schooling with younger siblings.
One of the TOP questions I get:
"What do you do with younger siblings while you homeschool the other kids?"
my best advice.
Involve the younger siblings in the entire school day.
While every family is different and every kid is different, my advice for the younger siblings that aren't school-aged, is to STILL involve them in the schooling. This may seem like extra work at first, but I've found that when the littles think they are "going to school" too, they feel "big" and more willing to go-with-the-flow.
That does not mean younger siblings are sitting at a desk/table attempting to do things they are not capable of. Rather, their involvement and learning throughout the school day changes as the big kid activities/subjects change.
Whether we realize it or not, the younger siblings are like sponges. No matter what age they are, they are soaking up everything that's going on around them. This includes the learning that's going on around them too. When you're doing a read aloud or learning with a picture book, etc. instead of putting an iPad in their hands or a TV in front of them, this is the PERFECT time to have them sitting at the table with everyone, working on a quiet "table activity". While their hands are busy with something quiet, they're still hearing language, vocabulary, grammar, and more - simply sitting with you all. There will be other times of the school day however, that you need focused one-on-one time with someone, so during that time you can utilize their "independent activities".
I've categorized our younger sibling "activities" into four groups. While these activities work for our family, hopefully they can at least act as a guide in helping you find what can work for yours.
table activities.
You want to choose activities that are fun, can be done independently and quietly while sitting at the table with everyone. We typically do "table activities" while I'm doing a read aloud, teaching a history lesson, using picture books, etc. This way, if the younger sibling hears something that sparks their interest, they are right there to look at the picture or learn something new.
here are some of the activities we love for this time:
independent activities.
These activities need to be fun, keep their attention, and worked on independently. We utilize "independent activities" when I need to work with the older kids without distractions or give on-on-one help.
here are some of our favorites for this time of the school day:
2: magnatiles
3: playstix
learning activities.
Depending on the age and level of your younger sibling(s), it's fun to throw in some learning activities for them to "do school" too! I've found that my older kids want to help the younger siblings with these, so when they need a little break from their own work, I "let them" help with these activities. Double win. Both kids involved are learning, cooperating, teaching, gaining independence, and more.
When choosing your "learning activities, you want to be sure they're appropriate for the age/level your kids are at. This would not benefit your school day if the younger sibling got discouraged, frustrated, upset - you get the idea. Keep it simple, keep it fun.
here are some we've enjoyed teaching and learning during this time:
station activities.
I saved the best for last.
Before you think I'm absolutely nuts, hear me out. These "station activities" would be a DISASTER if you handed them to your littles and let them go crazy without supervision. However, if you are able to setup a table right next to you (ideally within arms reach) these activities are by far my kids' favorites. Surprisingly enough, these activities are the quietest for our family too! While the younger siblings are occupied with their stations, the older kids can quietly work on independent work, writing, math, etc. with less distractions.
I know SO many friends strongly dislike sand, play dough, and slime. BUT, I have some tricks and tips for you. I am not usually a "brand" person because I like to find the best deal; however, in the case of sand, play dough and slime, you NEED these brands. (and no, this is not a sponsored post!)
- Kinetic sand is the best. It sticks together and doesn't end up everywhere as if it was glitter.
- Tutti Frutti play dough is non-toxic, smells amazing, does NOT crumble, and the best part? if it starts to get dry, you can add a drop of water in it and it rehydrates itself.
- Crazy Aaron's Thinking Putty is known as slime around our house, but it's not gross slime - it's "putty". It's great quality, feels smooth not sticky, gives little hands a good workout, and is just plain fun.
Another tip.
For activities that could get messy, limit the amount you allow them to play with at once. For example, when my kids want to play with play dough, they choose one color at a time. When they're done with that color, they put it away and get out another color. This limits the chance of ending up with play dough everywhere or mixing all the colors into one nasty brown color.
here are some of their absolute favorites during this time:
2: sand toys
3: kinetic sand
7: books on cd
I hope these lists of activities give you some ideas and tangible ways your younger ones can be involved in the school day! I'd love to hear what works best for you.
xo cheryl
