Homeschooling with a toddler - How we get work done
One thing I try to do is spend dedicated one-on-one time with my toddler. Toddlers naturally want to be involved in what everyone else is doing. When their older sibling is receiving attention, they may want that attention, too.
When my toddler gets that attention and love, she’s more willing to play independently for a little while afterward.
I’m not talking about an hour or even necessarily 30 minutes, but if she can play independently for a short period, that gives me an opportunity to focus on my older child.
Of course, this doesn't guarantee uninterrupted school time. Toddlers are unpredictable! But even a few minutes of focused attention can help us get some work done.
This is something I might do at the beginning of the day or throughout the day between lessons.
Give Your Toddler One-on-One Attention
Getting a child to focus on school, whether in a traditional classroom or at home, can be a challenge. But when you’re homeschooling an older child with a little one around who wants to jump, play, participate in everything, and be the center of attention, the difficulty level goes up a thousand!
I’ve been homeschooling my second grader while caring for my two-year-old, and it definitely has its challenges. However, we’re still able to get through a day of homeschooling successfully.
I want to share some practical strategies that help me manage homeschooling with a toddler, keep my older child learning, and make our days a little more peaceful.
These aren’t complicated routines or elaborate activities. They’re simple things I try throughout the day to help our homeschool work for our family.
Incorporate lessons into mealtimes
Let your toddler participate in "schoolwork"
Have you ever noticed that your toddler suddenly wants whatever their older sibling has?
Sometimes, my toddler sees her big brother sitting down to do handwriting or another activity and wants to join in.
I have a few dry-erase workbooks for letters and numbers. She isn’t quite ready to write them yet, but she enjoys doodling and feeling like she’s doing schoolwork, too. Most of the doodling ends up on her body, but thankfully it's an easy clean up!
While my son works at the dining table, I set her up at her kiddie table nearby or at the kitchen island. Sometimes, I sit beside her, and other times, she works on her own for a little while.
Nap time is a wonderful opportunity to focus on lessons that require more attention.
When my toddler naps, I can spend uninterrupted time with my second grader and work on subjects that are harder to complete when my little one is awake.
However, we're gradually moving away from regular naps, so I can't always rely on this time. Despite that, I know my homeschool days aren't doomed, and rely on the other strategies to get through the day.
Use educational videos when necessary
Sometimes, none of my usual strategies work.
My toddler wants to be held, my second grader needs help, and I'm trying to figure out how to get through a lesson with everyone happy.
On days like this, I resort to screen time and turn on Super Simple Songs, Super Simple Songs with Caitie, or videos from other educational channels.
I might put something on my phone, TV, or computer to keep my toddler occupied while I work with my second grader.
I don't expect every homeschool day to be screen-free, and I don't believe every moment has to be perfectly planned. Sometimes, using an appropriate video is a practical way to help our day move forward.
Give Yourself Permission to Change the Plan
Perhaps the biggest lesson I've learned from homeschooling with a toddler is that flexibility is essential.
Some days, everything comes together. We complete our lessons, my toddler plays happily, and our routine works beautifully.
Other days, we barely get started before someone needs something.
Sometimes, I have to stop the lesson, comfort my toddler, give everyone a break, or regroup before we try again. And sometimes, we simply don't finish everything I planned.
That's okay.
Homeschooling with young children means balancing different needs, different stages of development, and different expectations. It isn't always possible to follow a schedule perfectly, and trying to force it can make the day harder for everyone.
I've learned to celebrate the days that go smoothly without expecting every day to be the same.
Most importantly, I remind myself that both of my children are learning and growing, even when our day doesn't look exactly as I imagined.
Another thing I do is work on lessons while we’re eating breakfast or lunch together at the table. When my toddler is occupied with eating, I can sometimes squeeze in a little schoolwork with my second grader.
Most times we're able to complete a full language arts lesson, discuss something we learned in a previous lesson, or other times we might get through listening to a podcast.
Sometimes, a snack or a popsicle can help my toddler stay occupied while we finish a short activity or lesson.
Set up simple toddler activity stations
One of my favorite strategies is setting up a simple activity station for my toddler.
These don't have to be elaborate sensory bins or Pinterest-worthy activities. Sometimes, the simplest ideas are enough to keep little hands busy for a few minutes.
Some days, I put a water splash mat on the floor with a container of water and a few toys for her to explore and play with. Other days, I lay down a picnic blanket and give her a bowl of rice with toys, kinetic sand with dinosaur toys, or homemade Play-Doh.
These activities may buy me 10 to 15 minutes on a good day, although sometimes my toddler wants me to play alongside her. It's a give and take, but that's part of the process, too.
Accept that some days require flexibility
There are times when none of these strategies work, and I simply have to hold my toddler, bounce her, or comfort her while trying to get through an activity with my older child.
That’s just how it goes sometimes!
Take Advantage of Nap Time When It Happens
If you're a homeschool mom navigating the same season, give yourself some grace. You don't have to recreate a traditional classroom in your home, and you don't have to make every day perfect.
Keep showing up, make adjustments when you need to, and celebrate the progress your children make along the way.
A successful homeschool day isn't necessarily one where you finish every lesson. Sometimes, it's simply a day when your children learn something new, feel loved, and grow together.
And that is something worth celebrating.
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Hi, I'm Christal!
I'm a SAHM of 2 amazing kids, and I'm passionate about learning and sharing my experiences as a homeschool mom, homemaker, and home baker. If even one of my stories brings value to your life, this entire blog is worth it! Thanks for dropping by!
