Rhonda Robinson Rhonda Robinson is a mother of nine, and grandmother of 16, who believes the single most powerful force in America today is a vigilant mother, unafraid to nurture and protect her children. Still married to her high school sweetheart, Rhonda is a homeschooling mother by day, and a speaker, weekly newspaper columnist, and freelance writer by night (actually, really early morning before anyone is up—but it’s still dark out, so that counts.) Spanning 20 years of homeschooling and childbirth, Rhonda has gained over 572 pounds and lost 500, nursed a total of 17 years, and changed at least 29, 952 diapers, and rocked over 5,000 miles of tearful terrain. She holds a Master’s degree in laundry and speaks fluent toddler. View all articles | Contact author

I was wondering if you have any creative idea's for keeping toddlers entertained while homeschooling the older children? I have 5 under 8, and find this to be one of my biggest battles daily. --Amanda

Since all homeschooling families are different, and the needs of the children change with time, there is not just one easy trick to pull out of my bag. Different things work for different ages. Keeping a toddler safe, the bathtub toys out of the toilet and your walls crayon free, all while trying to teach can be overwhelming.

Here are a few suggestions that have worked well in our home:

Toddler school

Our school year always begins with traditions, like taking their pictures and a fresh batch of homemade play dough. A fresh supply of play dough, puzzles, and pattern blocks are a must. Toddlers need routine, and you need toddlers to have a routine. There is mealtime, naptime, bedtime and schooltime. During schooltime there should be some rules and routine just as there is at bedtime or mealtime, such as we stay at the table, or in this room no loud play, or we use only these toys, etc. 

Rotate the baby

Everyone gets a little one-on-one time, and everyone takes a turn watching the baby. While you're working on reading with one child, another can be playing with the baby. Set a timer, so everyone knows when its time to move on. Little bits of time on a consistent basis work the best. Everyone learns the routine, and no one gets left out. This was probably most effective for larger families.

Sitting at the table

Children love to be a part of "big guy" stuff. Depending on your child's temperament, sitting at the table and listening in on the lesson is always good. You would be surprised at how much they absorb. We used pattern blocks for one of my boys while I taught math. They were long math sessions and he would sit for two hours each day building ever expanding patterns with his pattern blocks. When it was time for him to begin math lessons he already just "knew" so much, and every new concept was met without fear. He was very used to it because he had sat and heard so much. Plus I believe the pattern blocks laid a great cognitive foundation.

Activity Jar

Write on a slip of paper an activity such as "take a walk", "play a favorite game" or "color in a book". Then each day the toddler gets to pull out the paper. It's a surprise every time! They are also more inclined to be up for it, because it came out of a jar, rather that suggested by mom. Keep recycling the activities they like; pitch what they don't.

Naptime

There will be times with certain toddlers, that the only rest you will get, or quiet times to teach, is during naptime—use it wisely. But take heart, they grow quickly and this stage won't last forever.

Koolaid Playdough

• 1 cup white flour
• 1/2 cup salt
• 3 T cheap cooking oil
• 1 pkg unsweetend Koolaid (generic works fine)
• 1 cup boiling water

1. Mix dry ingredients together
2. Stir in the oil
3. Stir in the boiling water. Mix well.
4. Knead the mixture until it forms a soft dough. (That's the fun part, the warm dough smells wonderful. It will take on the color and smell of the kind of Koolaid—but not the taste!

WHAT WILL NEXT WEEK'S QUESTION BE???

That depends on what you submit!