21 Tips for Homeschooling Multiple Kids
It wasn’t that long ago that I too was researching tips, tricks, and ways to help me as I navigated homeschooling with 3 little ones. As the years have gone by, we have added two more blessings that at times can make our homeschool and household chaotic, loud, and messy. Despite LEGOS being sprawled on the floor, alphabet cards taped to the window, and the buzzer going off on another load of laundry, I have learned quite a few methods, tricks, and teaching strategies for homeschooling multiple kids. Some of the most effective tips may surprise you. See, we believe that education is more than just completing workbooks and checking off a list. A true education creates character, confidence, and a well-rounded little person. With that being said, check out the 21 tips for Homeschooling Multiple Kids!
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Tip 1: Implement a Plan
You should have a general idea of what your student is to learn or accomplish for the year… especially if you are homeschooling multiple kids. Whether you order curriculum, make your own, or piece it together, if you aren’t ready, how can they be? Not only should you plan for the year, but set goals for a term (1st half of the year vs. 2nd half). Use your summer to lay out what each student should achieve by the end of the year. You don’t have to use some fancy lesson plan organizer . A simple word document or excel sheet will do just fine. Just write the tasks and goals by subject for each child. Print out a copy to store in a 3 ring binder. Around winter break, I do what I call a “school audit.” This is a great time to sit down with each of your kids and talk about their progress thus far. It also gives you a chance to lay out what the rest of the year will hold along with upcoming objectives. The “school audit” puts a bit of fire under our bums to keep pushing on!
Tip 2: Assign Daily Tasks
On a smaller scale, what is the plan for the week? Day? When you have multiple kids, it can be hard to find a planner that suits your needs. This basic Daily Task Sheet became a game changer for us. It allows me to write out what each child is to accomplish for the week by the day. As they complete an assignment, it gets crossed out. The list gives them a goals daily and really helps them to stay on task and focused. For those of you with ADHD students, writing out what is required of them for the day is huge. I encourage you to write out only what is required of them one day at a time or else it may be too overwhelming for some kids. At the end of the week, put the sheets into a folder that has been organized with tabs for each child. That way, basic records are kept without it becoming too cumbersome. To download our editable Daily Task Sheet, click here.
Tip 3: Prepare & Print
You can plan all you want, but if you have not prepared your supplies ahead of time, then the plan goes to pot. Make sure to stock up on art and craft supplies. Don’t forget the science lab materials. Pre-order books you may need for that upcoming unit study. Pre-printing your kids lessons ahead of time is always a sure fire way to save time and headaches.
Tip 4: Be flexible with your schedule
Homeschooling multiple children doesn’t require a rigid schedule, but a general one. Over the years, I have seen detailed homeschool plans floating the web with times devoted to certain subjects by the day. That isn’t realistic. Devoting 30 minutes to art may get completely squashed when little Jill spills a whole bottle of paint on the floor. Life happens. And when it does, your schedule needs to adjust.
Tip 5: Lay out Procedures & Expectations
Talk to a pre-k or kindergarten teacher and you will find out very quickly that it is just as important for a student to learn the procedures of the classroom as it is for them to learn their alphabet. If you will take the time to teach them what is expected of them from the beginning, the end will far outweigh your efforts. Training and teaching your children isn’t just about reading, writing, and arithmetic. The most productive classrooms are also the most pleasant ones. There is a mutual respect shown for students and teacher.
Tip 6: Take Responsibility for yourself
Teaching responsibility can be humbling. See, responsibility isn’t just about doing household chores or your school work. Responsibility can also be acknowledging your actions and sin… especially when they affect others. When our kids have a sour attitude, speak unkind words, or produce poor work out of laziness, they should be held accountable. The best way to teach them about taking responsibility for their actions is to be their example. This can be humbling. Let’s be real here, moms are not always a bucket of sunshine. Sometimes we can be grumpy, irritable, set expectations too high, or feel lazy ourselves.
If we want our kids to take responsibility for their actions, we must. Our kids need to hear us ask for their forgiveness when we do something against them. Yes, it can be humbling to admit our faults, but the relationship you have with your kids will be stronger for it. They will respect you for your honest portrayal of your actions and attitude. It will also prove easier for them to take responsibility for their sin when the time comes.
Tip 7: Life is learning
At some point in your family, you became outnumbered. I’m sure that you, like me, had a moment when you realized that you couldn’t do everything. It is now up to everyone to help. Laundry, dishes, vacuuming, hanging jackets, walking the dog, sweeping the porch, cleaning bathrooms, taking out the trash, etc. are not just “Mom’s job.” Knowing how to use the dishwasher or put sheets on a bed isn’t a skill you are born with. Just like algebra, your kids have to be taught these life skills. Teaching your child how to mow the grass kills two birds with one stone. On one hand, your student is learning to be more independent and self sufficient, while on the other, their newfound skill helps the family as a whole.
Tip 8: Choose a healthy diet
Some of you might wonder what a healthy diet has to do with homeschooling multiple children. TONS! Amongst your children, I am sure that their is at least one that struggles with maintaining focus, has a short attention span, and when sitting can’t help but fidget. Offering healthy snack options and filling meals that limit high fructose corn syrup, food coloring, and added preservatives will certainly help to keep your kids even keel.
Tip 9: Encourage physical activity
Encouraging physical activity is one of the best strategies you can use to boost mood and attitudes. It is true that exercise offers several health benefits, but it especially helps high energy kids increase their ability to focus and concentrate. Physical activity helps kids feel better prepared for school mentally. A couple of years ago, we implemented outdoor morning chores and a walk around our property before school started. What a difference it has made! Parent.com lays out 10 Benefits of Physical Activity for Kids that is an interesting read.
Tip 10: Identify the need for a break.
Breaks are necessary. Do you know when you and your kids need one? You don’t want to push your kids to a point where school becomes drudgery. Sure, it can be frustrating at times learning something new, but it is crucial for kids to cope with their anxiety and stress naturally. It’s alright for a kid to say, “I need a break.” Wouldn’t you rather them go hang out on the porch to cool down than have a mental meltdown at the table? It is our job as their teacher to identify their triggers and help them to regulate so that they can continue successfully.
There are always clues before a mental melt down… sighing, putting their head on the table, tears in their eyes are a dead give away, saying negative things, rolling their eyes, etc. Stop the madness before it explodes. Encourage them to take a 5 minute break. They can go sit on the porch, walk around the house, go grab an apple, etc. This doesn’t mean to give them a pass on the work. Ideally, you would want them to come back and finish the task on a positive note. Once they come back refreshed, you can choose to shorten the lesson if necessary, but don’t nix it.
Tip 11: Change your heart.
Sometimes your homeschool isn’t working out the way you want because of you. Have you ever had a plan in your mind or there was something that you specifically wanted to complete that day and then it didn’t work out. You have to go into homeschooling knowing that life isn’t about you anymore, it’s about something greater. It’s about meeting the needs of your family, serving them, and loving God in the process. Does that mean that you never get any personal time? No. But your personal time probably won’t not look anything like it used to before homeschooling multiple kids. Once you accept this fact, you will enjoy them and your time together more.
Tip 12: Dare to Pair
An effective teaching strategy when homeschooling multiple kids is to pair them up. You could use this method in a variety of ways. Pair an older kid with a younger one. In this case, your older student may read a book to a younger sibling. Or better yet, your older student could bake muffins allowing the toddler to watch. Another option is to pair two kids up to play a game. Chess, checkers, Guess Who, Goldfish, or Memory are all great options. My kindergarten student is often followed around by my toddler who loves to watch and participate in school too. So, it is common for me to teach them as a pair.
Tip 13: Group your Troop
Family unit studies are becoming the “it” thing. The model is reminiscent of the one room schoolhouse where all students despite age or ability are taught by one teacher in the same room. Skip forward a hundred years and that method of teaching is swarming the homeschool crowd. Some families are embracing unit studies fit for all, project based curriculum, or even lapbooks that allow for individual modification. Personally, we do not embrace one for all curriculum in its entirety, but I do believe that grouping your troop as much as possible is the best use of your time and resources. You can successfully group your troop for Bible time, read aloud, history, and science.
Tip 14: Use your One on One time effectively
When you have multiple children, it can be hard to devote individual time to each child. Regardless, don’t try to juggle all their needs at once. It will only get you and them frustrated. Pinpoint who needs extensive help in a subject and then set that work to the side until time permits for one on one time. Meanwhile, they can work on subjects that require minimal assistance from you. Personally, I have found it helpful to spend quality time with the younger kids first and then work my way up to the eldest.
Not only is one on one time crucial for teaching new material, but use this time to check their work thoroughly. Sometimes a student may say that they are doing fine in a subject, but the work will prove different. This is not uncommon as your younger children will monopolize your time if you let them. In turn, your older students’ work can suffer. Whatever you do, find time for each student. If you take the effort to give them your sole attention, it will pay off in spades. Academically. Relationally.
Tip 15: Help them to become independent learners
We all want our kids to become independent learners. Independent learners take responsibility for their own learning. They are naturally curious, self-motivated, and are persistent. They strive to figure things out on their own before asking for help. These students are learning whether you are in “school” or not. Some students are just born this way. It is something that comes naturally to them. Most students can develop characteristics of an independent learner with encouragement and guidance. Creating learning goals that are clearly defined and linking learning with purpose are two effective ways to encourage self learning. Probably the most effective way to motivate your student is to model a passion for learning. A teacher who is passionate about learning is contagious.
Tip 16: Make use of educational videos
Take advantage of educational videos. In today’s world, some homeschool families embrace the screen while others shy away from it. We do not take classes online or even have regular television. But that doesn’t mean we don’t take advantage of educational videos through YouTube, the library, or through growing our own DVD library. Take a look at some of our RECOMMENDED EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS!
Tip 17: Utilize Effective Online Learning
Online learning can be one of the many tools in your toolbox that make life easier and more effective when homeschooling multiple kids. Enrich and supplement your curriculum with online learning classes and games. You can use computer time as a means to give a student a break from more intense work. It can be used as a learning tool for younger students while you work with older siblings. There are many free online learning options as well as inexpensive options. Take a look at the Free Educational Online Games we have found helpful.
Tip 18: Tame the Toddler
The best tip to tame the toddler came from an idea that floated on the web called, “Busy Bags.” This concept of busy bags were activities that were either contained in Ziploc bags or in a small container. Personally, I prefer to call them “Activity Bags & Boxes” since they are essentially that. Each activity keeps the toddler’s attention while also working as a learning tool. Granted, activity bags may not keep your toddler’s attention for the course of an entire school day, but in that moment of distress, pull one out. These activity bags and boxes should only be introduced during school time otherwise they will become ineffective. Store your activities in a convenient and handy location. Over time, add to your collection of activities. You can make bags with homemade supplies or buy inexpensive items at the Dollar Tree. It is also helpful to rotate toy bins too.
Tip 19: Don't dare compare
It can be tempting to compare your kids to others. It’s human nature to compare ourselves to others already, but when our parents do it, the damage can stick around for a lifetime. Not only does it negate your child’s self esteem, but it also pits your children against each other. What will happen if you compare them in the learning environment? Nothing good. If you have a student who is already struggling, a comparison comment that paints them in a lesser light will only kick them when they are down. It will also build a wall between you and your child. Your child will likely become resentful if comparing tactics continue. Pray that God will help you to see each of your children through His eyes and not the worlds.
Tip 20: Layer the Learning
Whether you are homeschooling multiple children or just one, this tip is for all. Layer the learning refers to incorporating several different types of teaching strategies when introducing new material. Learning does not look the same for every student. Some learners may not grasp a new concept by reading about it, but the visuals portrayed in a YouTube video make it concrete. Audio books grab your youngest child’s attention, but your eldest tunes it out. Use various mediums to teach your children. Your students may not enjoy all aspects of school, but layering the learning will help to keep them engaged and intrigued.
Tip 21: Recognize the burn-out.
Burn-out is different than needing a break. If you or yours are experiencing burn-out, a 5 minute break is not going to solve it. This is common during the winter months when the weather is gloomy and you are stuck inside more than not. Signs of burn out include general discontentment, restlessness, moping, and just an overall feeling of blah. When you or yours begin to head in this direction, take a 3 day weekend or spend a week enjoying mini field trips. Switch up your environment, spend the week outside working on setting up a garden. Whatever it is, change the norm.
Final Thoughts...
So, how can you homeschool multiple children without losing your sanity and making sure your children receive a quality education? That is really a loaded question. First, there will be days you think you are losing your mind. Second, there will be just as many days you question if your children are learning enough. That’s normal for any teacher. I felt these same feelings when I taught public school too. Every teacher feels this way from time to time. It comes with the territory.
The difference between public school teachers and homeschooling parents is that you are teaching in your home. That changes things because if you are like me, it can be hard to focus on school when the house is a wreck or the baby is screaming. You aren’t just teaching math, you are making sure the 3 year old isn’t writing with a permanent marker on the table or that the dog isn’t eating “Fluffy,” your daughter’s favorite bunny. There can be a lot going on.
To help combat the chaos, implement some ground rules, procedures, and strategies to help streamline your day. Please be realistic. If you think that your homeschool will become a serene, tranquil, and quiet haven, then you will be rudely awakened. Homeschooling with multiple kids can be humbling and tiring. But on the other hand, it can fun, memorable, and truly rewarding. For us, choosing to homeschool was one of the best decisions we ever made. Even on the not-so-good days, we know how blessed we are to have this opportunity. Keep the course… Marie
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