Have you ever been teaching algebra and been interrupted by the sound of your toddler riffling through your bookcase? Or teaching biology and look up to see your walls decorated with Crayola markers, complements of your toddler? Or worse yet, realize you have not taught a decent day of school since your baby turned into a toddler?
Home schooling is not for the faint of heart. Our families are constantly changing, growing, and living life in between fractions and Moby Dick. One of the biggest changes a home schooling family can go through is the addition of a new baby. You wonder how you will home school during pregnancy, recovery and the early months. You eventually find your stride with a sleeping baby on your hip. You learn to teach long division while simultaneously feeding a baby. Then one day that sleeping baby is awake and struggling to get off your hip and conquer the stairs. You find teaching chemistry while potty training is a feat no earthly woman can accomplish with dignity. Now what?
This is one of those times when you need to take advantage of the freedom your home school lifestyle affords you. The freedom to adjust your schedule, change your methods, and get creative. Here are some tips to surviving home schooling with a toddler in tow:
Create a Toddler School Box
You will need a box large enough to stow items to keep your toddler busy, but small enough to store and maneuver easily. Feel free to decorate the box with your toddler. Fill the box with items to entertain your toddler during school hours.
Items to include:
*Stickers
*Crayons
*Paper
*Play-doh
*Small wood puzzles or toys
*Hot wheels cars
*Coloring books
*Lacing toys
*Tanagram sets
*Measuring cups and spoons
Use this box during school hours only to keep her interest and to make her feel included during this part of the day.
Include Your Toddler in the Day
Toddlers love to explore the world around them. Without guidance and a constant eye, your toddler will explore this world on her own and the results may be messy. Here are some ways to include your toddler so she is busy and you can still teach your older students:
Math Time
Use this time to bring out blocks, tanagram puzzles, large foam dice, counting bears, measuring spoons and cups,for your toddler to play with. Allow your toddler to scoop rice from one bowl to another using a measuring cup. Ask your toddler to build a tall tower with the blocks or sort the blocks by color. Have your toddler throw foam dice into a basket or bucket.
English or Literature Time
Provide your toddler with an array of board books that keep her interest. You may want to provide a special place with a chair her size and a box of books for her to explore during this time. If you are teaching one of your children to read, allow him to read to your toddler. This will keep your toddler engaged while reinforcing reading skills with your other child.
Science Time
This can be tricky since many labs contain hazardous items for one so young. If this is the case you may want to do your labs during your toddler’s naptime to ensure her safety. However, if you are using safe items, then include your toddler. Allow her to have her own mini lab and supplies to “experiment” with while your older students are doing their labs. Water play will keep a toddler’s interest for quite a while. You may have to adjust where you do science, but the ease in getting through class with a busy toddler may be worth the change.
Include Older Children in your Toddler’s Day
For large families, it’s a nice idea to allow your children to help one another during times you need to give a child one-on-one attention. For instance, while you are explaining long division to one child, allow your other child to play blocks for a few minutes with your toddler. This will give your other student a small break and keep your toddler engaged in a safe activity. You may also want to allow an older child to “tutor” his sibling in math, while you tend to your toddler. Children often learn quicker from other kids. Also, this gives your older student a chance to play teacher and reinforce past lessons.
TV and Naptime
If your toddler can sit quietly during a DVD or an age appropriate TV show, then use them during school time. I do not advocate using the TV as a babysitter or to use all day to allow for a smooth school day. Rather, 30 minutes of TV a day will allow you plenty of time to focus your attention on another child.
If your toddler is still taking daily naps, this is a great time to focus on science experiments, lesson presentations, or special projects.
Most importantly, be flexible and accept that your school year will change. This time will teach your other children the importance of adapting to life changes, bonding with their new little sibling, and managing stress.
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