Homeschooling with a Toddler: Chaos and Creativity Combined
Toddlers create unending mess, chaos and tantrums. They love to assert their authority on any subject and tend to think they know best! We survive these years due to their adorableness, cuteness, and endless hugs and kisses. You can tell them off one minute and the next minute they are declaring their undeniable love for you.
Homeschooling with a toddler can be a delightful yet challenging experience. Balancing the demands of older children's needs with the very energetic demands of a young child requires some creativity!
Here are some practical tips on how to homeschool with a toddler without completely losing your mind.
1. Establish a Toddler-Friendly Routine
As we all know, toddlers can be unpredictable. Then you add in potty training, transitioning out of day sleeps, tantrums and their constant need to assert their opinions on everything and anything, and you have a kaleidoscope constantly changing the patterns and it's impossible to keep up!
If you have read any of my other articles, you would see that I am always harping on about block scheduling. This works well when you have a toddler. You need a routine, not a timetable. A consistent routine is essential when homeschooling with a toddler. Try to align your toddler's nap times with focused schoolwork sessions for your older children. This quiet time is perfect for tackling more demanding subjects like math or science. You need to be flexible and ready to adapt for when those unexpected moments arise and your attention is diverted to the toddler, and the toddler alone.
2. Create Toddler-Friendly Learning Spaces
When homeschooling the last thing you want is to find a beautifully handwritten story drawn all over with crayons. Or maybe they have gotten into those expensive paints you bought for the teen's art project. I once made the mistake of putting some acrylic paints into our cubby house. Three little kids got into the paints and decided to cover their bodies in this paint - almost from head to toe! Needless to say, it took a very long time to wash it off!
So, designate a safe, engaging area where your toddler can play while you homeschool. Fill it with age-appropriate toys, books, and sensory activities. Rotate the toys regularly to keep it interesting. Sometimes, a playpen can be useful for a short period of time. Or even a portacot set up in the main area of the house with lots of toys to play with. Even if it gives you only 10 - 15mins to spend with another child, it is still helpful.
Our Activity Room
We have space for littlies to play, older kids to read and study and storage for homeschool supplies.
3. Use Educational Activities for Toddlers
Over the years I have gradually collected little boxes of toys for the toddlers. These are easily rotated through the week.
Once they are past the age of putting everything in their mouth, I invested in a desk from Ikea and gave the little one sensory activities. They loved 'search and find' activities, and play with uncooked rice, or sand. It makes a mess but is so worth it to be able to give me some peace to be able to work with another child. Activities like colouring, building blocks, and sorting games can also keep your toddler engaged and even provide early learning opportunities.
4. Involve Toddlers in Homeschool Activities
Whenever possible, include your toddler in homeschooling activities. Simple tasks like handing out papers, holding flashcards, or participating in songs and rhymes can make them feel included and entertained.
Sometimes, they just want to be with you. Get used to having a little one on your lap as you teach. Find interesting little toys they can play with at the table while they sit on your lap.
Even spending time with them as they help you do quick household tasks can help them to get the attention they need. Pulling washing out of the machine, sitting at your feet as you cook, or 'helping' by putting clean washing into the sorting basket. Our mundane tasks become their fun tasks. They will be happy to do anything if it means spending time with you.
This child would always end up at my feet!
5. Take Advantage of Nap Times
Nap times are golden opportunities for uninterrupted teaching. The older children also enjoy the quiet house when the littlies nap. Use these quiet periods for either more intensive teaching or just to enjoy the peace and everyone rest and do some silent reading.
6. Be Flexible and Adaptable
Flexibility is crucial when homeschooling with a toddler. Be prepared to adapt your schedule as needed. If your toddler is having a rough day, it’s okay to adjust your plans and shift some schoolwork to later in the day or the next day. Take schoolwork to the park, or the back yard. Or in a cubby or on the beanbag. Go on a nature walk or go to the library. Be ready to adapt and not stress about it, they won't be toddlers forever.
7. Encourage Independent Learning
Encourage your older children to work independently when possible. This fosters self-reliance and gives you some breathing room to attend to your toddler's needs. Every year each child should gradually be taking on more independent work. By high school age they should be mostly independent. This is a gradual process that takes time, and some will take longer than others. Every lesson doesn't need 100% supervision.
8. Include Physical Activities
Toddlers need to burn off energy, so include physical activities in your daily routine. Short breaks for dancing, jumping, or playing outside can help keep your toddler happy and reduce interruptions during lessons. A quick play outside before the day begins. A play outside with the older kids at morning tea. Then again at lunch. They certainly can't be expected to sit and play quietly all day while you teach the other kids.
9. Assign Sibling Helpers
An older child could take a toddler off for a brief activity even just once a day. A quick play outside pushing on the swing or blowing bubbles together. Or drawing on the pavement with chalk. Or painting with water on the driveway. Once they can read, an older chid can also practise reading aloud to the toddler. Obviously, you want to limit the time you expect the older child to 'babysit' because they do have their own work to do, but a short 10mins here and there will help you immensely.
10. Give Yourself Grace
Finally, be kind to yourself. Homeschooling with a toddler is a significant undertaking, and it’s normal for things not to go perfectly. Celebrate your successes, learn from the challenges, and remember that it is a season that won't last forever.
Be Creative and Avoid Total Chaos!
By incorporating these tips on how to homeschool with a toddler, you can create a balanced and effective homeschooling environment. Be creative with your ideas and expect a little chaos. With some planning and adaptability, you can meet the educational needs of your older children while keeping your toddler happy and engaged . . . most of the time . . .