Update: I wrote this article several years ago. I now have four children, one of whom is a toddler. I still follow the advice in this article!

Have you ever tried to homeschool with a toddler underfoot? 

If you have, then you know it is challenging to homeschool with a toddler.

 If you haven’t or are the rare momma with a toddler sitting quietly while you are distracted (yay!), I’ll enlighten you a bit. 

Imagine a volcano that continues to pour out hot lava. 

That’s it. 

That’s all I got. 

When I think about homeschooling with my toddler around, I think of a volcano spewing hot lava all over our home constantly. 

I have two daughters. One is in school, and the other is not, so I homeschool with a toddler.

 Miss B is currently doing first-grade work, while I have yet to start any work with Miss S. She’s only three, and I’m in no rush to get her started. With that being said, what does she do while I am working with her sister? 

I wish I could say she will sit quietly and “play school” while her sister does her work, but Miss S said no when I first tried that with her. 

I liken her to a hyped-up puppy—one who runs from person to person, licking, barking, demanding attention, and going from toy to toy, her attention never being held for very long. 

No, Miss S doesn’t lick (maybe she has once or twice), but I’m sure you get my drift. It can be hard to homeschool with toddlers in the house. 

Of course, they don’t always understand why mommy has to give one-on-one attention to their school-aged siblings. 

Miss S is getting older and is very excited to start preschool this coming fall. Until then, I have found a couple of tips and tricks that have helped me homeschool with a toddler underfoot. 

6 Simple Tips To Homeschool With A Toddler Underfoot

1. Hands-On Activities

If your toddler is anything like mine, this may be a hit-and-miss plan depending on many factors, mainly mood and the day.

 But if your child enjoys hands-on learning activities that work their little minds and make them feel like they are doing school too (which they are! Learning is learning!), this should be your first go-to.  

I try to have a couple of plastic totes filled with hands-on activities for my kiddos (is that the right word for them? Bins, maybe?) My husband teases me whenever I say totes because I call everything totes, and he thinks of those big blue Christmas ones! 

Plus, he says I’m addicted, and I mean, why not? They work for so many uses!) 

Sometimes, Miss S is excited about these hands-on activities. Other times, she shrugs and says no. 

That’s when I move on to plan B. Here’s a list of my favorite hands-on activities for toddlers, preschoolers, and even school-aged kids. Enjoy some of these! 

2. Television

Please don’t judge me (not that I would care if you did). 

But on the days when I am completely exhausted, Miss S interrupts Miss B’s learning time. Nothing gets done. Those days, I turn to my dear friend, Mr. Television. 

I don’t just put anything on, though. I have one rule. It has to be educational. Most of the time, I put on Learning with Leapfrog movies. Miss S is learning her letter sounds and numbers, and I can focus on Miss B for a while. 

We also watch animal documentaries on Netflix, such as The Magic School Bus, Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That, and Story Bots, Miss S’s favorites.  

Don’t be afraid to turn on the television when everything else fails. Your toddler may learn something, and you won’t feel so much pressure. It’s a win-win. 

3. Get Your Toddler Involved

Miss S LOVES to do science experiments, cooking, art projects, etc., with her big sister. If she can learn something from it, I always ask her if she wants to join in, too. Most of the time, she does! 

I created our loop schedule, so Miss B and S could do it together. It takes the pressure off of me to try to create different lessons for both of them, and they enjoy learning together. Again, it’s a win-win!

4. Use An Older Child’s Help

Not everyone has older children and toddlers around at the same time. But if you do, then request their help with your toddler while you do one-on-one work!

 Have them take the toddler outside, build blocks, or play with Play-Doh. 

They get that bonding experience with your toddler, and your attention can be on your school-aged child who needs help! 

I do not have an older child, but my sister does her home school work at my house. I love having her around to help me out, and I know she loves being with her nieces! 

5. Do School During Naptime/Bedtime

Sometimes, when you don’t have any other choice, having your child work on school work while your toddler is napping is your best option. 

My children no longer take naps. 

They still go to their rooms for a little bit after lunch for a “quiet time.” I have tried having Miss B do her school work during that time, but she LOVES her quiet time and was pretty resistant. 

Now, I wake her up before her sister wakes up (most of the time) so that she can finish her school work for the day. 

We do this for several reasons. She requested it. 

She spends two to three hours on school work instead of four or five. 

She’s less distracted, and the one-on-one time with mommy is guaranteed, at least for a bit. 

Now, I know this is only an option for some. 

But doing school work with your child before your toddler wakes up, during naptime, or after your toddler goes to bed may be a good option for you. 

6. Don’t Be So Hard on Yourself

This is less of a tip and more of a piece of advice that this momma has learned the hard way. 

I have this sign hanging up in our school room. 

Homeschooling is hard. 

Parenting is hard. 

It is hard to balance work and family, run a business, or do whatever else you have to do. 

If you homeschool with a toddler underfoot, don’t be so hard on yourself. 

Your child will learn. Your toddler won’t always be a toddler. And you’ll fondly remember these years because they fly by so fast. 

Or maybe you’ll look back with relief and joy that you aren’t there anymore!