Teaching Different Ages

Most home school families (62%!) have three or more children at home. Teaching three or more children of different ages can get complicated! The good news is that it is and can be done. While not every strategy works for every home school family, there is a strategy that will work for you. The trick is finding it.


Dealing with Babies and Toddlers

Children too young to participate can complicate matters. Trust me—I know firsthand!

While some families prefer to coordinate school time for the older children with nap time for the younger children, I encourage parents to try to keep their little ones close by during school time if possible. I have been amazed to see how fast my young child learns as she watches her brothers. She usually supervises from her perch in the high chair, where she happily snacks or colors pictures. Some parents have found success dedicating a box of toys specifically for use school time, so that the unfamiliar toys hold the child’s attention longer.
If the younger child is detracting from the learning of older siblings, the children should be separated. Put the child in naptime or separate them into different rooms.

Work Together

Homeschooling takes a lot of hard work and dedication from the parents. However, there is nothing wrong with letting a skilled child practice with or even teach a younger child (with supervision). Do you have a child who is talented at math or reading? Encourage them to teach what they know to a younger sibling.

Do you have a child who needs to practice reading, and a child who loves to be read to? Set them up together and let the reader practice reading aloud to a sibling.

Teach the Same Thing

With the exception of certain skill-based material, such as reading and math, the children can be taught together in history, science, etc. While older children will be more prepared to tackle complex information and remember it, younger children will still be able to learn some of the content.

Take advantage of “Unit Studies” which allow the family to learn the same thing at their own independent level. This allows the entire family to learn and work together, without placing unrealistic demands on younger children or cheating older children of a challenging educational experience.

Encourage Independence

Independent learning is a wonderful skill that can be taught and acquired in a home school environment. Older children can be given tasks and encouraged to work without direct supervision.

Keep Perspective

A hundred years ago, one room schoolhouses with all age groups were the norm. Those children survived and thrived, producing educated individuals that excelled beyond the capacity of most modern-day graduates. It takes work and devotion, but homeschooling families with different age groups is very rewarding. Keep up the good work!