For most homeschooling families, life is a continual balancing act, trying to meet the needs of two or more children simultaneously. This can be especially challenging when trying to meet the needs of a school-aged child (or children) and an unpreschooler at the same time. Very young children can be very demanding, and usually are not known for their patience. Also, little brothers and sisters often want to participate in their siblings' homeschooling in less than ideal ways. They may enjoy such questionable activities as scribbling in textbooks, spilling math manipulatives all over the floor, knocking over the science projects, and screaming during story time.

Veteran homeschoolers can share their personal coping strategies for dealing with younger siblings while homeschooling older ones. While there are many popular ways to handle this problem, each family must choose the strategies which best fit their family's needs, and tailor them to fit their own unique situation. Some families adapt their curriculum to meet the needs of all their children simultaneously, using unit studies or child-initiated learning. Other families make liberal use of classes and activities outside the home during the years when their children are younger, saving more formal instruction for later on. Some parents have found that the younger child will behave better during "school sessions" if they give the little one a special toy or activity, or if they spend quality time with the child before and after spending time with the older children. Other possible courses of action include saving formal school time for nap times, using a baby-sitter (which could be another family member), or even sending the youngest child to a regular "Mom's day out" or formal preschool program while Mom works with the older children.

For many families, unpreschooling is a stepping stone on the way to full-fledged official homeschooling in a few years. For others, unpreschooling is merely a temporary state until their children are mature enough for school. Over time, many of these families may choose to homeschool beyond their original goals - or they may decide to send their child to school far earlier than they had originally planned.

When working with unpreschoolers, experienced homeschoolers need to keep in mind that every family has its own unique needs and dynamics, which may differ from their own. Whatever their motivation, philosophy, or long-term goals, unpreschoolers and their parents deserve respect, empathy, and answers to their questions.

Working with prospective homeschooling families with very young children can be exhausting and frustrating at times. At the same time, it can be gratifying to watch these young children grow and mature without schooling, while their parents build confidence in their own abilities. And who knows - before too long, they too may be participating in that heated debate over algebra curriculums at your next support group meeting!

Celeste Land is homeschooled in Vienna, Virginia by former unpreschooler Leila (8) and current unpreschooler Adam (4). For three years, Celeste counseled many prospective homeschooling parents in her capacity as disseminator of an annual guide to homeschooling support groups.