Teaching a 3 year old with a 1 year old around

[jenandrob2003]

Hello everyone,

My son turns 3 at the end of August and I've started preschool at home with him. I was just wondering how families out there with babies manage to homeschool with little ones, such as my other son who will turn one in May. He is very clingy. When I've tried to do activities with my 3 year old, the 1 year old doesn't want to play with the toys I put in front of him. He just wants to be held. I've tried some educational videos, which he likes, but only if I'm watching them with him. It is also hard for the 3 year old to concentrate on an activity when there are videos on because he wants to watch them, too.

Do you all try to cram everything in when the baby is taking a nap (he only naps for an hour in the morning and sometimes one hour in the afternoon)? Or have you found some activities that tend to hold little ones attention? I've also tried to "include" my one year old, but he still puts paper and crayons in his mouth. I'd welcome any suggestions. Right now I'm a human jungle gym for my one year old and I'd like to start gently teaching him some independence.

Many thanks, Jen

[jenntracy]

i would do it while baby is napping. LHTH maybe takes a half hour. sometimes an art project involving painting could take a little longer and why not include the
1 yr old in that :0

Jenn D.

[amysconfections]

You can also do it while the 1 yr old is in the high chair eating a snack. It can just be hard with a one year old. What works to occupy one may not work for another one. This time will pass.

[MomtoJGJE]

I have a carrier (Ergo) that I put the baby on my back if she's not happy playing by herself or with other sisters. If she wants to be in the middle of school then I put her on my back. That way, she can be in the middle of it, but not touching and pulling everything.

[my3sons]

Here are a few great links for thoughts about juggling little ones during homeschooling:
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=198&p=33557
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=4987&p=36744#p36744

There are also some awesome schedules ladies shared that have babies/toddlers in the mix at these lengthy threads:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2093
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=95&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=15

HTH!
In Christ,
Julie

[jenandrob2003]

Many thanks, ladies! I was re-reading my post and I hope I wasn't giving the impression that I don't like being climbed all over. I think it is so sweet that he loves, loves, loves his Mommy. I would like nothing more than to sit on the floor all day and let him crawl away and come back.

Silly question, but how do you attach a signature with your name, etc? This is the first time I've been a part of a board.

Again, so grateful for your suggestions!

Jen
Mother of
Seth 2
Elijah 1

[my3sons]

Silly question, but how do you attach a signature with your name, etc? This is the first time I've been a part of a board.

Again, so grateful for your suggestions!

Jen
Mother of
Seth 2
Elijah 1

Not a silly question at all! At the top of your blue toolbar, just click on "User Control Panel", then click on the "Profile" tab, and last "Edit Signature". You can type in the signature there. You can change it at any time after that as well in the same way.

In Christ,
Julie

[pollo_la]

Yep, I do what others have already mentioned...

1) I also have an ergo carrier that is fantastic to put my little ones in.

2) Put them in a high chair with a snack/activity to occupy them.

3) Include them. My current 2 year old does very well being included and has since she was just over a year old. I just make it clear to her what she can and cannot touch! She knows that I mean what I say, so she won't try to take what isn't hers.

4) Use nap time. When my oldest was 3 we did LHTH while her baby sister was napping.

[Tracee]

Hi Jen. As you can see from my signature line, I had a 3 year old and (2) one year olds, and honestly, I didn't do a whole lot of school stuff when he was 3. I taught him the alphabet, what sound each letter makes (looking back, I'm not sure I would have even done that at 3) and how to count. We did lots of crafts, read books, talked and even baked some things. I did it mostly while the twins were sleeping. But, school really happens all day. I would put a letter up on the refrigerator and we would go over the sound whenever we were in the kitchen. I would let him play with playdough or color at the kitchen table while I was cooking dinner. Are you starting LHTH? I didn't know about HOD back then. If you are starting LHTH, you could easily do it in an hour while your baby naps.


Tracy