I am a homeschool mom and I also have 2 preschoolers. Okay, here is the problem...I am finding it very difficult to keep the preschooler occupied while homeschooling the school age children. They want to the same thing as the older children and tend to distract the older from being able to focus on their school work. What are some ideas that I can try to keep the little bug-a-boos busy?
2006-09-30 07:08:48 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Home Schooling
Do not worry about negative comments, as this it a totally do-able situation! :)
When I first began hs with my oldest, my youngest was two, plus last year I babysat a two year old, so I do have a few tricks. :)
My main suggestion to you would be variety. I had a selection of toys, activities and other things that were only for "school time." These things did not come out at any other time. Then, I had several sets of things to do.
For example, I had two boxes of toys just for school time that I could switch out. Then I had a variety of tot crafts for school. I also had puzzles, coloring books, and even a couple of DVD's as special treats. All of these things were totally off limits all other times, except school.
The key to success was always variety. One box of toys one day, a puzzle the next, so on and so forth.
I also had a little tot sized desk in my office that I stuffed with tot friendly stuff: safety scissors, glue sticks (they gotta have fun, too!) crayons, washable markers, stamps, tons of paper, magazines to cut on, things like that.
I would use their nap times for subjects that required me to be hands on with my older ones.
With all of this, I rarely had a problem, but sometimes I would find myself with a cranky tot and an older child needing my attention. At those times, it was off to the library to study. Sometimes all it takes is a change of scenery.
good luck, hon!
2006-09-30 08:17:50 · answer #1 · answered by Terri 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
What about having school while the preschoolers are napping? Is there a possibility of putting the preschoolers to bed earlier than the older children so you can do school work with out distractions? Maybe a play group for the preschoolers??? Have a preschool size table for them in the same room with activities for them to do while you are teaching the others. They can learn to sit and be quiet this way at least for a short time. Just some random thoughts.
2006-09-30 07:19:33 · answer #2 · answered by Tatochka 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are definitely preschool workbooks available out there or even worksheets available online. I'd say find their own work or try to include them in some way. If you're doing math with the older ones, give them number sheets to colour or things up to 10 to count. If you're doing reading with the older ones, have the little ones colour alphabet sheets or play with an alphabet puzzle or try to find all the things they can in the house that start with a particular sound. If you're doing a science experiment, have them fetch things for you.
There's no reason they shouldn't be a part of things, too!
Another option is to have one of the older children keep the preschoolers busy while you work with whoever's left. Then switch.
2006-09-30 07:44:33 · answer #3 · answered by glurpy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Good lord -- how many children are you trying to homeschool at the same time? I am a HUGE advocate of homeschooling, but not with multiple children at the same time - and this is a prime example. There are very likely other homeschoolers in your neighborhood/city, and I bet there's an older one who would like to earn some money. See if you can find a daytime "nanny" or just let the little ones go to preschool for a half day each day so that you can take care of the older kids' studies.
2006-09-30 07:21:37 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
Homeschooling dad here...
We have five children. Mom is primary homeschooler. One is nursed, two are K-5, (although ages 4 & 5) the other finishing 2nd grade. Hey that is four. Oh yes, the reason I answered your question is because of the "Terrific" two year-old. This is the one that is busy and interrupts. Solution: "Welcome one-welcome all" We put them all in uniforms (sounds crazy, I know) Each understand and are learning to respect school times. Uniforms on, means it is time for school. The two year old actually participates. We have coloring sheets and other papers to fill in. She has her folder, just like the others. She is the runner. (Helping mommy getting the math folder (learning to recognize colors) The math folder is blue) She is the object lesson. She is an illustrated sermon. All of that energy can not be wasted in front of a t.v. Channel it. She helps set the table for lunch. She becomes and integral part of the family, again. Wow! So many life lessons. This is why home-schoolers rules.
Yes it gets challenging. But it is worth it a thousand times over.
Be blessed.
BTW-I'm an administrator at a private school, and my children outperform all of their counterparts in my school on social behavior, academia and common sense.
2006-09-30 12:40:47 · answer #5 · answered by Wise ol' owl 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I was there just a few years ago. Stick with it. One thing you can do is plan "lessons" for the preschoolers. Explain to them that the older children need quiet to get work done so they need to do their "work" quietly also. Learn to make home made play-dough, slime or anything to keep little hands busy. Print up some worksheets from the web. Make up a "school supply" box for them to use only during school. Let them play school.
Please do not listen to all the nah-sayers. Homeschooling is very positive, even when it is challenging for us parents.
2006-09-30 10:01:04 · answer #6 · answered by MomOfThree 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why not try putting them in a preschool until school age then you homeschool all of them when they are a little older and have more patience. Or find a book about projects for preschoolers I've seen them at the bookstores.
2006-09-30 07:17:39 · answer #7 · answered by Katie Girl 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋
While you seem to have a preference of homeschooling, maybe putting the little ones in a preschool would help for the following reasons:
1. allows you to focus on homeschooling the older kids
2. will teach the little ones some socialization skills that are easiest to learn by being around their peers.
2006-09-30 07:13:18 · answer #8 · answered by Stef 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Find some workbooks for them. They don't have to be anything hard, just mostly coloring or puzzle books would be okay. Look in bookstores and you can find all sorts of workbooks for little kids!
I think it's sweet that they want to do school too, just like the big kids!
2006-09-30 07:16:14 · answer #9 · answered by Terisu 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Here are about 25 ideas for you from a homeschooling mother, hope it helps: http://www.homeschoolhighlights.com/01_preschoolers/
Best of luck to you~
2006-09-30 07:55:50 · answer #10 · answered by FreeThinker 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋