Community Question is a category inspired by you. Here and there readers write in with questions that are better served by the varied, experiential knowledge of those who read and contribute in the comments. Please respond to this post in the comments, but if you have a question for the community email it to Heather.
The following question is from Hildy D.
“I currently have a kindergartener and a 2-year-old. Usually, we “do school” in our schoolroom with the kindergartener at a desk and the toddler on a blanket on the floor, with a selection of “school room only” books and toys. I spend a good 10-15 minutes with my toddler 1-on-1 before we start any school work, and I try to give her interesting things to do while I work with her older brother. I even gave her an old consumable textbook, thinking maybe she just wants to be like him.
Despite my best efforts, most of our 1 1/2-2 hours of school time are spent reminding her to get out of the storage drawers, not run down the hallway, not yell so brother can do his work, etc. (You know how that goes!). I’m looking for suggestions for keeping her engaged and happy while also making sure I spend enough time with my son, too. She’s not ADD, but she is a healthy, active, LOUD, toddler who doesn’t have a long attention span.”