ABSTRACT
Socialization is concerned with the influences of the diverse social agents, ranging from the family to the culture, on children’s psychological and social development. Socialization is necessary for developing children who are integrated into society as respected participants (Damon, 1984). If the family unit is the first and major vehicle for socialization of children, schools run a close second (Shaffer, 1985). Generally, parents see the beginning of school as an opportunity for their children to meet new peers and adults and to interact in social settings beyond those of home and neighborhood. Getting on the school bus the first day of kindergarten is exciting and stressful precisely because it is recognized as a rite of passage from a closely knit social environment into a larger setting.
