Homeschooling with a Baby
It is amazing the impact a baby has on a parent’s lifestyle and routines. Homeschooling with one (or more) also changes. Last year when I decided to homeschool my eldest daughter, although it was quite an adjustment, I felt like I was in a “good place” and could teach her, while my preschooler was learning along in the background. Being pregnant with my third, I was only managing the lessons predominantly for my kindergartener. After the birth of my third child, homeschooling with a baby changed some of our routines, and I realized that as he went through various milestones, other things around us also needed to be adjusted. Homeschool with a baby is not the same for every family, but here are some lessons I am learning that may apply to others.
There is no set schedule
I never really was one to be the “on-the-dot” time person, especially because of the kids. The same concept goes for homeschooling with a baby or toddler. Instead of following a set schedule, we are going by general routines. For example, instead of 9:00 is Math time, and 10:00 is Language Arts.. etc., we say that we typically do Math and Language Arts in the morning before Lunch. We try our best to follow that, but if something throws us off, like an extra fussy baby, or sleepless nights, then we shift our routine. We wouldn’t have a productive learning time if we do not have the energy to do so, or if crying is distracting the older kids. The benefit for our homeschooling day is that it is flexible.
Mobility will change your homeschool environment
After my baby learned to crawl, and then moved on to stand, our household changed. This goes for all families, homeschooling or not. Now that he is very mobile, I reflect back on the days when he was a tinier babe who would either sleep for longer hours or sit in his swing or on the blanket, cooing, smiling, while I was able to work on lessons with the older two. Once he figured out how to get out of there, homeschooling dramatically changed. I feel like our lessons had to be more efficient, and we move around the house a lot more. The older two could work on the floor with puzzles and manipulatives before, and now, according to my other daughter’s words, the baby is “ruining her work” as he tries to grab her crayons and paper. The kids either work higher up or the baby plays briefly in the play-pen.
Having a basket of baby toys around is helpful as well. I’m finding that the baby seems to be more interested in the older kids’ belongings, however. So it is important to mix things up a bit, as the baby toys’ novelty will wear off.
Naptimes = Productive times
The saying is to nap when the baby is napping. But for us, since the other kids do not nap, that is a good chunk of time for me to either sneak in some “me time,” do some household chores, or work on homeschool lessons that need more involvement on my part. Doing some involved, messy science experiments, or working with small math manipulatives, are good to pull out while the baby naps. Anything you are worried about the baby getting their tiny hands on is good to take out during their nap.
Lessons will be interrupted, and that’s okay
Sometimes we are in the middle of a discussion, and the baby starts to cry. When a lesson is interrupted, we stop what we are doing. I help the baby get settled, while the other two finish up something from their independent folder, or they can take a break to play, and we re-group once all is calm again.
If we have to stop for feeding or diaper change, the older kids love helping. Although we have to stop our lessons at times, the kids are learning about empathy, and taking care of others.
The baby is learning as well
Although the baby isn’t learning at the same level as the older kids, a good thing is they are hearing the language being exchanged when you are teaching and having discussions with the kids. If the baby sits for a bit while we read stories, he or she is getting exposure to the content. Try to engage with the baby as well and point out people, animals, or objects that are in the lesson activities.
Right when you feel you have figured it out, things change
As I learn more along the way (because I know things will change some more), I will add on to these reflections. If you have additional advice or observations with your own experiences, feel free to share.
