Working at home with a toddler can seem impossible. If you leave them alone for just a moment they can easily cause massive destruction. Our children need our attention, but we also have the responsibilities of our jobs as teachers. Working from home as a teacher causes our home and work lives to merge and overlap.
Working at home with a toddler as a teacher doesn’t have to make you want to pull your hair out!
While working from home with young children has it’ challenges it is possible. Finding a schedule that works for you both. Developing your toddler’s independence and setting aside time to focus solely on your child. Help things go more smoothly.
Due to Covid-19 many of us are having to teach from home during virtual learning while at the same time caring for our own children. Need tips for handling this new reality? Read Extended School Closings: Tips for Teacher Moms.
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Schedule important tasks when your toddler is busy
Toddlers may need constant supervision, but there are times throughout the day when your focus can be on other tasks.
If your toddler still naps this is one of the best times to schedule tasks. Especially the tasks that need your undivided attention. Even if you only have half an hour you can get something done. The key to this working is to already have a plan for what you will do during this time. That way you can hit the ground running when you have the time.
A great way to do this is to set aside time to schedule your week ahead. A good time to do this at the end of the previous week or at the beginning of the new week. Taking the time to do this will make your work time more focused and successful.
If what you do week to week is consistent this makes it even easier. You can designate a generic task for each day of the week. An example of a schedule like this would be:
- Monday: Staff Meetings
- Tuesday: Catch up on Grading
- Wednesday: Lesson Planning
- Thursday: Make Copies or Assignments for the Following Week
- Friday: Finish or Adjust Lesson Plans
Another good time to schedule work times is when another adult is present. Find some work time before your spouse or partner leaves for work or set aside sometime on weekends.
Most toddlers are also of an age that they can begin to do activities without you being right there with them. I wouldn’t suggest leaving them alone where you can’t see them. That’s asking for trouble. 🙂 But, they could do something within eyesight independently.
Develop your toddler’s independence so you can work
Kids need to learn how to go to the bathroom and tie their shoes they also need to learn how to play independently. Young children can get into the habit of expecting mommy and daddy to entertain them or watch them while playing. This can be especially true if they are an only child.
Toddlers can learn to play independently which will help you work from home. It can take some practice, but eventually, it will happen. If your child struggles with playing independently and looks for your constant attention. It is best to gradually increase their independence. In the beginning, start with just five minutes of independent time. Build up the time as they show success.
Independent Activity Ideas:
- Coloring (Crayola Color Wonder Mess Free Coloring Kit)
- Playdough
- Special basket of toys just for independent play
- Melissa & Doug Water Wow Activity Book
- Collection of books
These work great for my daughter because she can do them on her own and with minimum supervision. The Color Wonder and Water Wow activities are awesome for keeping your toddler from making a mess. As you look for activities for your kiddo, you’ll want to ensure they meet those criteria. This will lead to better success.
What activities work best to keep your toddler occupied while you complete your work? Comment below!
SCREEN time- A working-from-home lifesaver
Screen time shouldn’t be the only technique for keeping a toddler busy while you work. It is a solid backup plan. When things get rough or you need a longer time block, a well-chosen show or app can be a lifesaver.
Virtual staff meetings, PLCs, or professional development often last an hour or more. These are also activities that you can’t control when they happen. This is when I have screen time on backup for when my daughter is done playing independently. I can easily hand her a tablet or turn on a show for her to watch. This usually keeps her busy for the rest of the time needed.
There are some great educational options that can keep your kiddo entertained. On Disney+, you can access many of their Disney Junior shows such as Doc McStuffins or Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. They’re age-appropriate and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse covers shapes, colors, and counting. Netflix also has some great shows such as Storybots or Magic School Bus. Also, check out this post about great educational shows for toddlers on Amazon Prime.
Screen time can also be playing an educational app on a tablet. Our personal favorite is Khan Academy Kids. It’s 100% free and doesn’t have ads or subscriptions. Kids work through a variety of short activities. The variety holds their attention, so you can keep working. Kids can do the prescribed lessons, play in the characters’ “rooms,” or explore the library of videos and activities. I especially like that they use Super Simple Songs that my daughter is already familiar with.
Other apps to check out include ABC Mouse, ABC Kids, and Smart Baby Games for Kids.
What apps or TV shows do you find keeps your toddler occupied while you work? Comment below to help fellow parents out!
Set aside time just for your toddler
On the flip side of increasing their independence, we also need to give our toddler the attention they crave. This is easy to forget in the craziness that is working from home. Especially right now with all the unknowns that Covid-19 adds to the equation.
I will be the first to admit I can forget this. This often leads to my daughter having a meltdown or other behavior problems. As she’s not positively getting my attention she seeks it in a negative way. When I intentionally set aside time for Annie our day goes much smoother.
This time does not need to be an elaborately planned activity or complicated outing. The key is that you are spending time with your toddler and not on your work. This isn’t always easy with emails popping up on your phone. Or your brain going through your ever-expanding to do list.
When I want to make sure I am putting my work to the side I place my phone out of reach. I also remind myself that I can reply to a parent email or a call from the principal when my daughter and I are done. If I have my phone in my hand, it is too tempting to quickly reply. While this may only take a short time, it’s not respecting my time with my daughter.
This time can be spent doing whatever you and your child enjoy doing together. It doesn’t need to be elaborate or Pinterest worthy unless you want it to be. If you’d like to plan a toddler-friendly craft project or bake cookies you can do that too. The time spent can also vary, but I recommend spending at least 10 minutes.
Mom & Toddler Time Ideas:
- Read Books
- Color
- Play a Game (Candy Land)
- Take a Walk
- Practice a Skill (Alphabet, Numbers, Shapes, Tracing, etc.)
- Play with Toys with your Child
- Draw with Chalk
- Baking
- Kick or Catch a Ball
By setting boundaries for yourself, you can give your full attention to your child. It will also give you a break from work, which we all need so we can be fresh and our best selves, especially when we’re working from home with a toddler.
If you’re worried about how to get everything in during the day check out these posts: Teacher Mom Time Savers: 3 Quick Tips and Amazon Subscribe and Save: Teacher Mom Hack!
If you have too much going on, need more work time, or your child needs more consistent attention. There are other options. Such as having extended family watch your child, trading childcare with another mom working from home, or even do full-time or part-time paid childcare.
Caring for young children and working from home as a teacher has its difficulties. But, with some planning, it can be possible. Sometimes it will be messy and everything on your to do list might not get done. If you have a rough day try your best to shake it off and try again tomorrow. Let each day be a day made fresh wiped clean of anything negative from the day before.
