Occupying a 2 year-old
February 9, 2010 > No Comments
While this is not the first time in my mommy life I’ve had to entertain a toddler while the older children could concentrate on their studies, it does seem to be the most challenging time. Perhaps because there is many more things to do!? Perhaps it’s because there are 4 children needing help or motivation? Whatever the reason, I’ve had to perfect my skills in this area. And knowing this is a challenge for many homeschooling mothers, I decided to share some of my tips.
But before I share the tips for the toddlers, I’d like to explain that we guide our children to independent self-study method. While I am there to oversee and give basic instructions, I do not stand over them and guide them through each problem. They are encouraged to study on their own and when faced with a problem to turn back and study it through. We’ve found this to work well with our children. It has taught them that learning will always be at their finger-tips, all they have to do is apply themselves and search for it.
I am not suggesting this is the right method for everyone, but it is one of the methods I’ve used that has allowed me to continue homeschooling, keep the house clean, change the diapers, cook the meals and have a little extra time to write this blog!
- The first thing I suggest is make a tape/cd for your toddler. Things to include on this tape would be:
Mommy and/or Daddy
1) reading stories, Bible passages or poems
2) singing silly songs, Sunday School songs, hymns
3) relating facts to them – such as what their name means, why they
were named that or how Mommy and Daddy met
4) stories about family members who have passed away or live far-awayYou can play this tape as a way to lengthen nap-time if you have a short napper. Play before naps as a way to unwind or play after naps when they are still groggy.
- Save your most intense subjects for nap-time. Whatever subject almost always requires your time and attention, save it for when the little booger takes a nap.
- If you have more than one student, alternate students to do pre-school or play with the toddler while the other does school. If you regularly give breaks to your students, time the breaks where one is still doing school into the other’s break time allowing that student to study uninterrupted.
- Those of you with toddlers know they are not easily fooled. They can sense you are trying to busy them so you can get an “important” task done. So be sure to include them as much as you can in your work and let them always think they have an important role. Let them help unload the dishwasher, fold rags, switch the clothes over to the dryer, pick up toys etc.
- You can busy them for 20-30 minutes giving “school work” to them at their own desk or table. Print off official looking school work off the internet such as ABC coloring sheets. Say to them “It’s time for Susannah to do her school like Nathan…Here’s Susannah’s school!”
- I’m sure I’ll get some flack on this one, but hey I’m trying to be real. Don’t hesitate especially on a real hectic day to let them watch a 30 minute educational cartoon. I’m not suggesting parking them in front of the TV or computer all day, but all my children have watched cartoons as children and last time I checked they are o.k. There ARE some days when you wonder – Why am I picking a measuring cup up out of the bedroom?! – Why is there hair bows in the toilet?! – Who marked all over this library book with red ink pen?! – Who tore all the paper off this WHOLE box of crayons!? – and you all with toddlers know what I’m talking about! So you know, I don’t really feel guilty on days like that to pull up PBS or NickJr. online and let Baby Girl watch Clifford or Wonder Pets!
- Have fun toys that are only available to them during short periods of time during school. Bring each one out one at a time. When they tire of that one, put it up and give them another one. It tends to overwhelm that age group to have a whole box of toys sitting in front of them and they will often walk away not interested in any of them.
I’m sure there are more things we think of throughout the day that buys us a bit of time, but I think this list will get you thinking. If you’ve come up with other ways to occupy a preschooler, please feel free to share in the comments section. I’d LOVE to hear your ideas!
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