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Struggling to homeschool with a toddler
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Does it sounds like we need to give up on the “extra” subjects for now? My boys are 2nd grade, 1st grade, and 2 yrs. Our state law says we must do 4.5 hours of instruction per day, and I feel like we need to do something like that, rather than disregard the rule because it sounds difficult/ridiculous.
If it was just the older two boys, we could do that no problem! They love art appreciation, poetry, nature study, music, etc. However, right now, we struggle to complete the basics (math, reading, science, social studies) before my adorable 2 yr. old gets frustrated. He isn’t interested in the listening to our books (unless it has a picture of a cow or tractor or train) and considers nature walks a time to make as much noise as possible then watch the frightened animals run away. I work with him to over come this but of course, he is just at that age!
So, I thought maybe we could just do the basic four subjects in the morning, then do a little something during lunch when everyone is seated together, then do nature study and field trips in the afternoon. If we include our hour long evening activities (family walk or swimming, scouts, church, soccer) we would total 4.5 hours.
Is there another solution during this stage of family life?
Does the 2 yr old nap? Go to bed earlier than the others or sleep in later? I would use (and I do use with my 2yr old & almost 4yr old) these times to work in the extras. Good luck little ones makes life so interesting.
Absolutel count your extra activities and family time as school. Also doing chores can count too! Nothing like a little home ec! My two year old is very challenging as well. I try instead of doing all of the mother supervised subjects at once to vary it up. Do a subject they need me for and then spend 15 minutes with the toddler doing something she likes while the boys work independently and then back to helping them or reading for another 15 minutes. Could something like that work?
Another thing to remember is that in a ‘public school’ setting a ton of their official day is taken up with non-academic time wasting. Waiting for everyone to finish and assignment, getting in line, going to assemblies or recess or lunch, putting away and getting out different materials, having silent reading or studyhall, going to different rooms for things like PE, art, or library. So don’t feel your 4.5 hours must be strictly working. For us a portion of the time is listening to a read aloud on audio book. It happens during quiet time each day. Handicrafts, PE type activities, nature study, listening to music or practicing instruments, chores/cooking/life skills(home ec lessons) – all those things count! And remember the things you count towards your 4.5 hours don’t have to happen right in a row.
I gave up trying to figure out the hours each day, so we have “school hours”. During these hours, they can’t watch tv or play mindless computer games…in fact they are rarely on the computer until evening. We do school, activities, chores, play outside, and they do have a bit of free time. Usually with the free time, they play together, read, or draw.
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