Homeschooling isn’t easy. It is a great lifestyle, but it does take work.
Homeschooling with babies and toddlers underfoot is definitely harder. Many people do it and there are quite a few benefits to homeschooling with babies in the house. Here are some ideas to make it easier to homeschool with babies in the house.
1. School when babies are sleeping
Plan to work on things that require focus when the baby is sleeping. It will allow the big kids and you to focus on the work while your baby takes a nap.
2. Change the focus of your school
Focused, scheduled work time is the most difficult to complete with a baby in the house. If that is your focus, try changing it to something more baby friendly. Move storytime to the floor so baby can cuddle and explore. Field trips and other exploration allow you to carry baby in a sling while the big kids learn. Allow big kids to attempt some safe science experiments while you carry the baby in a sling. No explosives, please! Have one of your big kids tell a story to the little kids while you walk a fussy baby. And in the end, remember The Baby is the Lesson.
3. Keep special toys for School Time
A tub of special toys can help to keep babies and toddlers occupied while the big kids are focused. Keep the toys out of circulation during non-school times to maintain the novelty.
4. Let them join the fun
When everyone else is occupied, toddlers can go looking for trouble. Give them some gentle, optional school work. Crayons and a coloring page might look close enough to everyone else’s school work to keep an active toddler engaged. Try planning some activities to keep them busy such as tangrams, board books, a lightbright and then presenting them as their special school. Zip lock bags or baskets will help keep it all organized. As with the special toys in # 3, remember to keep these activities put away during non-school time.
5. Utilize your helpers
Big brothers and sisters can take turns holding the baby while you teach math to the little kids. Little kids can take ‘babysitter duty’ with the toddlers and play whatever the toddler wants to play. Forget about trying to minize the time spent on school. Simplify the time you do spend by getting help from the other kids.
6. Let some stuff go
The fact is, when homeschooling (and especially when homeschooling with a baby) there is never going to be enough time to get everything done. Prioritize. Compromise. Delegate. And, in the end, just let go what isn’t high priority.
Quiet down cobwebs and dust go to sleep.
I’m rocking my baby and babies don’t keep.
Homeschooling with babies and children is certainly more challenging, but many people do it and live to tell the tale. Remember to enjoy your children and that a happy family is your first priority.
