Homeschooling with Young Children

For many homeschooling families there are children of different ages all needing their parent's time and attention. That can cause problems when trying to teach an older child and keep a younger child entertained. Preschoolers and toddlers that still require lots of energy from their parents can be distracting, but with a little creativity and a lot of patience you can find a way to work everyone's unique needs into a harmonious day.

If your younger child seems to be always underfoot while you are trying to teach your older child creating a separate play space for your younger child may be the perfect solution. Set up an area custom made for your younger child to play in however he or she wishes. You do not necessarily need a large space, the corner of a room or underneath the kitchen table can be used to your advantage. Decorate the area with pictures, scarves, old curtains, and anything else that your younger child will love. Choose just a few toys and books that can be set on low open shelves, in small boxes, or in easy to carry baskets. This not only makes the area easier to manage it also helps your younger children be able to find specific toys easily on their own. Try not to choose toys that will be too stimulating or will require your constant help. Pretend toys such as puppets, dolls, a doll house, or dress-up clothing works great for this purpose. How ever you set it up keep the area in a specific and consistent location to help build a routine. Help your younger child to transition into their special play time while you work with your older children at the same time each day and in the same location, this will help your younger children deal with the time easier.