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Occupying Toddlers
by Kelly Benedict
Q: How do you occupy younger children
(pre-K & toddlers) when you’re doing serious schoolwork
with older children?
A: We have seven children at home. Three of them range
in ages from 2 years to 6 years old. The best way we have
found is to have a “school box” for the little
ones and specific time slots for the older children to have
one-on-one time with them. Our “box” contains
some puzzles, water paints, yarn and larger foam beads that
can be made into all sorts of things, story books, and “school”
books (the ones from Wal-Mart & K-Mart). During the
day, what works well for us is to have 30-45 minute increments
where one of the four older children each has a time with
the younger ones. Now, unless we have a sick one, or a nursing
baby whom only mommy can satisfy, this works quite well.
The older one whose “turn” it is can do something
with the young ones, whether it is something in our “school”
box, or taking them outside to play (and actually playing
with them), or watching a wholesome video with them, or
taking them for a walk on a nice day. This brings good discipline
for the older ones, as well as a bonding between the younger
and older children. Plus, the fact that no one gets overly
“stressed out” for having the responsibility
of the younger ones for too long of a period, and everyone
else gets quiet time to study. If more individual time is
needed and the little ones are bored, we study more in the
afternoon while the younger ones are napping. One thing
I keep as a constant reminder to myself though…my
little ones are only little for a short time, and sometimes
you just have to sit down, hold them, and love them! School
or not!
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