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Mama Jenn

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A Day in the Life: Homeschooling Five Age Five & Under

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I tend to be a planner. However, with five little ones, you can’t really expect anything to go exactly as planned! I would often get frustrated trying to teach the older three in our playroom/schoolroom because the little boys would into everything. Then, if I strapped them into their seats and did school at the kitchen table, their attention spans would not last long. I would find myself shoveling toy after toy/activity after activity in front of them to keep them occupied so that I could work with the big three. Afterwards, I would find myself dishearted, frustrated and just plain tired. It was really like a circus act.

Well, after reading a story that I talk about in this post, my whole attitude and mindset changed. If you, too, are struggling with teaching older kids with toddlers at your feet, I would HIGHLY recommend you reading it!!! It is so powerful!!! Anyhow, after reading it, I made some changes to our schedule and things have gone much, much better and we have been at it for about two weeks now! So, here is…..a day in my life, homeschooling five kids ranging from ages two to five.

7:00 get up and have quiet time (Bible reading & prayer)…which sometimes isn’t so quiet with the kids anxiously waiting for me

7:30 school w/big three in the playroom/schoolroom…BEFORE getting the little boys up (During this time I try work on whatever is most important for the day…like reading, writing or math. I used to attempt to do all of our school after everyone was up and had breakfast, which did NOT work well at all.)

8:00 I shower, get dressed, and get the little boys up and dressed while the big three get dressed and do their morning chores

8:30 breakfast

9:00 school at kitchen table (I start out by finishing up any important stuff we didn’t get to that morning. During this time I have planned activities for the little boys to do in their seats.)

10:00 snack

10:15 more school (By this time we are usually doing stuff that the little boys can participate in. These are usually crafts or active projects and activities that, may times we can do outside.)

11:30 clean-up and lunch prep

12:00 lunch

12:30 free play (inside or outside) while I clean up kitchen and do other chores

1:00 naptime/quiet time (The big three play in their rooms and the little boys nap. I used to reserve this 2 hour block for myself to do whatever I wanted/needed to do, but now I tend to use a little bit of the time a few days a week to do sometime special with the older kids. A few days a week when I get the babies up from their nap, I try to spend some quality time with just them…didn’t do that before.)

3:00 snack

3:15 free play (inside and outside…this can include anything from watching TV to going on nature walks to dramatic play to playing with our toys to playing at the park to just plain old fun in our backyard…)

5:30 start dinner

6:00 dinner

7:30 start bedtime routine (this includes praying together, reading Bible stories and other books)

8:00 all kids in bed

At this point, I clean the kitchen, do whatever other chores that need to be done and the rest of the time is free for me til going off to bed.

As for our actual school time, when I start in the morning with the older three, we have a routine that we go through before starting our work. We go over our Bible verse, update our calendar with the current date, discuss the weather, and do our 100 chart. At this moment, I am thinking that I will probably start opening in prayer as well. I also want to incorporate more read alouds. I am thinking that perhaps the best time for this would be during the little boy’s naptime. Hmmm, things to think about and fit into the schedule! {smile}

Well, like I said earlier, this may look like a nice organized, well-planned day, but it rarely goes as planned. But, I am learning to be more flexible and to go with the flow! {smile}

NBTSbloghop

To read more about the daily lives of other homeschoolers, be sure to check out the Not Back-to-School Blog Hop by clicking the button above. I meant to participate in the curriculum week, but forgot. If you would like to see what we are using, you can click here.

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Comments

  1. Mama Jenn

    February 8, 2012 at 5:36 am

    WOW, you know, I really need to write a new “Day in the Life” post b/c so much has changed! My youngest are now 4 and my oldest is 8!

    Reply
  2. Doriane

    February 7, 2012 at 6:28 pm

    hey! your schedule is exactly like mine (minus the nap) just love your blog and everything you post 🙂

    Reply
  3. vanessa

    May 19, 2011 at 4:46 am

    I just found your blog through another blogger and I have been thinking/praying I need to know what to do with these babies… but you have encouraged me today. Thanks so much for sharing. I can do all things with Christ who strengthens me… that’s right!

    Reply
  4. Ticia

    August 25, 2009 at 12:47 pm

    Depending on the type of read alouds you do it with the little ones up, and let them listen in.

    Reply
  5. Margaret

    August 25, 2009 at 6:43 am

    Cute blog! With all your little ones, you might like this site, if you haven’t seen it before. http://www.preschoolersandpeace.com/ Blessing to you and your homeschool.

    Reply
  6. Nicki

    August 25, 2009 at 4:06 am

    I am impressed! Two sets of twin boys. Wow! I enjoyed reading your schedule, and I know what you mean about your day not actually looking like your schedule!

    Reply
  7. steadymom

    August 24, 2009 at 7:22 pm

    You ARE a busy mama, for sure! You’re kiddos are blessed at how you use your time so wisely…

    Jamie

    Reply

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