1) Flexible Homeschool curriculum

Navigating homeschooling with babies and toddlers becomes more manageable with a flexible curriculum. Consider one that includes video lessons for guided instruction and the option to take lessons off-screen when your schedule allows. We’ve found Abeka to be a great fit; they even offer a free trial so you can explore their program (link here) before making a decision. Their video lessons handle the core teaching, which my children enjoy despite the classroom-like format. Plus, I appreciate the ability to tailor the curriculum by removing lessons and teaching off-screen when time permits. With Abeka, everything is conveniently planned, allowing for a seamless “open and go” approach.

A less costly alternative is The Good and The Beautiful offering open and go curriculum and supporting videos, although you do have to plan your days out on your own.

2) Use Common areas for lessons

Despite the popularity of a dedicated homeschool room / area, it can make it harder to balance household chores, meal preparation, and the care of babies and toddlers all the while supervising school-aged children.

3) Include Toddlers

Toddlers are remarkably absorbent learners, often the first to embrace lessons with enthusiasm, only to be the first to wander off as their interest shifts. But don’t let that discourage you from including them with their older siblings, as long as they’re not being disruptive let them join even if it is just to scribble on a piece of paper alongside their older siblings.

Last year, at just 1.5 years old, my youngest consistently mirrored her older siblings’ activities. Her eagerness to participate even led to quickly mastering chair-pushing and climbing to observe their video lessons. Now, at age two, she’s actively joining in by calling out answers.

Science, history, and Bible lessons are usually the easier subjects to include toddlers in, but it can be done with every subject!

4) Busy Boxes / “Special” Activities

Another effective strategy for homeschooling with toddlers is “special” busy activities or busy boxes they come out only during lessons. These engaging resources, such as dot markers, play-doh, play sand, and puzzles, can provide focused stimulation while teaching the older children.

These busy boxes can also be thoughtfully curated to support early learning. At age 2, you can teach color, shape, letter, and number recognition and sorting, letter sounds, counting up to 10, sizes (big, small ; tall, short). These can be done with fine and gross motor skill activities.

5) Set up your toddler/ baby and yourself for success

To set your toddler, and yourself up for success during homeschooling, make sure they’ve had some individual attention. Even a short period of showing interest in their busy activity and playing alongside them for a few minutes can be incredibly beneficial. Additionally, addressing their physical needs before starting a lesson – ensuring they are fed, have a clean diaper, are changed, and aren’t due for a nap – can make a world of difference in their overall demeanor and participation.

To support a smoother homeschooling environment, keep your toddler’s busy activities, snacks, and other items within their reach, allowing them to engage independently.

While babies require less in terms of self-sufficiency, ensure all their fundamental needs are met before presenting any lessons.

6) Take Advantage of nap times

While I value and encourage breaks during lessons, homeschooling with babies and toddlers significantly complicates this strategy. During our first year of homeschooling, I initially implemented 5-10 minute movement breaks between lessons, but quickly discovered this was unsustainable. The frequent transitions, often taking around five minutes each, significantly extended our lesson time, making the entire day much longer than desired.

We adapted our schedule: Bible time occurred during or after breakfast, followed by video lessons. My then 1.5-year-old’s nap became our window for reading and any needed one-on-one time. Sometimes, we even managed to complete the entire school day within her nap window.

Our homeschooling rhythm looks different this year with a non-napping 2.5-year-old and a baby who needs frequent feedings and naps. As I’ve learned, no two homeschool years are alike, and even individual days can vary greatly. Currently, our mornings begin with a Family Bible Lesson/Reading during or after breakfast, followed by prayer. While I settle the baby for a nap (around 20-30 minutes), the older children start their video lessons in subjects like Phonics, Math, Writing, and Activities. My 2.5-year-old often joins them, engaging in parallel activities like scribbling, playing with manipulatives, or pursuing her own interests. I usually rejoin them before their lessons conclude. While they continue their video lessons, I am able to tackle some housework and then oversee their reading, or implement any additional prepared activities. We typically wrap up around the time the baby wakes, followed by lunch and outdoor play. If there is any remaining schoolwork it is while I attend to the baby.

TIP: Nap times are THE time to do arts and crafts. Babies and toddlers often prevent you from being able to demonstrate properly and help. They also often get into things the split second you look away, often messing up the older siblings work which creates a whole world of meltdowns by both parties.

7) Older Siblings Can Help!

The other day perfectly illustrated the help of older siblings; As I was tending to my 2.5-year-old (we are potty training) and simultaneously trying to get lunch on the table, my 4-year-old voluntarily distracted the crying baby by jumping, dancing, and singing.

My eldest child is also a tremendous help, for instance, while I’m occupied with the baby, he’s responsible for ensuring our 2.5-year-old doesn’t get into significant trouble or access dangerous items like scissors. Similarly, when we’re outside and I need to step away briefly, I am able to depend on him to watch over the girls, with clear instructions to “holler at the top of your lungs if they go towards the front!”

My 2.5-year-old is already a wonderful helper with the baby, demonstrating her growing maturity by throwing away diapers, holding a bottle during feeding, and even preventing the baby from putting unsafe objects in his mouth.

If you are looking for movement breaks that also take care of some of that to-do list, be sure to read my post “Boosting Learning & Focus Through Movement” where I have written about taking movement breaks using chores, this kills 2 birds with one stone.

No matter the age everyone can take a part in the household.

8) Delegate!

The difficulty in delegating tasks often persists, even when we acknowledge the unrealistic nature of trying to handle everything ourselves. This reluctance can stem from pride or a feeling like a failure. However, for sustainable homeschooling and effective household management, we must overcome this hurdle and actively find tasks we can delegate. Here are some ideas;

1. Help with child care: Consider some child care help, could a grandparent provide childcare during school hours, even just once a week? That can make a tremendous difference. If budget allows, a babysitter or a mother’s helper (usually a teenager) can offer invaluable support, allowing you to give your older children the focused attention they need or concentrate on your to-do list. My husband takes 2 of our children to Friday evening church service, and the older kids have Saturday swim lessons, this provides much-needed small windows for me to get things done or to simply get a little break.
2. Tutor: Don’t hesitate to seek external help when needed. This could mean hiring a tutor or utilizing library volunteers for subjects you find difficult or where your child isn’t progressing. Often, a fresh teaching approach from someone else can make all the difference in their understanding, and freeing up a subject.
3. Cleaner: The pressure to maintain a constantly tidy and clean home is a significant factor in why some homeschooling mothers in my circle give up. This often becomes a standard they feel unable to compromise on. If your primary focus is homeschooling and a less-than-immaculate home is impacting your peace of mind, consider investing in a cleaner who can handle those deeper tasks, even once a month makes a difference. This is a particularly wise investment during the demanding postpartum months. Additionally, engaging a decluttering and organising professional can be a strategic move to minimise your household workload and save on cleaning services.
4. Cleaning tools: If external help isn’t in the budget (not currently an option an option for me, if you got the idea that I can!) , my go-to strategy for managing household tasks efficiently is investing in the right tools. For me, a vacuum mop has been a game-changer! You can find my favorite one here, and the specific model I currently use is linked here. Dealing with frequent spills is a daily reality, and a vacuum mop allows me to clean them up in minutes. However, even a simple addition like a dishwasher can significantly streamline your routine.
5. Grocery pick up: Grocery pickup has been one of the most beneficial modern conveniences for our family, offering significant savings in both time and mental energy. With my husband’s long work hours, the alternative – wrangling four kids through the store – is fraught with challenges: I forget items, losing my list, and constantly on high alert to prevent them from wandering off, destroying a display, or indulging in snacks, as well asking for things. Grocery pickup eliminates all of that. If you’re looking for tips on managing multiple kids in public you can find my Instagram post here and another here

9) Screens

10) Rememeber to be flexible and adapt!

Homeschooling with babies and toddlers is a constantly evolving journey filled with unique challenges. As they grow and their developmental stages shift, our homeschooling dynamics must adapt accordingly. Flexibility and adaptability are key to successfully homeschooling with babies and toddlers. This isn’t about catering to every whim, but rather recognizing and responding to their ever-changing natural rhythms which sets both you and them up for success. An overtired toddler or baby is rarely a happy camper. For instance, when my non-napping 2.5-year-old becomes unusually cranky, a spontaneous nap often results in a much happier and more independent child.