Homeschooling Multiple Ages (+ Reading Eggs)

Are you Homeschooling Multiple Ages?

As a homeschooler entering my 5^th year of wisdom and balance, there are some things I’ve learned.

We’re a family of 6 and have been homeschooling with little kids in all stages- babies, nursing, toddler chaos and pre-schooler distractions. As a mom, everyone needs your attention all the time, and often at the same time.

When teaching multiple kids, I love combining kids for certain subjects such as history or science.

Other subjects however, really benefit from deep one on one connection. I’ve tried to do math side by side, but as my kids get older (4^th grader this year!) I really cherish that individual teaching time.

Now I’m impressed by the moms that don’t use technology or tv in their home.

I am honestly not one of them. I’ve come to truly appreciate some screen time to have that one on one teaching (or get dinner on the table without with reduced interruptions).

During our ‘homeschool hours’ I truly appreciate some educational screen time instead of zone out screen time. My kids responded really well to getting some iPad educational app time during the homeschool day so that I could focus on the other kids.

Tips for Homeschooling Multiple Ages

- Take turns with who plays with the little kids if you have any.
- Give your toddler or preschooler some one-on-one time before you start homeschooling
- Rotate toy boxes so that they seem ‘shiny and new’
- Offer new art supplies for the older kids ( I like to rotate chalk pastels, watercolor, modelling clay, tempera paints.. etc)

Keep little kid art supplies around like paint sticks.
Read together during snack time. I’ve found that when the littles are eating, this is the perfect time for me to read our literature.
Use a monthly subscription box like Kiwi Co
If your kids know how to read allow them to have some independent reading time
Storytime for the little kids with older siblings
Use educational apps to keep kids busy but still learning

One of the educational apps I’ve really come to love is the reading eggs app.

A few years ago my oldest daughter was struggling with reading and phonics.

I then came across reading eggs and it really helped her confidence and it was more engaging for her to learn.

Disclosure

Reading Eggs sent me some workbooks and a subscription for today’s review. All words and opinions are my own.

Reading Eggs App Review

Reading Eggs is an award winning app that helps teach kids ages 2-13 how to read. They also offer other online programs such as Math Seeds.

Our kids really enjoy this app, both the MathSeeds and Reading Eggs

It’s fun and the levels are engaging so the kids want to continue.

Before you start your kids take a placement test, then Reading Eggs chooses the right level for your child. You can have multiple children and see the results or what they’re struggling with in the parent dashboard.

The parent dashboard shows you how many phonic skills your kids know

Reading Eggs also offers Workbooks

In my personal opinion, these weren’t the right fit for our homeschool style. I liked the 200 Essential Reading for each grade as it gives you a good idea for what traditional schools teach. The starting out reading books were honestly in my opinion, terrible. The images have animals with crazy eyes or outdated 90’s photos.