This is my fourth year homeschooling, so you would think I would have figured out what to do with an almost three year old while they rest are doing school work, but I still at am a loss. I am very focused when we are doing our school time and don't handle interruptions well, which as you can imagine doesn't work with my preschooler. What do you with your preschoolers while the others are doing school work?
our dd2 is 2yr 9m, she mostly tags along with our 4.5yr old, plays with blocks or in the playroom, watches letterfactory, fun with phonics or magic school bus, reads her books, or is drawing
I definately have no problems being the "bad mommy" and putting my little ones in front of PBS or Nick Jr or even Playhouse Disney. We also use the LeapFrog DVDs. Also, have you ever looked at preschool activities in a bag? These are great to put away and only bring out during school time. Make sure they are simple ones so the littles don't have to ask how or what to do and it frees you up for a bit.
My 2 year old plays in the same room. She watches some DVDs too. I use a rotating toy box system that helps keep her interest in playing. I've used this for years and it makes a big difference. Sometimes interruptions happen and (although frustrating) going with the flow helps. At age 3 I would consider educational computer games. When my son was 3 I bought him some educational computer games as part of school supplies. He had opportunities to play them only while his older brother was in school.
I say invest in some high quality educational videos (or else go get 'em from the library!) bookmark some interesting worksheets or get a little workbook for her for occassional handouts Letter magnets Flash cards/memory cards and look into Preschool bags and rotate them so that they only come out during school hours for your PreSchooler.
My 3 year old tags-along as much as he wants. If he can't keep from being an interruption he has to leave the room. I'll take a break and get him set up with tv or game or toys then go back to 'school' with my older son....
Does your preschooler nap? Last year I would put my 3 yr old Goddaughter down for a nap and that gave me a good 2 hours each afternoon to work with my (then) 4 yr old. I am also one to not worry too much about putting in a video or turning on PBS for her to watch for a bit while I finished up with my daughter.
