Following multiple children’s interests daily may sound overwhelming but it doesn’t have to be. Here is how we unschool our 3 kids with very different goals and interests.

Maintain anchors that work for everyone

Having consistent times for us to be together during the day creates a rhythm everyone is on board with. Mealtimes, Outside time, and Quiet time are our anchors. The rest of the time is spent pursuing interests or doing activities outside of the home.

Mealtimes have been a great way for me to introduce books about topics they may not have been exposed to yet. This is when we do any sort of history, nonfiction, or science-type reading. If they are interested in the topic we will dive further into it, draw pictures, and create scenes or clay models.

There are numerous benefits to outdoor time, which has transferred to my children. They rarely turn down the offer to go outside to ride their scooters/bikes/skateboards, run around in the yard, read a book on a blanket, have a picnic, play at the park, or play with friends. 

This may change as they age, but outside time is still a major component of our day. 

As my oldest is less interested in playing at the playground, I will suggest some activities for us to do together while the younger kids play. She has enjoyed having the extra 1:1 time with me and we’re sometimes even able to get some reading practice in.

Managing Individual Interests

I’ve learned through observing my children, that when they show a big interest in a new topic or skill, they will pursue it repeatedly until they feel like they’ve gotten it. 

When learning to ride a bike was a big focus of my daughter’s we spent a lot more time outside practicing riding than doing other things that she was less motivated to do. 

The same goes for academics. When that same child was determined to learn to read, we focused heavily on finding time to practice and resources related to enhancing her reading skills.

Finding activities we can do at home also saves time by not having to drive or commit to activities. There are many different types of subscription boxes these days to allow each child to dive deeper into their interests. For example, Kiwi Co boxes for science and Kids Art Box for Art.

Embrace Sibling Age Gaps

The older kids love to teach the younger ones. Either by the younger kids naturally absorbing new information from the older ones or by an older child intentionally “teaching” skills to a younger child. 

Having multiple aged kiddos with different interests can benefit your homeschool in that one child may show interest in a topic and another child may pick up on the interest, creating connections you couldn’t have possibly planned out through a curriculum or your own doing. 

For example, an older child shows no interest in learning to read until the younger one is beginning to read.

OR when one child starts counting by 2’s, it sparks an interest in the other child to want to try. 

It’s truly a gift to watch the magic happen between siblings. Even those endless fights are teaching them how to resolve conflict and problem-solve!

The Prepared Environment

Your home is also a crucial resource for allowing them the freedom to explore their interests. Using toys, books, videos, games, art materials, etc. can give them the space to explore independently and come to you with questions. 

If you have a space for them to pursue their interests it can be beneficial to allow them input into how they want the space set up. 

• A child who enjoys art and has a reliable space at home to focus on it. 
• A child who enjoys learning music is given a space to practice without interruption.
• Finding a space for the classic Lego kid to get immersed in his creative world.
• Creating a reading nook to encourage reading.

Engage Outside Resources When Possible

We do outsource classes and experts when we can. Online classes, CO-OPs, and extracurricular classes are all helpful in allowing each child a way to dive deeper into their interest and to socialize with other children with similar interests. 

What do I do if I can’t immediately cater to an interest?

We have to be wise with our time and can’t drop everything for the child who decides they need to learn how to fish right now. This is a good opportunity to create a list or notebook with your child to record what they want to learn more about. Then you can find books at the library on the topic, research online videos, and find time in the future to go to a museum or experience that interest in real life.

For the fishing example, find a friend who fishes or an expert at a local fishing store to ask questions and help your child build confidence in learning that new skill.

YOU’VE GOT THIS!

It’s very possible to unschool multiple kids with various ages and interests. If you’re following their lead, the amount of time they spend on an interest can go from hours to days to months. When they stick with something for a while that’s a sign it’s worthy of their time and it’s worth your time to find resources to pursue the interest further. 

I’ve heard Julie Bogart say,  “ There are no educational emergencies”. This is so true and I remind myself of this often. They will learn what they need to learn when they feel ready and you’ll be there as their guide. Your child will not miss their potential. Suppose you’re doing your best, pursuing connection, and respecting who your children are as individuals. In that case, they will build confidence in themselves and that will be reflected in how they pursue their interests on their learning journey. You’ve got this!