The Stay-at-Homeschooling Mom Podcast
Education
Let’s face it; homeschooling with a toddler around can challenge learning and Mom’s sanity. Little people don’t care much about order, method, or quiet; they want to explore, move around, and touch everything—all perfectly appropriate but completely distracting to your homeschool day.
Ginny and Mary Ellen have run this drill thousands of times and have learned how to turn this challenge into an enriching, family-focused triumph for toddler, siblings, and mom. Now, they want to share these nuggets of practical advice with you.
Toddlers Defined
Typically, toddlers are children ages one to four who are independently mobile; that is to say, they can toddle around, pulling things down upon their sweet little heads and tossing objects willy-nilly everywhere. This is called independent mobility.
Acceptance is Key
The key to a peaceful homeschool when you have toddlers is to accept it’s not going to be peaceful. It may be chaotic and messy. There is not much you can do, but here are some suggestions.
Revolving Kids – The Game for Larger Families
Start by giving toddlers something to keep them busy. Then, work with your K-2 students. Their work goes quickly. If toddlers start to drive you up the wall – send in an older child to keep them busy. Rotate older kids in and out to play as they finish their work. This activity is good for the little guys and teaches the older children to be responsible.
High-chair-age children can be given colored construction paper, a small plastic cup of water, and a paintbrush and told to paint. Older children can sit in a blow-up kiddie pool. I buy these at the end of the summer for about five dollars. They store easily (just deflate), and the little ones love to sit there and play.
Ideas for Young Toddlers
Ideas for Older Toddlers
Toddler School - I also found it extremely helpful for older toddlers to have their own school box and work. They could only join us at the table if they would “work” quietly.
Use nap times, evenings, and weekends when you have an extra pair of hands. If this is a possibility, consider hiring help.
BONUS: Accept that somedays none of this works, not much work will get done, and that’s ok.
How to Build Up Your Child’s Self-Confidence (without creating an egomaniac)
To Learn Online or Not – That's the Question
Answering the Nursing Call to Duty with Dr. Maura Wenzel
The Remarkable and Increasing Value of a Liberal Arts Education - Interview w/ Michael Yost
Let's All Keep Chickens! - Interview w/ Dalia Monterroso
How to Homeschool and Not Lose Your Mind (PART II)
How to Homeschool and Not Lose Your Mind (PART I)
Five Things You Should Know About Homeschooling a Child with Special Needs (And a Big Announcement About the Podcast)
Super J and the Power of Love
Fr. Jeffrey Kirby, STD - Spiritual Direction for the Homeschooling Mom
Teaching music in the home (for the non-musical mom)
Exploring the Lives of the Saints in Our Homeschools
Emily Malloy, Theology of Home IV: Arranging the Seasons
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Roadblocks to Homeschooling: The S word - Socialization
Fr. Ken Geraci - Spiritual Warfare and Divine Mercy
Teaching Homeschoolers the Secrets of Time Management
Unbreakable, Saints Who Inspired Saints to Moral Courage - by Kimberly Begg
Homeschooling’s Flexibility - Providing Stability in Changing Times - Interview with Arlena Brown
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