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A homeschool day with 4 kids, ages 1, 4, 7 and 10

One parent, four children, three and a half hours. You teach each child one-to-one in turn while the others work on their own, and you all meet twice for things you do together.

Hazel
Abe
Cora
Ben
8:30
8:45
9:30
9:40
9:45
10:00
10:05
10:15
10:30
10:45
10:50
11:05
11:35
Everyone, 8:30 to 8:45, together: Morning time15 min
Abe, Cora and Ben, 8:45 to 9:30, together: History and read-aloud45 min
Cora, 9:30 to 9:45, on their own: Handwriting15 min
Ben, 9:30 to 10:00, with you: Science10 min with you, then on their own
Abe, 9:40 to 10:00, with you: Phonics20 min
Cora, 9:45 to 10:05, on their own: Audiobook20 min
Abe, 10:00 to 10:15, with you: Math15 min
Ben, 10:00 to 10:30, on their own: Math30 min
Abe, 10:15 to 10:30, on their own: Puzzles and coloring15 min
Cora, 10:15 to 10:45, with you: Reading30 min
Abe, 10:30 to 10:45, on their own: Audiobook15 min
Ben, 10:30 to 10:50, on their own: Spelling20 min
Cora, 10:45 to 11:05, with you: Math20 min
Ben, 11:05 to 11:35, with you: Reading30 min
Ben, 11:35 to 11:55, on their own: Typing20 min
Hazel, 8:45 to 11:55: Play
Abe, 9:30 to 9:40: Play
Abe, 10:45 to 11:55: Done
Cora, 10:05 to 10:15: Play
Cora, 11:05 to 11:55: Done
Ben, 10:50 to 11:05: Free time

Where you are all morning

  1. Everyone · morning time
  2. Abe, Cora and Ben · history and read-aloud
  3. Ben · science, to get started
  4. Abe · phonics
  5. Abe · math
  6. Cora · reading
  7. Cora · math
  8. Ben · reading

Why this day works

  • You have 6 turns with one child at a time, and you’re never needed in two places at once.
  • While you’re with one child, the others work on their own or play, so nobody sits waiting for you.
  • History and read-aloud is taught once, to three children together, not three times.
  • Hazel, the little one, joins morning time, then plays nearby.
  • School is over by 11:55.

Questions families ask

How do you homeschool 4 kids at once?

Take turns. Teach one child at a time while the others do work they can do on their own, and teach what suits everyone together, once. In this day you have 6 turns with one child and 2 times all together.

How long is a homeschool day for a 4-year-old?

Abe’s lessons here add up to 2 hours 5 minutes, with play in between. Young children need far less time than a school day, because one-to-one teaching goes quickly.

Can I make a schedule like this for my family?

Yes. Planpaca plans each day of your week like this from your own children, books and school hours, and moves the rest of the day when something runs long. It’s free for 14 days.

More sample days

Planned by Planpaca’s own planner, for one parent. The children are made up; your own day follows your children, books and school hours. Make your own day free.