Myth: You Can’t Homeschool and Have Little Ones in the Mix
“Where do you take your baby while you homeschool? Because you can’t possibly teach your children while watching a baby!” The words roll off of his tongue like poison. His tone clearly displays his disproval of homeschooling.
I try not to laugh as I briefly state my well-rehearsed answer, “What school has a 3:1 teacher to student ratio? If the majority of public school teachers are solely responsible for 20-30 students, can’t a homeschool mother teach all of her own children?” With that, I excuse us from his presence.
For days his words haunt me and I wrestle with them. Am I making the right choice here? Can I really teach multiple children with babies or toddlers in the mix?
In the struggle that keeps a mama up at night and allows worrying to choke out every other joyful thought, God speaks: You are doing it.
Oh yeah.
I can homeschool and have little ones in the mix. I had already been homeschooling with a baby in the mix! We get through our schoolwork and enjoy it most days. My children are learning in the best possible environment. So why worry about the thoughts of one naysayer?
Myth: You can’t homeschool with little ones in the mix. Myth: You have to have childcare for your youngest children while you homeschool your older ones. Fact: You can teach ALL of your children, including your babies, toddlers, and/or preschoolers!
Homeschooling with Little Ones in the Mix: FACTS
Fact: You are the best teacher for your children
Whether you have toddlers, teenagers, or both you are the most capable teacher for all of your children. You know them the best. You spend the most time with them. You are most able to identify how they learn and can tailor their homeschool experience accordingly.
Fact: You don’t have to teach all ages at the same time
You don’t have to teach your toddler and your teenager at the same time. Homeschooling allows your family time to spend one on one time with each child. Although grouping your children who are at similar learning levels can save time, you are able to teach each of them as necessary.
Fact: Learning begins at birth and never ends
You may not think of it as homeschooling, but you have been teaching your child from infancy. Little ones learn from everything in their environment. Babies can benefit from listening to you teach your older children. Teenagers can benefit from learning how to teach younger students. Everyone can benefit from reviewing things that have already been learned (mama included!) Creating a continuum of learning in your home is a wonderful by-product of homeschooling!
Fact: You CAN homeschool and have little ones in the mix
If you are still wondering if you can successfully homeschool with little ones in the mix, let me reassure you: YOU CAN! If someone who calls themselves the Outmatched Mama can do it, surely you can! 😉
If you are just getting started, give yourself grace to find a daily routine that works the best for your family. Then rest assured in the facts. Your class size is much more effective for learning than many public or private school alternatives – even if you have 10+ students, your teacher to student ratio is better. You can homeschool and have little ones in the mix!
Check out the rest of the posts in the Homeschool Myths Busted Series!
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Tiffany
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