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Homeschooling with littles at home can be a challenge at times, but it is much more of a blessing than a frustration!
So many homeschooling moms try to separate out their littles from their bigs. But in our home, we have always embraced whole family learning. This doesn’t mean that as toddlers, I’m expecting them to do schoolwork. But it does mean that they are participating alongside my big kids.
They are part of our family, and our family homeschools – so they are part of our homeschool. I don’t try to leave them out. I try to help them feel included.
But of course, when you’re managing littles at the same time you’re trying to homeschool your bigs, there are things that will make it easier.
Here are some practical tips:
- Fill your littles’ love tank first and often – spend time with them (read a book or snuggle on the couch while playing a game) before you focus on homeschooling; when you have a pause or your bigs are working independently, focus on your littles
- Have your big kids take turns playing with the little ones
- Keep hands-on, open-ended toys for your littles to play with. Dedicate a shelf or a few baskets to special toys that will hold your child’s interest. Here are some of our favorite preschool toys.
- Engage them in sensory activities like playdough or sensory bins
- Put out learning invitations like story baskets or any of the activities in Play Your Way to Reading (included in your membership if you’re a VIP or use your discount if you’re not!)
- Give your older kids (especially if you have middle and high school kids) spaces to concentrate if they are easily distracted or if your littles are loud.
- Take advantage of nap or quiet times to do focused work or activities that you don’t want your littles to touch
- Use high chairs, a baby carrier like an Ergo, or a pack ‘n play to contain a child who’s getting into a project with lots of small pieces – snacks can work wonders to keep them distracted!
- Give your littles the same thing your big kids are doing. Give them a journal, print them their own copy of the printable, give them their own “math book” (I used a coloring book).
Check out this video for more:
