-centered program, will have a positive effect on the social development of the
child. Teaching and caring for childrenʼs social skills is not done alone by anyone, but as
a unified effort my many people, especially a childʼs family and teacher(s). Engaging with
the families and creating a place where they feel accepted and treated fairly has much to
do with creating a positive social atmosphere for the child. Doing so will enable you to
find out more about the child, and then model your own behavior to match the childʼs
needs. A teacher with a heart of compassion will be able to create an atmosphere for
children to flourish socially and learn the skills needed to be a successful member of their
world.

13. Conclusion
In summary, school is undeniably one of the most important methods of preparing
our children to live and hopefully succeed in our society. School is a major
influence on the way children see themselves and each other through its purpose
in the socialization process. Schools utilize several methods to ʻteachʼ these
concepts to children, and teacherʼs play the most crucial role in overseeing how
they are implemented. Ideally, school should foster and grow a childʼs knowledge,
self-esteem and understanding of the way the world works.
The family and school should always aim to work alongside one another, never to
compete. Socialization is one of the key steps in this cooperation of family and
school. Where one may lack (ideally) the other can make-up. Regardless,
socialization is the vitality of any schoolʼs ultimate mission. Shaping younger
generations to care for one another and the world we live in is ultimately, every
schoolʼs duty.