If you have multiple children at home during the day, particularly those too young for school, you may find yourself wondering how to keep toddlers and preschool-aged children occupied while you work with older students. Keeping an older child on task and learning has its own set of challenges, and a toddler tugging at your sleeve with requests for attention doesn’t make it easier. But with a little planning, preparation, and patience, you can keep younger children busy, learning, and having fun during school time.

Focus on the youngest first

Spend time with your younger child in the morning, before starting school for the day. Beginning the day by reading or playing with them for a few minutes can help your little one cope with not having your undivided attention for the whole day.

Involve them in lessons

Involve your little ones in some of your school activities. Art and Music are subjects that preschoolers and toddlers can enjoy along with their older siblings. If you have students in early elementary, print out extra copies of coloring-type worksheets and allow younger kids to work on them. They’ll feel important and involved when they’re “doing school” alongside big brother or sister.

Provide special activities

Put together a box of toys, puzzles, play-doh, coloring and activity books, and other fun items. Make sure that this box is only available during school time, and replenish it periodically with new activities to keep it interesting (try a dollar store for inexpensive options).

Provide books

Make sure books and audio books are always available to kids, and have older students practice their reading skills by reading to a younger sibling. Download the K12 Read Aloud Classics app for storytime, anytime.

Reward good behavior

Praise and thank your child on days when he or she plays independently, and waits for your attention, instead of interrupting. A sticker chart might be a good way to encourage this type of behavior, with a small reward at the end of the day or week if the child has earned it.

Be flexible

Everyone has bad days, and your youngest will too. Your child won’t always be interested in the activities you provide and may be more demanding on some days than others. Be patient, and remember that the flexibility of online schooling is one of the many advantages! It’s ok to rearrange your schedule. Catch up from an unproductive day on the weekend or in the evening, or hold off on a lesson until your younger child goes down for a nap. Remember that the toddler years are fleeting and before you know it they’ll be in school too!

Get help

For uninterrupted school time, consider enrolling younger siblings in preschool a few days a week. Or, schedule a playdate at a friend’s house, so you can have uninterrupted time for lessons. If you know a family with older children who also learn at home, consider hiring one to come over as a “mother’s helper” once in a while.

Learn through play!

Many activities toddlers and preschoolers love are also wonderfully educational! Create opportunities for your child to learn and have fun by providing some of these activities.

• Creative play: Coloring, cutting, painting, drawing, stamping, tracing, and more! These activities can keep your child busy and learning for hours, and encourage creativity too!
• Fine motor play: Strong fine motor skills are foundational for future handwriting skills. Plus, the activities that develop them are fun, and can be practiced with materials you probably already have lying around! Lacing and beading, using tongs, tweezers, or clothespins, and playing with nuts and bolts are simple and fun activities for developing these important skills.
• Sensory play: This one can get a bit messy, but sensory play is such a wonderful way for toddlers to explore! Sand and water play, play-doh, slime or gak, dry rice and beans, bubbles! Sensory play stimulates the senses and gives kids hands-on learning opportunities as they explore new materials and textures.
• Pretend play: Dress up and pretend play nurture children’s imagination and help to build important skills. By playing a role and pretending to be someone or something else, children develop social and emotional skills, problem solving and language skills.
• Discovery Boxes: These boxes are simple to put together; just collect an assortment of natural and found objects for children to explore. Discovery boxes encourage “heuristic play,” or opportunities for children to explore objects without adult intervention.  Manipulating these objects nurture cognitive skills, hand-eye coordination, and concentration in young children.
• Be sure to visit our Pinterest board where we have MANY more ideas for keeping young children busy, learning, and having fun!

What are your favorite strategies for teaching with a toddler in tow? Share with us in the comments!

Related Links

• Pinterest: Activities for Little Ones
• Simple Homeschool: 5 Tips to Occupy Your Toddler While Homeschooling
• Life As Mom: Homeschooling with Little Ones