Homeschooling multiple children is no easy task, especially when you have a preschooler in the mix. Balancing lessons, activities, and daily chores can feel overwhelming, and it’s easy to wonder how to fit it all in. Here are three practical tips to help you weave preschool learning into your busy homeschool schedule without losing your sanity.
1. Set Reasonable Expectations (for yourself and your kids)
Homeschooling allows for both flexibility and structure, which is a wonderful thing—but it can also lead us into one of two common traps:
A. Setting Expectations Too High: We set lofty goals, aiming to achieve a full schedule of activities every day. But when life happens (as it always does), we feel discouraged or disappointed.
B. Constantly Changing Expectations: We let our goals fluctuate based on our toddler’s mood or our packed schedules, creating inconsistency and frustration.
Neither of these traps will derail your homeschooling journey, but they can make it more stressful than it needs to be. Instead, focus on setting practical and realistic expectations. If you’re going through a particularly busy or tiring season, try scaling back to just 2-3 days a week of preschool activities. Consistency, even if minimal, provides structure and helps maintain a rhythm, making the experience enjoyable for both you and your child.
2. Have One Staple Activity
To keep preschool simple yet effective, choose one staple activity that you commit to doing every day (or on your designated school days). For us, this is “morning work”—a single page that covers the basics. It takes just a few minutes, ensuring we always have a solid foundation.
The key to success is flexibility. Beyond the staple activity, have a set of “optional” activities that you can choose to omit if your schedule cannot accommodate them.
In our homeschool, optional items include sight word flashcards, practicing with Bob Books, and a fun learning game. These items are a part of our daily school routine, but if we have a field trip or something come up at the last minute, we can still complete our staple item and omit the rest if needed.
3. Establish a Schedule or Routine
I know, routines can feel impossible when you’re managing littles—especially with a newborn or while dealing with morning sickness. But hear me out: your routine doesn’t have to be elaborate!
Even a simple schedule can reduce the resistance you might face when transitioning in and out of school time. A consistent routine signals to your child when it’s time to learn and when it’s time to play, cutting down on 90% of the whining and complaints that can disrupt your day.
Think of it as a series of small, manageable steps rather than a rigid timetable. For example, your routine might be as simple as: breakfast, morning work, playtime, and then an optional learning activity. Keeping it straightforward makes it easier to stick to, no matter how chaotic life gets.
Make Preschool Simple with One Page a Day
If you're looking for a way to effortlessly incorporate preschool into your day, consider using a “One Page a Day Morning Work” resource. This tool allows your child to practice all the basic Pre-K skills with just one page a day. It’s a great way to maintain consistency, build foundational skills, and keep your mornings stress-free!
With a little planning and flexibility, you can make preschool a joyful part of your homeschool routine. Remember, it’s not about doing it all—it’s about finding what works for you and your family.
Happy homeschooling!
Lauren Fulton