Keeping Little Hands Busy
One of the biggest questions I hear from other homeschool moms is, “What do you do with the younger one while you’re working with the older one?” And honestly? It looks different every day. Some days it’s smooth, and other days it’s a juggling act — but that’s the beauty of homeschooling, it doesn’t have to look perfect.
Independent play is a huge help in our house. Playdough, puzzles, sticker books, and a little imaginative play go a long way in keeping my four-year-old entertained while I sit down with my eight-year-old for lessons. Sometimes free play is just what they need, and I give them space to do whatever they want while I’m focused on the other. I have plenty more ideas I’d love to start incorporating, but truthfully with the busy summer schedule we didn’t get there yet — and that’s okay. Homeschooling is a journey, and I’ll share more of those ideas as we go.
One of my biggest game changers has been meal prepping snacks over the weekend. Having snacks ready to grab means I don’t have to stop the flow of our school day just to get food out. It saves my sanity, and it keeps the kids from getting hangry right in the middle of a lesson. If you want ideas for the kinds of snacks we prep, let me know — I’d be happy to put together a post just for that.
Another thing I love about The Good and the Beautiful is that it already includes art lessons. They make it so easy to add variety to our week. I try to have at least one scheduled art project, and of course the kids do plenty of their own little creations whenever the mood strikes. Art adds such a fun break to the structure of the day and gives them a way to express themselves.
I’ve also learned that keeping expectations low is key, especially with Pre-K and early elementary ages. Kids this age just aren’t built to sit still for long stretches of time — at least mine aren’t. That’s why the shorter lessons in The Good and the Beautiful have been such a blessing. We do a little bit, take a break, and then come back when attention spans are ready again. Letting go of the mom guilt has been huge. I remind myself constantly that learning doesn’t have to look like a classroom, and it’s okay to let them learn in short bursts or through play.
At the end of the day, homeschooling is about flexibility. It’s about connection, not perfection. My kids will get there, in their own time, and I’m grateful I get to walk alongside them in the process.