Handling Littles While You Teach

Are you having a hard time occupying your littlest ones while you cover the hard subjects of division, grammar, and algebra with your older kids? I feel like this is a common problem in most homeschooling houses in the growing family phase of life. The little ones crave attention from you and the older ones need your help and direction with their lessons. I am not perfect, but I have come up with a few ways to keep a balance and want to share them with you in case it helps.

I have found that by the age of 3-4 your child may be interested in this concept of school. They naturally want to do what their older siblings are doing and have their own important tasks. Well, give them some. You obviously do not need to do any real lessons or push them to do anything at this age, but have projects available to them when everyone else is at the table. If big brother is learning about plant life cycles, have a coloring page ready for them to color. If you are doing math, have them play with magnetic numbers on a cookie sheet. Be creative in this and tailor it to your child's interests. Have these things ready at the table before you even start with your older kids so they can independently join as they wish.

If little one is that difficult age of 1-3 where table work is difficult or not easily achieved yet you can be a little more creative. I have done things as simply as make a roadway on my hallway floor out of painter's tape. My daughter had to drive every car she owned up and down every street and avenue. This bought me 20-30 minutes since she was so into cars that week. That was plenty of time to do a math lesson! You can make a cotton ball drop out of toilet paper and paper towel tubes and some painter's tape. Toddlers love to drop things and see what happens so this will be a hit with most.

When in doubt, have them come to the table to have a snack while you teach. This way they feel included, have a snack in hand, and are easy to supervise. Bonus points if they listen a little and pick something up with that growing brain!

The biggest advice I can give anyone homeschooling with littles on their hip: take each day, each moment as it comes. Maybe you are having a rough toddler day and need to shift your older kiddos to something more independent for the remainder of the day. Maybe you find that you have a toddler who despises the sun rising. Move your heavy lessons to later in the day when they are either napping or in a better mood. Maybe this is just a moment in the day where the big feelings are winning. Go to a park, for a walk, or bake brownies together to take a break before coming back. Sometimes they just need to leave the same set of walls, wiggle a little, or breath some fresh air. I've even taken my daughter to our porch to just take some deep breaths of air outside in the sun and her mood has improved instantly like a reset button.

You should also know that you are noticed. These days are hard, but some of the most rewarding. It makes it all worth it when you hear your oldest talking to your youngest about things he learned today. It reminds you that part of the reason your doing this is for the family connection being together brings.