Tips on how to Homeschool all your kids at once!
It's no lie that when you start homeschooling multiple kids at the same time, things can be daunting! Figuring out how to navigate this can be a challenging task. However, I have compiled some tips that have helped me in working with my kids.
Alternate Start times/Subjects
I usually begin by assigning my older child her easiest subject so that she can work independently while I start working with my son on his hardest subject. Alternating start times and subjects helps me meet the needs of both of my children at different times. History and science are great subjects that we can all do together as a family. They can be scaled for each child, and both of them can easily meet individual needs. I encourage you to not worry too much about grade levels! Having a formal curriculum for history and science, especially for elementary-age kids, is not necessary. Reading lots of books and having fun experimenting is a great way to incorporate these subjects in a fun way.
Keep those little hands busy!
It can be very challenging to have young children around while you're trying to do schoolwork. When my youngest child was a baby, I used to plan his naps around our school time. However, now that he is older and no longer takes naps, I make sure to provide him with plenty of things to keep his hands busy, such as Play-Doh, building blocks, markers, and other activities. I often have to remind him that he needs to play by himself while we are working on school.
Teaching to work independently
Understanding your child's strengths and weaknesses can help you create a better learning plan for them. Handwriting is an activity that children can do independently most of the time, which helps keep their brains active. You can also use this time to focus on teaching another child. Additionally, you can encourage your child to complete their review sections before starting new lessons to promote independent learning. It's important to keep your children engaged and focused on their schoolwork as once they get distracted, it can be difficult to get them back on track.
Find a Curriculum that incorporates all your kids at once
We are a part of the Classical Conversations community. One of the reasons I love classical education is because it goes back to how our forefathers were educated, with a "one-room schoolhouse" approach. With Classical Conversations, all subjects, except for phonics and math, are taught in the same way. We do a lot of memorizing together, which cuts back on paperwork and book time, and allows for many other activities. There are certain curricula out there that involve teaching all your kids together. Gather Round Curriculum is one of those programs! It is great for families with a lot of kids, and I love the idea of everyone learning the same things at the same time! We have used several of their units in the past and have enjoyed them.
If no one has told you today, you are LOVED, and an amazing mom!
-Your Fun Friend,
Katie
