How to Homeschool with a Baby or Toddler in Tow

What I've learned from homeschooling with babies and toddlers in the mix.

Over the summer, I’m going to be doing a series of “How to Homeschool” posts. Stay tuned for more of these if you’re a homeschooling family! This fall, I’d love to begin compiling a “Homeschooling Guidebook” that will contain thoughtful answers from homeschooling mamas with tips, experience, and resources. Here’s what I need! If you have a homeschooling blog or Substack and would like to collaborate with me in this Homeschooling Guidebook, please send me a message or leave a comment!

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Do you want to know what I still find the most challenging part of homeschooling, even five years in?

It’s not picking the right curriculum or teaching a six-year-old to read. It’s not even juggling social life with homeschool rhythms.

It’s this—homeschooling older kids while also caring for a baby or toddler.

Since beginning our homeschool journey in 2020, I’ve never had a year without at least one little one in tow. My kids are currently 9, 7, 5, and 2, and I remember those early years vividly—feeling pulled in every direction while trying to give my older kids a rich education and tending to the relentless needs of a newborn or active toddler.

I remember days where I was tempted to throw my hands up in desperation at the scene of trying to calm a crying baby, coach a struggling 7-year-old with her math, and make sure my other boys weren’t wrecking havoc somewhere throughout the house!

Maybe you’ve been, or are currently in, a season similar to this? If so, keep on reading.

Why the Struggle Is Worth It

My husband and I value having a larger family and homeschooling our kids—but those two things don’t have to be at odds. With the right mindset and a few adjustments, they can work beautifully together.

Creating a peaceful homeschool atmosphere (especially with a wide age range) isn’t just about having engaging activities or buying the right toys so toddlers stay entertained while other kids are learning—it’s about realistic expectations, aligned priorities, and a flexible-yet-focused approach to the season you’re in.

In this post, I’ll share some lessons, strategies, and resources that have helped me homeschool through baby naps, toddler tantrums, and everything in between. If you’re in a season like this, I hope these ideas will bring encouragement and practical help!

Homeschooling isn’t the easiest route, but in my opinion as a former public school teacher and mom of four, it’s the most fulfilling. It may not always be right for every child, every season, or every family—but with intentional planning, preparation, and a focus on what matters most, it can be a lifestyle full of relational closeness, adventure, and academic success—even with little ones underfoot.

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10 Tips to Make Homeschooling with a Baby/Toddler Doable

1. Wake up before the kids.
Getting up early gives me a few moments to mentally and spiritually prepare for the day. I use this time for quiet devotions, writing, and drinking my coffee in peace. A calm start helps me stay grounded when everyone’s up and the day begins.

2. Start school at a regular time.
Having a predictable start time sets the tone for the day and helps everyone know what to expect. It doesn't have to be rigid, but consistency makes the morning flow smoother for everyone—including me.

3. Involve kids in morning chores.
Older kids can take on more responsibility than we sometimes think! They will rise to the level of responsibility they are given. Starting our day with shared chores, like clearing the breakfast table, wiping counters, or unloading and the dishwasher, helps us reset the space for learning and reminds everyone we’re on the same team and it doesn’t all fall on me.

4. Plan school around the baby’s schedule.
Instead of fighting the interruptions that come with babies, I’ve learned to plan around them. We often do focused work during nap times, read alouds during feedings, and take breaks when the baby or toddler needs attention. Being flexible with a changing schedule is key, not something to be frustrated by, as these early days certainly won’t last forever.

5. Set up toddler-friendly activities.
Having a few simple, mess-contained activities ready to grab and spread out on the kitchen table before our learning time begins has been extremely helpful for entertaining my toddlers. I rotate a few favorites to keep them novel and engaging. Here’s some of our most used items that we own and love…

• kinetic sand with small plastic animals or molds for shaping (kept in a plastic storage bin to contain the mess!)

• dyed rice sensory bin- scattered with small letter tiles for collecting and a few measuring cups for scooping

• assorted dried bean sensory bin- with spoons and small containers for collecting and sorting

• penne pasta and pipe cleaner sensory bin- my kids love to string the noodles onto pipe cleaners and make bracelets

• Counting Bears- this is my 2-year-old’s favorite activity!

• Melissa & Doug Chunky puzzles

• Counting & Mosaic board- for counting or making a colored mosaic (I also use this tool heavily in math during the primary grades)

• Wooden Tangram Jigsaw Puzzle

• Pattern Blocks

• Wooden Stamps

• Magnet By Number

• Dot Markers with Activity Books

• WikkiStix

6. Limit screens unless necessary.
Mindlessly watching cartoons or a favorite kid’s show can be a quick fix, but I’ve noticed they often backfire when used regularly (ask me how I know!). My preschooler gets 20 minutes of Reading Eggs (an online literacy program that promotes phonics awareness), but beyond that, I try to fill this time with hands-on play, books, and other activities.

7. Let older siblings “teach.”
One of my favorite things to watch is my older kids helping the younger ones when I need 1:1 time with another child. My 9-year-old loves “doing preschool” with her toddler brother—they read, count, sing, and play school. It’s both adorable and genuinely helpful!

8. Don’t try to do it all.
There are seasons when doing less feels like the right choice. After each baby, I’ve given myself permission to delay starting science or history, sometimes for months! Core subjects come first, and we circle back to others when life settles down. It’s okay to press pause for a season— I promise you won’t hinder your child’s education by doing this!

9. Make space for toddlers at the school table.
My toddlers always loved to be included in our learning time at the school table. I give them their own special bin of simple learning activities, like dot markers, cutting practice books, sticker books, letter tracing—so they feel like they’re doing school too. It helps them learn the rhythm and gives me brief windows of teaching time with the others.

10. When it all falls apart, read aloud.
Some days just seem to unravel— the baby won’t sleep without being held or the toddler won’t play independently and requires much more of my attention. When that happens, I grab a book and gather everyone on the couch. Reading aloud calms everyone, creates connection, and keeps us learning without sacrificing school time altogether.

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Where to Go From Here

If you’ve been called to homeschool your children but feel at odds with how to also care for your younger ones, remember this— no homeschool day, season, or year needs to look perfect to be meaningful. I’ve had countless days where expectations were realigned, intentions went out the window, and all we managed was a read-aloud and some independent work. And yet, learning still happened in some capacity!

Your babies won’t be little forever. There is a season for everything, and this one, though exhausting, is also full of sweetness. So give yourself grace. Keep showing up. And trust that the slow, faithful work you’re doing matters more than you know.

As always, thank you for being here and following along with my journey! I’d be so grateful if you shared this post with any other homeschooling mama who also might find this encouragement helpful.