Today we’re adding to our ideas for accommodating a toddler while homeschooling. If you haven’t seen the first post on this topic, take a look here. We covered some really helpful ideas that are worth checking out! Here are some more.
Tasks
If your toddler likes to help (and many do!), some regular tasks can keep her busy while you work. Some of these might require a little training but should be doable for most two- or three-year-olds with some initial training.
Watering plants can be a fun and helpful job. A child’s small watering can will make this a
good toddler task. Toddlers can also enjoy sorting things like toys, plastic cups, and recently washed socks. Your little one might feel like a hero for wiping down surfaces like the kitchen table or cabinets with a sponge or damp rag, and making beds can be fun for some.
Outdoor time
Many homeschool subjects can be taught well outdoors, giving everyone a chance for some fresh air, and providing your toddler with an opportunity to run around, play with outdoor toys, and blow off some energy.
Screen time
Some families don’t do screen time at all for toddlers, and that is certainly understandable! But if you do, you can make use of it on homeschool days. If your toddler has a favorite show on TV or learning game on a tablet, take advantage of that activity to knock some things out with your older kids during that 30 minutes or so. If you do use screen time on a tablet, setting a timer is a great idea. Let your toddler know in advance that, when the timer goes off, it’s time for a new activity!
Screen time can be especially good for winding down after coming in from outside play.
One-on-one time with you
Though your toddler doesn’t have any school work that HAS to be done, as your older kids do, don’t forget that he still needs your attention and to know he is important to you. Carve out a little time with your toddler while your school-aged kids are doing some independent work. Just ten minutes of one-on-one time together could really help you get through the afternoon tasks you need to do with your older kids.
Time with older siblings
If a homeschooled child has a free block of time, let her use some of that to do something fund with your toddler while you work with another child. Your toddler will likely love having some sibling time, and hopefully your school-aged child will enjoy the time together, too. At the very least, she should enjoy the break from school work! It would be great for the older and younger siblings to find something they enjoy doing together, something that connects them and fosters closeness.
Other ideas
Talk to your toddler about the importance of being considerate to the other household members. As much as possible, help her understand that she is loving and supporting her siblings when she is mindful about not distracting them when they are working.
Celebrate each child’s achievements periodically in a way that includes everyone. This helps all the children learn that, when one person wins, all win. It’s a great way to establish a supportive and considerate environment, and it provides an opportunity to highlight different strengths and victories. What kinds of things can you celebrate together?
- Completing a math facts sheet accurately in the fastest time yet
- A project for science, literature, etc. completed and presented to the family
- A behavioral achievement, something your child (homeschooled or younger) has been
struggling with and recently succeeded at
- A fear overcome
- An act of kindness done voluntarily
Finally, homeschooling provides an opportunity for training. It’s a great chance to teach and build skills in self-control that will benefit your toddler and those around her.
Like so many things in parenting, some of our greatest challenges are also some of our best opportunities. Homeschooling older kids while meeting the needs of a toddler is no small task! But with creativity and intentionality, it can foster love, support, and closeness among siblings and provide opportunities for academic and personal growth.
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