Homeschooling with Babies and Toddlers

Homeschooling moms of preschoolers often ask about coping with babies and toddlers while teaching older children.


This is an article I wrote for The Learning Home, June 2004, a quarterly magazine published by the Cape Home Educators’ Association.

Almost miraculously, I discovered, on the internet, articles about homeschooling with little ones, written by a mom of six children. I realised that if others could manage, then believing that this was God’s will for our family, I would manage too.

Within a month of starting homeschooling in the last part of Meghan’s pre-school year, I fell pregnant and my first baby was born half way through her first formal year (Grade 1) of homeschool, so for us 'homeschooling with toddlers' is all we know!

I think the first thing to realise (whether you have babies and toddlers or not) is that homeschooling is not 'school at home'. We can be flexible – and with little ones, you just have to be!

In my case, not knowing what sort of experience motherhood would bring, I planned to do as much formal schooling (the 3 R’s) with Meghan, before my baby was born and then allow up to 3 months, if necessary, for us to get into whatever new routine having a baby might require. We would be academically 'relaxed', until such time as we felt ready to resume a more structured schedule.

I felt this would allow Meghan to enjoy time with me and the new baby, which would be a learning experience of a different kind! To my surprise, we were able to continue much the same as usual, as our newborn slept so much of the time. We would usually sit together and do reading on the couch when it was feeding time for Lucy.

Now, after two [update 2005, now three] more babies, I think we need articles which give tips on how to survive homeschooling when you’re pregnant – that was tough!

The other most challenging time is when the little ones can crawl and are mobile, but not yet old enough to play independently …but this stage creeps up on you gradually and you adapt as it happens. At worst, the older child/ren may have to postpone a lesson that requires your undivided attention or no interruptions until a more convenient time, like when the little one is having a nap. This teaches the older children to be patient and considerate too. In our case, Meghan is now old enough to get most of her work done on her own anyway.

It is important to me that our toddlers learn the routines we have in our home and begin to be trained to help with chores around the house from a young age and of course, they should also be stimulated to explore and learn about the world around them, but not at the expense of their play – at this age playing usually is learning.

In our home, to ensure that I did not only concentrate on Meghan’s schooling, I introduced the little ones to a daily Bible study routine using Babies' Bible Class. Later, on we used another Bible-based homeschooling programme for preschoolers, but very loosely and now we use Little Footprints and ABC Fun & 1-2-3.

Lucy is almost six and she is starting the 3 R’s and so often the other two little ones also join us at the table, either with pre-school activities or just scribbling in Kayleigh’s case (almost 2).
However, if the younger two are occupying themselves, I most often leave them be. Their formal years of homeschooling will be here in the blink of an eye, so I give them freedom to play and explore if that is what they choose.
When they become restless or bored, that is the time I will read them a story or bring out educational games and activities that are kept locked away to be used under supervision or as a special 'treat'.

My advice, in a nutshell, with regard to homeschooling with toddlers is to have a relaxed and flexible approach to your school activities, but lay down firm rules of discipline in the home from early on. Instead of wishing away the challenges that little ones present, embrace their presence and delight in their ages and stages.






Looking for more information? Please use the search box below to search the Web or this site.

	Web shirleys-preschool-activities.com