Our call phone beeps to inform us that someone left us a text, a like on facebook or an tweet to let us know what is happening right at the moment. Our kids are getting use to see us glance at different screens during the day.
If you are doing home educations, all these distractions can be easily fixed. We can turn the ringer of the phone off, set a no computer or social media time and other little things.
But what happens when the distractions come in a form of a sibling? When the option of sending the trouble maker to the principle office is not an option, what else can you do?
I wrote about certain ways that will keep little persons busy, at least for a while, but sometime you really need that "one on one no distractions" time.
I tried many techniques, some worked and others failed
- Taking advantage of "nap/quiet time" works only if your student is not tired
- Play a show on TV for the wee one in another room. Not a great solution if your toddler used that time to get into trouble (some kids needs to be constantly supervised)
- Play time with educational toys, stickers, puzzles are only good for those kids who like to be left alone for a certain period of time (some kids can play great together, others no so much)
- Including the little ones in, works sometime and not others.
This is one of those things that you need to be consistent and flexible at the same time. They need to learn what is expected of them, while you keep reminding yourself that they are a "work in progress". And that what works today might not tomorrow, be willing to change things around.
How about you who are homeschooling with busy little one. What is your family favorite ways to make sure you can have that one-on-one time?
We still have very short lessons (usually 5-10 minutes for reading, 15 minutes for math, 10 minutes for pencil skills like colouring and printing numbers and letters). MM is still young enough that he can go in the baby carrier on my back when the Cuisenaire rods or the pencil crayons come out. I try to include JJ in the lessons, even if it's just giving him the same worksheet and some pencil crayons so he can colour. That works for us so far. I have a feeling that it may be a challenge once MM gets too heavy to carry on my back (He's almost 30 lb now!). :)
ReplyDeleteI found that it was easier last year to have more one on one time, now a certain little that gets jealous of the time I spend teaching her sisters (even 5 min is too much time away from me these days lol) Keep reminding myself that this is a stage !!!!
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