Homeschooling with Baby 101
Here's a dozen of the tips I use to keep my baby occupied so that I can get time with our older children for reading help, spelling, or whatever needs my attention including certain household chores. Joshua is a very active, energetic baby so holding or carrying him isn't always an option.
Don't exclude baby with these methods, but use them to include and encourage him to allow you time with your other children to accomplish your goals. Remember, you will be homeschooling him too and you want his experiences to be positive and enjoyable. So, keep him close while he is doing these activities and give him the attention he needs to thrive.
1. Give your baby plenty of one on one attention BEFORE you start your homeschooling day. This time you spend nurturing his needs first will go a long way to keeping baby content.
2. Make a tent nearby. One of Joshua's favorite things to play in is a tent made out of a big comforter draped over furniture. Leave large openings so it isn't too dark inside. Once Brandon and Amanda, my two older children, taught him how to crawl in and out, he has loved them. A large box indoors will work just as well.
3. Clean laundry in a basket. Most babies love to move the clothes in and out. Toys in the basket will work too, but they seem to prefer the laundry!
4. Duplo or Mega blocks.
5. Wooden building blocks. I prefer the ones without paint.
6. Stackable cups. You can make these from safe plastic containers of prepared foods your family eats or storage bowls you already have on hand.
7. Daily alternating of small baskets of toys.
8. Sometimes I place Joshua in the high chair next to the "big kids" so he can feel like he is "working" beside them. I give him a toy, snack, storage container lids, or a quarter-size puddle of water on the tray to splash and move around.
9. I take one of my other children's toys (a safe one they do not mind sharing) and let the baby play with it. He really enjoys playing with something of theirs.
10. Take advantage of nap time!
11. Place a crib activity center or crib mirror on the floor.
12. When baby gets restless and needs your attention, take a break and give it to him. Homeschooling with a baby that is upset is stressful and uncomfortable for all present members of the family. Don't be afraid to take a break and relax and enjoy your children--that's one of the advantages of homeschool!
I hope that you were able to get an idea or two to help out in your homeschool. Each baby is unique and not every trick works every time, so don't get frustrated. Just keep trying new things until you have several that work well with your baby.