Challenges and strategies for homeschooling with babies and toddlers, including not seeing them as distractions, handling fussy toddlers, and tips for doing less. Also discusses the benefits of co-op homeschooling and the positive influence of babies and toddlers in the homeschooling journey.
Babies and toddlers are not a distraction to homeschooling, but an opportunity for growth and learning for both age groups.
Prioritizing foundational skills like reading, writing, and math is crucial for homeschooling success and independent learning.
Establishing a structured routine with clear expectations and boundaries benefits homeschooling with babies and toddlers.
Deep dives
Homeschooling with Babies and Toddlers
Homeschooling with babies and toddlers can be challenging, but there are practical strategies to help navigate this season. It is important to remember that babies and toddlers are not a distraction to homeschooling, but rather an opportunity for growth and learning for both the older and younger children. While it may seem difficult to juggle the needs of different age groups, creating a schedule that includes one-on-one time with the older children, independent work for the older children, and opportunities for the younger children to be involved can help in finding a balance. Additionally, seeking support through local homeschooling communities or co-ops can provide valuable interaction and accountability.
Value of Reading, Writing, and Math
Focusing on the foundational skills of reading, writing, and math is key to homeschooling success. These skills serve as the building blocks for learning in all other subject areas. By prioritizing these skills, students develop the ability to read, comprehend, think critically, and express their thoughts effectively. This approach allows for flexibility and exploration in other content subjects such as history and science. The emphasis on these core skills empowers students to become independent learners and prepares them for success in higher levels of education.
The Importance of Creating a Structured Routine
Establishing a structured routine can greatly benefit homeschooling with babies and toddlers. Using tools like spiral notebooks to write down daily tasks and goals allows for better organization and independent work. Clearly outlining expectations for the day provides a sense of direction and reduces reliance on the homeschooling parent. This also fosters autonomy and time management skills in older children. Moreover, setting boundaries and implementing rules, such as no screens until certain tasks are completed, can help maintain focus and discipline throughout the day.
Encouraging Independence and Decision-Making
The speaker shares a personal anecdote about her daughter learning to drive and how her driving improved once she had to make decisions on her own without constant guidance. This story serves as a metaphor for homeschooling, highlighting the importance of allowing children to make decisions and face challenges in order to develop necessary skills and resilience for the future.
Practical Tips for Homeschooling with Toddlers
The speaker provides practical tips for homeschooling with toddlers. She suggests filling up their 'love buckets' by spending quality time with them before starting the school day. She also recommends creating special activity bins or designated times for toddlers to engage in independent play during specific parts of the school day. Additionally, the speaker acknowledges the potential use of screens during homeschooling but emphasizes the importance of using them mindfully and scheduling them with intention to avoid frustration and guilt.
Today, I’m sharing another session from the Great Homeschool Conventions in 2023 all about homeschooling with babies and toddlers.
If you are homeschooling with babies and toddlers underfoot, this one's for you. Or if you have a friend who is homeschool with babies and toddlers, this one's for her, so please share it!
Full disclosure: My favorite part about going to the Great Homeschool Conventions is all the babies I get to snuggle and hold. So I created a session that would ensure I got maximum baby snuggles. This session was so much fun because the room was absolutely packed with babies and toddlers and there is something just next-level about being in a room with so much life. I LOVED it.
In this session, I talked about the lessons I learned from homeschooling with my own babies and toddlers underfoot, and strategies for not just surviving this time, but enjoying it, too.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
Why your babies and toddlers are not a distraction
Three strategies for handling fussy, grabby toddlers in your homeschool
