Are you wondering how to homeschool children of different ages? Do you want to focus on teaching your older children while still caring for younger ones? Have you assumed it can't be done?
I assure you, it is possible to teach older children, meet the needs of younger ones, and still keep your sanity!
In this post, I'll share what I've learned from studying elite academies, private tutors, one-room schools, cottage schools, homeschooling my own children, and mentoring other parents. You can create a customized 21st-century education for your family.
Acquiring General Knowledge
Most school time is spent acquiring general knowledge. This type of knowledge should be broad and isn't dependent on a child's IQ, skills, or development. General knowledge is both experiential (hands-on or learned in a life context) and fact-based. Children of all ages can build a knowledge base.
Many schools separate general knowledge into segments and assign them to different grade levels, but children can learn general knowledge at any age. The sequence of subjects taught in schools is often more about logistics than what's inherent to a child's development. This means general knowledge can be taught to all your children at once.
My Personal Experience
At one point, I had three school-aged children and a toddler in the mix. We began our days with family scripture study, followed by reading great literature aloud together. During that time of my homeschool journey, I delved into educational methods from Charlotte Mason, elite academies, one-room schools, and more. From this research and my own experiences, I developed The Power of an Hour, a method designed to teach all my children together while providing them with a broad, foundational education.
Establishing a Routine
Each morning, we began with a nature walk. When we returned, we transitioned into a new space, ready to learn. If we had field trips, appointments, or other activities, I tried to plan them for the afternoon to preserve our homeschool routine. But sometimes, we’d do scripture study before heading out, and one of the kids would read aloud during travel. Regardless of how the day looked, most days we completed The Power of an Hour as one cohesive lesson.
The Power of an Hour: Gateway to a Classical Education
The Power of an Hour is designed to take as little as one hour a day and is divided into three attention-span-friendly segments, each about 15 to 20 minutes. These segments can be adjusted depending on your children's focus for the day.
Young children's attention spans are typically around their age in minutes. However, when engaged with older siblings, they can sometimes focus for longer. The Power of an Hour was designed with three attention-span-friendly segments that you can customize for your family.
NOTE: Attention spans are not fixed. Some days your children may have shorter or longer spans than usual due to physical or emotional factors. It’s important to remain flexible. Some days we would shorten scripture study to just one verse, while on other days, we might dive deeper and spend more time if the children were engaged.
These segments can be done back-to-back or spread throughout the day, depending on your schedule.
By teaching all your children together, you can focus on the older ones while still engaging your younger children. This keeps your homeschool flowing smoothly. Here are three simple strategies that worked for me and many others, and can help you provide a well-rounded education for all your children at once:
"Three Simple Strategies for Teaching All Your Children Together"
1. Core Book - Scripture Stories
Children love stories, and scripture stories help develop character. Some stories may only take a few minutes to read and discuss, while others might take longer. Either way, it’s flexible and easy to adjust based on the day.
2. Classic - Read Aloud
Reading great literature aloud helps children understand human nature and explore biblical archetypes, historical periods, and moral lessons. It also builds vocabulary and language comprehension. Plus, the discussions that follow can enhance intelligence and critical thinking.
3. Gateways to Learning
Learning gateways are exactly that—doors to further knowledge. The Power of an Hour includes various gateways looped throughout the week, each with suggested activities.
Reviewing and Introducing New Concepts
Daily Review: Each day, I review what we've been learning by asking questions and encouraging examples. This process is quick but valuable. For instance, I might ask, "Who is the artist we've been studying? What can you tell me about him? Can you describe one of his paintings?" or "What spelling rule have we been learning? Can you give me an example?" It’s important to give them time to think—don't rush to provide the answer yourself. If they struggle to recall, gently offer reminders to spark their memory, allowing them to contribute from what they remember.
Teaching a new concept: Before introducing a new concept, I first ask what they already know about it. This allows them to step into the role of the teacher, showcasing what they’ve absorbed and eliminating the dreaded, "I already know this" response. I listen carefully, acknowledge their insights, and might even ask, "Where did you learn that?" Our children often pick up knowledge from places we may not realize. Once they've shared, I simply fill in any gaps in their understanding.
Weekly Loop Schedule Example:
- Monday: Art History, Art Appreciation, Art Terms, Spelling Rule
- Tuesday: Music History, Music Appreciation, Music Terms, Grammar Rule
- Wednesday: Great Thinkers (Math/Science), STEM (Math & Science) Concepts & Activities
- Thursday: World Leaders, World Geography, Language Arts (Hebrew, Anglo-Saxon Roots, Latin Roots)
- Friday: Poetry History, Poetry, Poetry Terms, U.S. Geography
- Sunday Bonus: Noble Person of Faith, Character Development
Each lesson is kept short and within the attention span of the children. The goal isn't to overwhelm them with too much at once but to reinforce learning with clear, simple activities. Busy work, worksheets, and endless repetition aren’t necessary for success.
What About Skills like Reading, Writing, and Math?
While The Power of an Hour delivers a broad, general education, you may be wondering about skill acquisition, like learning to read, write, and do arithmetic. Stay tuned for our next post, "How to Customize Your Child's Education," where we’ll explore how to teach essential skills and meet the individual needs of your children.
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