Short bursts. Lots of getting up. Real life included.
If you’re homeschooling with toddlers and babies in the house, you already know this truth:
You don’t sit down and teach for two peaceful hours.
You sit down… get up… help a toddler… sit back down… answer a math question… pick someone up… hand out a snack… and repeat.
Most days, I’m teaching in 5-minute chunks.
Sometimes an activity keeps a little one busy for 10–15 minutes. Sometimes it’s 2 minutes. Both count.
These ideas aren’t about creating perfect silence. They’re about buying small pockets of focus so you can help your older kids learn — without losing your mind.
I’ve been homeschooling for six years, and right now all of my kids are under 10, so this season is very real for me too. (Read about my biggest homeschooling mistakes and what I’ve learned here
What my homeschooling with toddlers looks like in this season
Right now, we focus on:
- Math (actual lesson)
- Reading (actual lesson)
- Spelling (busy work book)
- Handwriting (I don’t look over their shoulder like the “experts” say to).
- Bible
- Surviving.
If we get to science/history, it’s usually by:
- Reading National Geographic Kids (books like this )
- Or watching a short National Geographic show on Disney+
- We love this book for American History
We do a lot of read-alouds. (this is how we feel the gaps with all subjects)
Other subjects? Bonus.
I also don’t usually teach during nap time — that’s my quiet time too, and I need it.
Some days we don’t get to everything. Some days we barely get to anything.
And on those days, reading a good book together on the couch still counts as school.
1. Busy bags (my most used tool)
I keep a small bin of busy bags that only comes out during school time. But I do store them up high so I am in control of what comes out when.
Inside:
- Fun sorting toys
- Sensory Activities
- Fidget toys (these lights with no sound = gold)
- Little knick-knacks
- Stickers for windows!
- Mess Free Art
- Wikki Stix are amazing
- Kinetic sand if you’re feeling patient with clean up. I also store this in a tub and not my bags.
They’re nothing fancy, but the novelty helps.
These usually buy me 5–15 minutes of focus — sometimes only 2 or 3 — and that’s often enough to explain a lesson.
They’re small but helpful distractions for kids under 5.
2. Play-Doh time
Play-Doh is a classic for a reason.
It’s quiet(ish), hands-on, and easy to reset.
I keep a small container just for school hours so it still feels special. We also use these mats for easy clean up. And just like the picture shows…you can use them for stacking blocks too;)
3. Whiteboards + markers
Whiteboards are magic for all ages.
Toddlers love to scribble.
Older kids can practice math or spelling.
Low pressure. No wasted paper. Easy cleanup.
4. Magnetic Toys
Who doesn’t love a good magnetic toy!? They’re great for independent play, sibling play, floor play near the table, creativity galore!
Some of our favorite magnet toys include:
Sometimes my toddlers will build right next to us while I teach.
*as always, be careful with those little ones that put things in their mouth with these toys around!*
5. Mess Free Art for the Win
The kind where kids “paint” with water and the colors appear. We also LOVE these Paint Sticks!
No mess.
No stress.
Huge win.
6. “School books” just for toddlers
I keep a few toddler workbooks, activity books and simple writing and sketch notebooks for the toddlers so they can “do school” too. If you want cute cover options, you can find some of our favorites we designed here.
They love copying their siblings.
7. TV (yes, really)
Some days… the toddler is just not having it.
And that’s okay.
A short show (or 2 or 3 or 8) so you can teach a lesson without interruption is not failure.
It’s survival.
8. Snack trays
Snacks buy time.
That’s it. That’s the tip 😅
Pre‑portioned snack trays help stretch it a little longer.
Our favorite easy “throw-quickly-at-the-toddler-to-get-them-to-stop-interrupting-our-lesson” snacks are: raisins, veggie straws, saltines, fruit snacks, gold fish, baby cucumbers and large carrots.
9. Baby + toddler carrier (one of my biggest helps)
When they’re babies, I use a soft baby carrier or sling constantly.
And I also love a hip carrier that works from the time they can sit to around age 4. Perfect for the clingy 2 year old.
Having my hands free changes everything.
10. Tag‑team teaching
Sometimes while I teach one older child, the other one plays with the toddler or baby.
Then we switch.
If you have the space, sending them to another room to play can help too.
Our house layout doesn’t always allow for quiet, so a lot of the time… it’s just loud.
Occasionally they’ll go play in their bedrooms, which feels like winning the lottery.
Grace matters more than productivity
Some days school is math, one page of reading, and that’s it.
Some days it’s just a book on the couch.
Some days nothing gets done.
And that’s okay.
On the hard days: I write down everything I did do — because it’s always more than I think. Even if it’s just lunch, one story, and keeping everyone alive. That’s real work. This is the reverse daily planner I use. It’s helped me stop feeling like I “did nothing” on days that were actually full.
If you’re in the early years and feeling overwhelmed — I promise, it gets easier.
And I’m still in the thick of homeschooling with littles too, so I’m right there with you.
If you want to make this season easier, these are the supplies that help us the most:
- Busy bag toys
- Zipper storage bags
- Sensory Activities
- Drawing Journals
- Play-Doh
- Mess free art
- Small whiteboards
- Dry erase markers
- Magnet Toys
- Water painting books
- Paint Sticks
- Toddler workbooks
- Activity books
- Snack containers
- Baby carrier
- Hip carrier
- Reverse Daily Planner
Want our full homeschool organization setup?
I shared how we organize our rolling homeschool cart, pencil systems, subject bins, and supplies here:
7 Simple Systems for Stress‑Free Homeschooling
Life with toddlers can be chaotic. This gentle weekly reset system helps me clear my head and keep things feeling manageable.
Grab The Gentle Weekly Reset Planner here → Buy for $8
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