Homeschooling with Toddlers Around

toddler playing #homeschoolingwithtoddlers

Whether you began homeschooling because of the corona virus school closures, or homeschooling is an active choice you’ve made for your family, homeschooling with toddlers around can present extra challenges. It’s possible, but you have to be flexible while still maintaining order in the schedule and home.

For those new to homeschooling, flexibility is the key to not losing your mind. Many of us struggle with being flexible. You can either fight it and be angry or learn to be flexible and watch the great results in your children (and in you).

You may find that each day you have to adjust slightly. It’s ok. You’ll find what works and the children will begin to understand your expectations and the routine.

Toddlers have short attention spans, so you’ll be mixing it up every 20 minutes or so. Sometimes, they may just want to sit in mommy’s lap.

Your older children, too, will need to adjust to having the distraction of the small children. But they will. Things don’t work perfectly the first few days but keep at it and everyone will eventually figure out what works best for them. (For my “Homeschooling Guide for the Unexpected Homeschooler, click here)

Some Options for Homeschooling with Toddlers Around

Remember first, that you can’t always change the natural toddler behavior. For instance, it would be silly to keep saying to your 1 yr old, “Please be quiet while Tommy does his math.” It won’t work, so don’t bang your head against a wall trying. On the other hand, a screaming toddler needs you to help him gain control. Being proactive with toddlers can often help.

Try to include them in your little homeschooling group. The other kids will be doing something that even 1 yr olds will know they want to be a part of. Depending on their age, maybe they can have a little craft bin of paper, crayons, sticker books, coloring books, small dry erase board and markers, etc.. where they can “do their work.”

Do the most challenging work during nap times.

Generally, I think it is important to get the difficult subjects out of the way first thing when your child’s brain is fresh and ready to go. But toddlers are often up and at ‘em and not interested in quiet thoughts. (Here’s a post about the importance of setting a schedule.) Sometimes, though, you’ll need to be flexible – depending on how many children you have and their ages.

Have the older children do math during toddler’s morning or afternoon naps. Try this and see how it works with your older child. If they find math difficult after lunch, then it won’t work for them and you’ll have to readjust.

Invest in some new toys that you only take out during school hours.

Now, I had 7 children, so I know how quickly the kids get bored with a toy. I’m not suggesting that any one of these will keep them quiet for 2-3 hours, but they will help with independent play. Find some quiet toys (no music or sounds every time you touch it). Some of these are age dependent and nothing listed below will keep them occupied for any length of time. But they will help for some portion of the time.

Bead mazes
Board Books
Little wooden/plastic cars and garages
Rubber balls to roll and ‘fetch’
Wooden blocks
Wooden Puzzles
Play-dough
Colorforms
Wikki Stix
Magna Doodle for 3-4 yr olds
Lacing Boards
Often, small children can just be with you while you take them around the house as you do cleaning tasks – giving them spoons, plastic containers and cups to play with.
Let them ‘help you’ clean, do the laundry, pick up/put things away.

Create a Quiet Space for Your Older Children

Go over the assignment with your child, then send them on their way to a quiet place (or you go to a different room with the toddlers) and let your child do their work. I’m a BIG believer in creating independent learners. Children shouldn’t be walked through, step-by-step, every problem or question. They need to learn to be responsible for their work, while stretching their brain to think on their own. (More about that in a future post.)

Take the Toddlers Outside

Help your toddlers run off all that energy they woke up with. Take them for a walk near your home (keeping an eye on your home), or on the swing set, or running around the yard.

Have Older Children Take Turns Playing with Toddlers

This is probably my favorite option. With 7 children, we had plenty to take turns playing and keeping our younger ones occupied while I worked with the others. Rotate the children out so they all have time to do their schoolwork, but someone is always attentive to the toddler. It’s really great for sibling bonding!

Please Don’t Resort to Tech

While it may work to for your toddlers to watch 30 minutes of an educational show a day, putting them in front of inane Netflix shows or playing games on a phone/I-Pad is not good for their brain! There are so many studies on this, but the short answer is that you’re teaching your toddler to enjoy and NEED a quick fix. Once they become dependent on that quick fix, they lose the stamina for deeper level thought processes.

One or all of the suggestions above can help you homeschool with toddlers. Again, be flexible. Try different approaches. Be careful that you don’t have expectations that the maturity of the children cannot meet. If you find yourself losing your cool, stop and remove yourself from the room for a bit and pray for some patience and peace.

Remember, your love for your children is the most important lesson you can give! It won’t be perfect overnight, but keep trying new things, be flexible, and enjoy this time with them that you’ll never be able to get back again!

Prayers for a great week!

Janet