Question about Homeschooling
Angie asked me yesterday: "How do you keep Noah occupied while
you are homeschooling? I am about ready to pull my hair out trying to
keep my two little ones happy while I'm teaching and we're only on the
second week of school."
Well, I can tell you that many days are like that for me as well!
One of the best things that has helped me is trying to make sure Noah feels like he is doing something productive too. Sometimes he feels left out, and that causes him to act up - so I am trying to make sure that he has something to do, but also learns how to entertain himself for a while, instead of depending on me for everything. He's gotten pretty good about it lately (but not every day is a piece of cake)!
One thing that has really helped, recently, is teaching him to use the mouse on the computer. It only took a couple of hours for me to explain how to use it, surprisingly. We were on a website that he thought was a lot of fun, and it is very much geared towards younger children, and made it much easier for me to teach him. Once he knew how to use the mouse correctly, I let him go to this website: starfall.com Not only does this site keep him occupied while I am teaching the older kids, he is also teaching himself to read! If you haven't seen this site before, you really ought to take a look at it. It is amazing.
If Noah does not want to use the computer, another thing he enjoys doing is playing with his trucks, or building with blocks.
If he gets in one of those moods, and there's not much I can do to settle him down, I will usually put him down for a 1-2 hour nap, depending on the time of day. Once he wakes up, he's a lot better to deal with!
I let Noah watch "Tom and Jerry" sometimes while the older kids are working. One good thing about that show is that there are no words, just music - so my other kids don't get distracted, trying to listen to the TV while working. I have the show automatically set to record on the DVR, so that I can turn it on any time. (It comes on several times a day on Cartoon Network.)
Another thing that has helped me is not giving the kids junky snacks... I try (and I'd like to emphasize the word "TRY") to totally avoid snacks between lunch and dinner, because those types of snacks tend to make them hyper; If they eat anything sugar filled, they climb the walls. Literally. I have a tendency to forget, though, so I do break my own rules every once in a while, and regret it later. lol
When I'm reading Science and History (etc) to the older children, I try to let Noah sit and listen along. He doesn't always sit still...sometimes he just takes off and starts playing instead- that's okay, as long as he's letting me read. I have had problems with Noah wanting to jump on me (or flip pages, or distract the other kids) while I'm reading these subjects to the kids- I've had to discipline him for it. (One great place for advice on discipline is Raising Godly Tomatoes. A TRUE LIFESAVER.) He eventually learned not to jump on me, and he'll either sit and listen now, or he'll sit in the livingroom and play while I'm reading.
I think that since you are just starting the new routine, it might take them a while to get used to it. I think Noah is used to ours, because he was born into it. You've only had 2 weeks, so give it some time. They'll come around!
Well, I can tell you that many days are like that for me as well!
One of the best things that has helped me is trying to make sure Noah feels like he is doing something productive too. Sometimes he feels left out, and that causes him to act up - so I am trying to make sure that he has something to do, but also learns how to entertain himself for a while, instead of depending on me for everything. He's gotten pretty good about it lately (but not every day is a piece of cake)!
One thing that has really helped, recently, is teaching him to use the mouse on the computer. It only took a couple of hours for me to explain how to use it, surprisingly. We were on a website that he thought was a lot of fun, and it is very much geared towards younger children, and made it much easier for me to teach him. Once he knew how to use the mouse correctly, I let him go to this website: starfall.com Not only does this site keep him occupied while I am teaching the older kids, he is also teaching himself to read! If you haven't seen this site before, you really ought to take a look at it. It is amazing.
If Noah does not want to use the computer, another thing he enjoys doing is playing with his trucks, or building with blocks.
If he gets in one of those moods, and there's not much I can do to settle him down, I will usually put him down for a 1-2 hour nap, depending on the time of day. Once he wakes up, he's a lot better to deal with!
I let Noah watch "Tom and Jerry" sometimes while the older kids are working. One good thing about that show is that there are no words, just music - so my other kids don't get distracted, trying to listen to the TV while working. I have the show automatically set to record on the DVR, so that I can turn it on any time. (It comes on several times a day on Cartoon Network.)
Another thing that has helped me is not giving the kids junky snacks... I try (and I'd like to emphasize the word "TRY") to totally avoid snacks between lunch and dinner, because those types of snacks tend to make them hyper; If they eat anything sugar filled, they climb the walls. Literally. I have a tendency to forget, though, so I do break my own rules every once in a while, and regret it later. lol
When I'm reading Science and History (etc) to the older children, I try to let Noah sit and listen along. He doesn't always sit still...sometimes he just takes off and starts playing instead- that's okay, as long as he's letting me read. I have had problems with Noah wanting to jump on me (or flip pages, or distract the other kids) while I'm reading these subjects to the kids- I've had to discipline him for it. (One great place for advice on discipline is Raising Godly Tomatoes. A TRUE LIFESAVER.) He eventually learned not to jump on me, and he'll either sit and listen now, or he'll sit in the livingroom and play while I'm reading.
I think that since you are just starting the new routine, it might take them a while to get used to it. I think Noah is used to ours, because he was born into it. You've only had 2 weeks, so give it some time. They'll come around!
I have 2-year-old also. My strategies are having him have his snack, draw, play-doh at the kitchen table, educational videos, stringing large beads onto yarn, etc. I also have the older one do activities that he can do somewhat unsupervised while I do things with the little one, like puzzles, letters, numbers, and so on. Last year was tough; this one is going more smoothly.
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Play-dough is a great idea too! I think that would keep them occupied for quite a while.
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Thanks so much for the advice. I think I am going to get the "Raising Godly Tomatoes" book. It sounds great (the website is too).
Today was one of those, "I'm putting him on the school bus tomorrow days"
About how many hours does your school day take? We have had days that we get done in just a few hours, while yesterday we went from 9-3, due to so many interruptions.
I really liked the getting the little ones involved idea. While I have been trying to keep Niyah & Nater away from the action, I think in reality I've just been encouraging them to act out.
Thanks so much!!!
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Thanks for the advice. I have homeschooled before but it was with my older children. This time I am starting out at 1st grade. My four year old can be quite disturbing at times and keeping my 1st grader on task is quite difficult at times. I am still at peace with the decision to homeschool but at times it is quite difficult. Today, for example just did not work out so I scrapped it and will do extra tomorrow. By the way I love the starfall.com site. I use it for both of the kids. I find it is great extra work for reading.
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I like those sites thanks for sharing them.
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Bethany,
You've been 'TAGGED'!!!
LOL I was tagged a few days ago, and a little late in responding to it, but you can find the post here
In Christ,
Audie
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Sorry, I had an issue commenting for some reason, and then when it finally posted, no link?
Here it is though! 'Tagged'
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Okay, sorry, I'll just do this!
http://traininguptobeap31.blogspot.com/2008/09/ive-been-tagged.html
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Oh, the challenge of keeping the older children on task while the younger ones are playing and climbing and singing and... I usually get my older daughter started on different "independent" activities and bounce between guiding her and doing some "school" with my 3 year old. I spend 2 hours of focused 1 on 1 time with my older daughter when my 3 year old takes her afternoon nap. It is a challenge, but sooooo worth it!
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It is so funny that you mention starfall.com today. Just yesterday, I let my 3 year old go their website for the first time and he loved it. I was able to get a ton of school done with the other boys. Why didn't I think of that earlier
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Anya still loves starfall.com too.
Thanks for recommending it!
How did you do in the fair competition? Did you guys go to the fair yet?
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I love how you always give such helpful advice to everyone!!! I am still slightly contemplating homeschooling Carter, I'm just not sure though. If I don't then he will go to the Christian school that I went to. It's just about a 5 minute drive, but it's also expensive.
BTW, visit my blog...You WON!!!!
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