Yes it works with toddlers, but it doesn’t work with unsupervised toddlers. It requires me to remind them to pick up and to point out what they missed as they pick up. I generally have them put all of the pieces, stuff back in the container on their blanket and then I put the container back in the cabinet or on the shelf for them.

I start this with them as soon as they give up their morning nap. When does that happen? Hmmm, maybe around 15 or 18 months? My youngest baby who isn’t taking a morning nap is now 3 (can you believe it????) and I can’t remember when they stop taking that morning nap.

Anyway, I’d say that your twins could do it. It will take some training to get them going, but it’s well worth it to have the ability to get that “quiet” (it’s all relative) school time with the other children.

I have used blanket time with children as young as 8 or 9 months. It just takes consistency. When I begin training, I sit right beside the blanket and every time even their finger goes onto the floor outside of the blanket I pick up their hand, put it fully on the blanket and tell them to stay on the blanket. They need that line to be very clear, it helps them to understand. In the early training phase don’t expect to get nearly as much work done, but generally after a few days the baby understands and you have laid the foundation for being able to get a lot more work done in the long haul.

Currently our baby takes both a morning and afternoon nap, so I don’t often use blanket time with him.

thanks!!!!!!!
melissa

This year I am trying to include my little ones more and more but also work strategically around nap/rest time. So thankful that my 17 mo old is still taking 2 naps. My preschool aged girls will be in the room, around the table with us coloring and crafting while I read and discuss with the school aged children. There are distractions for sure but also an eagerness to participate in “table school” as we call it. The girls will also play in their room, play in the backyard, watch a dvd, listen to a book on c.d., etc., and I work separately with them during a time that the olders are working independently. (btw… we live in ca. and our yard is a safe postage stamp of space directly outside from where we are schooling

Sometimes we take an academic break and we all work different jobs to get the house cleaned up or laundry sorted and i consider this “life school.”

One more thing that works for our family… our 3 and 4 yr olds are attending a christian preschool 2 mornings a week. We love the school having used it with our older children before we homeschooled and its a blessing for the girls and our schedule. We have no issues with this option but understand if other homeschoolers disagree.

God’s richest blessings to you and your readers!!

I have struggled with keeping my 22 mo old occupied this year. He has enough energy and curiosity for 10 kids. (I have 8 and he is by far my most active!!) He sits in my lap some, does play-pen time, sits at the table with an activity and it still isn’t enough.

Last week my husband told our oldest 4 children that part of their school day was to spend 30 minutes with Andrew. They could not “have one eye on their grammar and one eye on him.” They are supposed to actually play with or read to him the whole time. So far this is working well. My kids aren’t thrilled about it, but I’m a lot happier.

Homeschooling with little ones around isn’t easy. In fact I think it is the biggest challenge to homeschooling, but I try to remind myself that this is only a brief season of life. I look forward to reading the comments of others.

I have been implementing “blanket time” with my 2 and 3 yr olds while reading aloud in the morning to my 4 and 6 yr old. I have been putting them on the same blanket, but this hasn’t worked as well as I’d like. I’m going to try and give them their own blankets; sounds like that is a better idea.