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Our new homeschool year started the 2nd week of August but I am still trying to do different things to see what works. With a new baby homeschooling has to be flexible and then well there’s my wild 2-year-old who does not like to sit still and gets bored quickly. So how do I homeschool my older kids with little ones? Here is what works for us, tips to keep your little ones busy while you homeschool your older children.
1) Find activities for your little ones that they do not see or play with daily.
2) Pull new items weekly and put them in a plastic box with a lid (preferably a box they cannot see through).
3) Keep the box out of sight when not using.
4) Here is how we do it……… My 8-year-old son sits on the floor and does the activities in the Montessori Box with my 2-year-old while I homeschool my preschooler and 1st grader. If we do not have a field trip we start schooling at 10 AM. I sit my preschooler and 1st grader at the table and we homeschool for about an hour while my 8-year-old keeps my 2-year-old busy. I think this method has been great for character building, it is teaching my 8-year-old patience working with a little one. Once my 2-year-old gets antsy then I have my preschooler and 2-year-old play together while I homeschool my 1st grader and 3rd grader.
5) Yes when you have smaller children there will be several interruptions while you homeschool the older children but expect it. No need to worry homeschool while get done it just may take a bit longer.
I am thrifty, I cannot help it so some of the Montessori activities I make myself or find really inexpensive. Some of my examples in the photo above: transfer marbles into ice-cube trays with tongs, add pony beads to vial’s, using an empty pudding container – slit a hole in the lid and use large poker chips to slide through the lid, Pom Pom magnets match up, art project using a poster board and finger paints. Feel free to look around my Montessori tab for all sorts of ideas to do with your little one.
Another fun thing to do is have the older child do an art project with the little one – it can be one like we have done, have the older child trace the younger child while laying on a poster board and then the little one can decorate their outline on the poster board.
How do you homeschool your older children when you have littler ones?
Homeschooling with little ones is hard, you have to be creative and squeeze in work when they nap. I remember those days. Mine are all grown now and I miss those homeschool days. Enjoy!
I always wondered how to homeschool so many of different ages. I have 5 and have always wanted to homeschool but it’s always been confusing to me as to how to do so many at different ages. Great tips you have here.
Those are great ideas! I don’t have littles anymore, but I have an old post with lots of ideas: http://smallworldathome.blogspot.com/2008/06/nov-28-2005-what-to-do-with-little-ones.html
Wow! I really needed this! My hubby was homeschooled and I wish I could do it for kids but I lack all sense of direction, this will help me gather more information to decide if I can do it.
we don’t homeschool but friends do- it takes a lot of patience and creativity!
I would image it is very hard homeschooling with little ones around, their attention span is like a blink of an eye.Great tips listed !
Great ideas! I love that you let your 8 year old help your 2 year old with the activities – I can see how that could help foster a bond and makes your 8 year old feel important and responsible at the same time.
I think it’s great that you’ve put together your own Montessori box. Sometimes homemade is better.