Homeschooling Siblings of Different Ages: Time Management Tips

By Lynn Moore The key to successful homeschooling is planning. Parents who homeschool are responsible for their homes, teaching their children (who are usually different ages), providing opportunities for their children’s socialization, caring for preschool children, and often working. The challenge is especially keen when the children being homeschooled are different ages.

Work Spaces and Materials
Each child will benefit from his or her own work space. That space does not have to be huge, but it is wise to have a desk that will house needed materials. The desk should be located in an area that is well-lit and away from the normal “noise” of the household. Because siblings are different ages (unless twins) and therefore different sizes, they will need desks of appropriate height. They will also need materials for their particular learning level. For example, the dictionary used by a six year old will not be the same as the one used by the twelve year old sibling.

Lesson Planning
Successful homeschooling involves lesson planning. It is important to check with your chosen curriculum to see what Jake should cover this week in math, and what Jill should do to really master that reading story.

It is easy to have a day full of great homeschool activities and miss the over all pace and scope that planning can bring.

Schedules
Sometimes the word schedule is almost a dirty word with homeschoolers. In fact, school schedules might be one of the things that they are avoiding by keeping their kids at home. Schedules may seem too rigid or maybe a waste of time.

Consider the things that you do when you first wake up in the morning. Perhaps you brush your teeth, put on your robe, and head to the kitchen to make coffee. You have a routine. . . It happens every morning. You don’t have to think about what you will do next. You just do it, and it always gets done. It is similar with a homeschool / homemaking schedule. It might not happen at the sound of a bell everyday, but there is an order. Things get done.

Another reason to consider a homschool schedule is that certain times of the day are best for certain things. For example, most kids do a little better at reading if it is done in the morning when they are fresh. (This is true even for kids who are not strong readers.) By the same token, most kids do well with science later in the day. The hands-on nature of that subject is easier to concentrate on even when kids are getting tired.

Schedule Considerations

The “top priority” list should be:

• Basic family needs: meals, laundry, clean bathrooms, bathing
• Basic emotional needs: attention, quality time, instruction in faith
• Critical homeschool lessons

The “second priority” list should be:

• Dusting, vacuuming, and other household chores that are not crucial to everyday life
• Extra play time, some family outings
• Additional school projects

The “third priority” list should be:

• Out of the home commitments (Church commitments are the exception unless they are all consuming so that the basic needs of the family are not met.)
• Too many children’s activities

Combined Activities
Certainly some activities can be done together. An older sibling might read to a younger one even on a daily basis. It would give the older sibling an opportunity to practice reading fluency while the younger child was in a listening for information situation. A word of caution – if the combined activity is considered to be the only activity in that subject both children miss out on the many other skills that they need at their own levels.Here are some great combined activities:

• Shared read aloud time
• Silent reading time
• Reading flashcard practice
• Math flashcard practice
• Some science experiments (Children participate / write it up differently.)
• Field trips: library, zoo, museum, science center (Again each child should have a different, meaningful focus.)
• Have a garage sale.
• Weekly menu planning
• Cooking
• Gardening

Separate Activities
Sometimes, even most of the time, your children will need to work on different activities to address their academic levels. Homeschooling parents may trade off in the schedule, teaching to Big Brother Billy first. Then while he is working independently, Mom switches to teaching Little Sister Susie.

Breaks
One of the beautiful things about homeschooling is the flexibility of breaks and even family field trips! Breaks can be planned in two ways. Children can take breaks from lessons at different times so that you can have teaching time with the sibling, or everyone can take a break at once for total family fun and "down time". These total family breaks can also be great times for family outings or field trips.

Homemaking
Plan time for the normal routine of homemaking. Some of the tasks are certainly appropriate for homeliving instruction. Other tasks can be completed while the kids are working independently or during break times. When there is a routine or schedule for maintaining the home as well as lesson times, parents can better approach this dual role.

Preschool Siblings
Are there preschoolers in your family? Preschoolers come with their own needs for play, mommy attention, and pre-academic skills. Even though your preschoolers may not be in a set curriculum, you will want to plan the day to include their growing needs.

Homeschooling children of multiple ages is not impossible. Planning and time management are key to really doing a thorough, adequate job. If you would like more information on time management and homeschooling siblings, take a look at our books.