Juggling Little Ones While Homeschooling
I have had little ones at my feet the entire time we’ve been homeschooling, and some days are harder than others… but I’ve certainly learned a few things that really help keep things running smoothly! One thing to remember: children are born persons. I know, I know, DUH! But in reality, I’ve noticed how easy it can be to group little ones into a category of “not yet” rather than whole-soul-people, simply because they’re in the “play” stage, rather than the “lessons” stage. All are equally as valuable though!
Start Your Morning Early and Alone
This is primarily relevant for those mamas who are more easily overstimulated, and don’t have an infant they’re nursing through the night. If you have a regulated nervous system and can handle being stretched in many different directions without being overwhelmed, then you may not need to do this. If you DO get easily overstimulated by the many needs and responsibilities of having lots of children and tasks needing your attention, then I highly recommend implementing a Mother’s Morning. I dissect a Mother’s Morning in my book, Making a Home… so if you’d like to dive deeper into this and making it realistic for you and your life season, then be sure to check that out.
Create Rhythm & Connection Points
Small children thrive with routines, and when they know what to expect. Parents and big kids need routines, but so do little ones; they’re just simpler. Have anchors in your day that intentionally revolve around positive attention on your toddlers or preschoolers, and keep that consistency with them. For example, snuggling with them and reading a few picture books early in the morning before starting your official homeschool day. Rock them before or after naps, enjoy a snack with them on the porch each afternoon, or have them help you make a smoothie. Doesn’t have to be extravagant or take hours, just little anchors that help them stay grounded throughout your days teaching the big kids. Keep it simple, but consistent. Fill their love tank first, before giving your attention to your older children.
Have Special Toys and Activities that are Only for Lessons
I have been using these caddies for my big girls for keeping their homeschool notebooks and things neat and orderly, but this year I’ve added two more for my toddler and preschooler. When my girls grab their caddies, the littles can have theirs as well. We keep special toys or activities in them that they only get to play with during our homeschool lesson times. This ensures they don’t quickly lose interest, and they don’t get overplayed with, so they’re all the more helpful when we really need them to be!
Some of the things we have in these caddies, and things we will rotate in over the next couple months:
- drawing tablets
- magnet people
- mini beeswax crayons
- puzzles
- magnetic dress up (boy)
- magnetic dress up (girl)
- busy toy
- sorting sticks
- magnet tin
- fine motor hedgehog
- play dough
- play dough toys
- book and puzzle play set
- lacing cards
- wax sticks
- coloring book
- sketchbook
- beeswax crayons
- magnet number maze
We use these bags to keep things organized! I also have this label maker that I will eventually label these all with, haha.
Other toys and activities we have accessible for any time:
- magnatiles
- wooden blocks
- animals
- Yoto player
- roads
- cars
- kinetic sand
- sensory tray
- books in every room
- some toys in their bedrooms
- stickers & paper
- water toys with water table
- modeling beeswax
- mess free markers & paper
- mega bloks
- non toxic watercolors
I love both these baskets, and these. We also use these!
Allow Them to Be Part
Embrace their curiosity! If the baby is wanting to see what they’re doing at the table, then hold the baby or set him/her up at the table with them and something he/she can be part of. Put on a smock and let the baby paint with non toxic paints while the bigs are doing their art. Allow the toddler to climb into your lap while you’re reading. I’ve been found nursing the baby many times while reading our books aloud! Have a little basket of board books that the toddler can look at while you read aloud to the elders. Let the preschooler draw in his/her own little sketchbook while the older children draw in their narration notebook. The baby IS the lesson sometimes. Don’t let your own inconvenience rob the child of feeling fully part of the family. Sometimes, the toddler just needs to be in mama’s arms, and that’s really okay too.
Let the Siblings Help
If you have several children, then allow your other kids to take turns helping keep the baby occupied, while you work with another child. One child can read books or play with blocks alongside the preschooler, while another could be working on sums with you. One child may be pushing the toddler on the swing, while you read aloud to them all. Give your children the gift of camaraderie. You’re a team! Work together and offer them different roles of responsibility and loving on their siblings at the same time.
Utilize Nap Times
If you know there are subjects that really need to be uninterrupted and the toddler is just drawn to whatever it is you’re doing, then either pivot and change your schedule to allot for moving that lesson to nap time altogether, or be okay with every now and then using that uninterrupted quiet time to focus on something specific for your older kids. Another reason why Mother’s Morning is so vital, I think. If we know we have our allotted time in the morning, “losing” a portion of nap time won’t feel like such a loss at all. It will simply be an addition of quality time with your older children.
Get Out-of-Doors
Go outside! Take a picnic blanket and move your lessons outside, and let your little ones play with a sandbox, a water table, or explore the garden. Fresh air does everyone good! You can even bring an audiobook along (via your phone or Yoto Player), and go for a walk. Strap the littles down in the stroller (this is our favorite double for our toddler and preschooler), or wear your baby in a carrier (here’s my favorite), and have the older kids walk alongside you. Exercise, reading, and happy children all around!
Take Lots of Breaks!
Extend lots of grace, and take a lot of breaks! Part of the beauty of homeschooling is the ability to pivot as needed. We are all humans, and learning to adapt and learn to live in harmony with others is part of the beauty of family and the good gifts God gives us. Family is a good gift. Home education is lovely, wonderful, and necessary… but your family culture is far more impactful than how many check marks you get done each day. Extend grace for yourself, your littles, and teach your bigs the beauty of going with the flow and offering helping hands when needed.
Above all, remember that they’re truly only this little for so long, and before you know it you’ll blink and they become the “big kids.” It genuinely goes by SO fast, although the days certainly feel so very long. You’re not alone! I’m there with you in the trenches, but not only do we have one another, God holds us fast and is faithful. If we’re diligent in our work and role as mama, He will provide us wisdom as we ask for it (James 1).
Snuggle your babies close, remember that there will *always* be gaps in any form of education, but we only get so much time with them so little, and at home with us. Focus on connection over the endless to do lists, and truly, you’ll all be okay. You’ll be better than okay! You will have a loving, (albeit imperfect), healthy, thriving adult one day, if we take pains (make effort) to intentionally love them well, through the little years and beyond.
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