If you are the homeschooling parent of more than one child, has this ever happened to you?
Breakfast is finished, chores are semi-done, and it’s time to get started with lessons. You settle in with your third-grader to work on his times tables and meanwhile your preschooler does one or more of the following: tease the cat, pour cereal onto the coffee table, pull every toy off the shelf and throw each across the room, or scream “Mommy!” or “I need you, Mom!” every two seconds in her effort to get your attention.
As a homeschooling parent, one of my biggest challenges was keeping my little ones entertained while working with the older children. This can make all the difference between a happy, well-behaved child and one who is coloring bedroom walls, cutting their own hair, or pushing peanut butter sandwiches into heating vents. Young children are curious and imaginative, so if they feel they are being ignored, even for just a few minutes, they will find their own sources of entertainment.
I know of one terrific way for homeschooling parents to keep their little ones happily occupied during the homeschooling day. Not only does it keep them entertained, but it accomplishes a variety of other things as well:
- Builds positive self image
- Encourages self-discipline
- Rewards hard work and diligence
- Promotes eye-hand coordination
- Cultivates a love of learning
- Fosters cooperation with others
- Encourages their imagination
The answer is simple: doing crafts with your child. You’re probably thinking “Woohoo! What parent hasn’t already thought of that? Crafts with older kids are okay, but with toddlers and preschoolers? Yeah, right. How do you find workable ideas, organize everything, and avoid a major mess?” Okay, gotcha.
First, consider how arts and crafts activities make your job as a parent so much easier:
1) Kids love arts and crafts, so are happier and argue less among themselves and with you.
2) Discipline becomes easier and less necessary.
3) They play together better and use their imaginations; even develop their own little games.
4) Your little ones won’t need you to constantly entertain them anymore.
5) Your oldest may start helping you more with the younger ones.
6) Homeschooling lessons with your older children will be easier because the little ones will be happily engaged at the same time.
