Comments on: Homeschool Hubbub: What to Do With Little Ones During School Time

By: Jenn @ Beautiful Calling

Jenn @ Beautiful Calling — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 02:10:25 +0000

Chloe just turned 3 and John is 18 months. Right now Chloe does 1 hour of “school” in the mornings at the table and John has “blanket time” with some books and a few small toys.

Because they are onl 18 months apart, I expect that by the time we are ready to do “real” school, John will probably want to join along.

I was thrilled to read about how others do it since I never know if and when the next little one will arrive :)

By: Abundantly Loved

Abundantly Loved — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 02:00:35 +0000

Thanks for the great tips! My husband and I are missionaries in Bolivia and we have a one year who I am constantly trying to find new creative ideas to keep her busy. Unfortunately, most of the ideas I have come up with involve making a big mess! I would like to homeschool her when she old enough and I imagine we’ll have more little ones by then too. I’ll keep these ideas in store until she’s a little older :)

By: Janet

Janet — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 22:33:47 +0000

This is such a great post – your ideas, Laura, combined with your readers’ will be a wonderful resource that I wish I had had back in the day! I have six children, and my youngest is thirteen, but I still remember well many of the things I did when I had babies and toddlers. Some readers spoke of schedules, and not feeling tied to them, and I couldn’t agree more! But I strongly encourage every mom who is frustrated and worried about not covering what she thinks she should to try using a schedule, flexibly, for awhile. If the schedule helps me stay on track 3 days out of 5, even if it wasn’t perfectly followed for even those three days, then it helped me get more done. More importantly than helping me not overlook anyTHING, a schedule helped me make sure I wasn’t overlooking anyONE. I scheduled in “play blocks with the baby” and considered it just as important as math with the 10th grader. I also taught lots of lessons while nursing, and quite a few while changing diapers! In addition to joining us for lots of read-alouds and activities, and continuing quiet time after they outgrew naps, my preschoolers were scheduled as to when they could play with their special “school-time” toys, to do simple chores during the school day (that I had already taught them to do), and I scheduled one 1/2 hr TV show each day – Mr. Rogers. The two most important things scheduling the babies and preschoolers did for me were filling their emotional tanks regularly, and providing a predictable structure for them. Even if their scheduled activity took only 5 minutes out of the 30 it was scheduled for, it provided a marker for them throughout the day which caused them to usually be content playing for that other 25 minutes, knowing that it wouldn’t be long before everyone would interact and shift activities.
One more thing about a schedule: when you have babies and toddlers, expect the schedule to change regularly. Anytime they shift feeding schedules or nap schedules or start potty training or someone starts a class (outside the home), everything will change. It doesn’t mean you failed at “following the schedule;” it means that schedule won’t work for you anymore.

By: Sonshine

Sonshine — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:59:24 +0000

Laura,

Great list of ideas!

In the 11 years that I have been homeschooling, I have always had a little one to deal with along with big kids. It was a struggle some days but we just worked on school during naps. I have worked with my older ones to be patient or to help each other if they are struggling and I am not available to help. I also have taught my older ones towards being self-learners in some subjects and that has taken some of the strain off and being able to complete a day of school.

Two years ago, I did a series on my blog “Homeschooling with Little Ones” and I took the time to explain some of my methods of homeschooling with little ones through explaining some of what I do with my preschooler/kindergarten age children. :)

Here is a link to that series: http://glimpseofsonshine.blogspot.com/search/label/Little%20Ones%20Series

By: Dawn

Dawn — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:44:48 +0000

Hey Laura!
Great response. I am always at a loss when people ask me this question. I guess because I never try to get my littles to “do” something while we are schooling. They are just a part of our day and I am needed by them as much as everyone else. I have 10 children total, but my last 7 were born in 9 yrs. So I have had lots of yrs with toddlers and babies around! LOL!! I quit trying to have them entertained elsewhere. They either sit on my lap, play with toys, or listen along.
Thanks for such a practical and REAL answer to a question that perplexes so many moms. Dawn

By: Travelin Pilgrim

Travelin Pilgrim — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 20:26:30 +0000

Rug time is such a great idea for children from 1yr on up. I have a four year old and I thank God for Playdough! She is only allowed to play with it during school time. She has her own little table and because it is something “new”, she plays with it for a much longer time.

By: Julie H

Julie H — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 20:01:02 +0000

I will check back to read all the responses (since I have a 21-month-old). :) Lately we have been able to occupy her at the table with play-doh, crayons and paper, and more recently, our new felt board. I made cut-outs for her to attach and she loves it. She’s also a big fan of our dry-erase board…just wish she didn’t write on our walls and hardwood floor with the markers. lol She also enjoys building with blocks and transferring objects between 2 containers. Thanks for the input!

By: Marsha_M

Marsha_M — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 19:13:14 +0000

My parents had an ACE school for years and I graduated out of it.
It is a valid complaint that ACE introduces concepts later than other
curriculum but you get a solid foundation because there is a lot of
review. One of it’s strengths is that the below average kid can
keep up with this curriculum and the average kid will excel.

I was one of several in my small school who went through ACE and
had no problems completing college degrees later. We also always
tested high on achievement tests.

Alpha/Omega is the same concept of curriculum by some of the people that
left ACE.

By: emily green

emily green — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 18:19:05 +0000

hi laura,
i have “lurked” on your blog for so long and have gleaned so much encouragement and so many great ideas. thank you!! i thought it was time that i introduce myself. =) thanks for sharing all that you do …
emily

By: Jodie

Jodie — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 17:55:13 +0000

oops, it counted the “)” as being part of the address, take that out and the link should work