Mom To Mom ~ Question Of The Week
Submitted by Shelley Cassar, Providence Mom
On days when I teach at home it can be somewhat of a challenge keeping my toddler occupied so that I can work with my 1st and 5th grader on their school work. Now that he is growing out of his naps it leaves us with even less quiet time to get the work done.
One suggestion I was given that I am going to try is to keep a box of toys separate from all the others that the child can only play with when I am teaching. That way they look forward to playing with the toys that they don't have free access to and play with them longer!
What things do you do to occupy your toddler when teaching your older children?
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I do school work with my kindergartner at our little kid table, so there is room for my 3-year-old to sit, too. I've found that this is a great time for him to play with play-doh.
~Lynette
I have a separate small table (a princess table) set up beside our homeschool area. My 3 year old will sit down to cut and paste construction paper for quite awhile at her special table. I also let her watch Leap Frog "Letter Factory" and "Math Circus" videos during 'school time'. They are excellent learning videos, and I don't feel nearly as guilty as I would if she were watching mindless cartoons.
Tanya
My 2 year old has a his own "desk"
(kid table) with crayons, pencil, color book etc. Then he moves to playing with some toys in his "spot" by the desk. (I work with him to stay there. So I don't have to chase him around.) This rotates in about 4 to 5 minute intervals. We also use "crib time" or "room time" for about 30 to 45 minutes each morning. And if Zach has a lot of reading to do. We read too or Gabe helps me with chores. So big brother is left alone.