Taking a step back but for the best I hope.

[arstephia]

Last year we gave a good go with Little Hearts when dd was 5. She couldn't sit through the read alouds well, wasn't understanding the questioning, and wasn't enjoying it so we stopped at Christmas break and just focused on learning to read. (She really gets math, so some of the math explorations things were too easy for her so I wasn't sure where she fit.) This year she is 6, first grade, and reading pretty well, has great handwriting, and much more aware of the world around her. I decided to do Beyond with her because we'd done half of the Little book, her understanding and enjoyment of read alouds blossomed and because on the placement chart she fit there. However, now I am finding that she isn't able to read the Bible portions in the Early Reader Bible without some frustration so we weren't fully benefiting from that element like I would like us to. That in itself wasn't enough for me to switch gears, but I also looked ahead and realized that she will hit Preparing, which her older sister is now doing at age 10 and loving, at age 8. She would end up being on the young end of every book, and I don't know that that is best for her. I don't think she will get as much out of it as my older daughter is, so I am taking a step back. I am considering starting Little Hearts over and shelving Beyond for a year. I don't think she would remember a lot from last fall because it just didn't click with her. Instead of doing the finger plays (which dd does not like even in children's church), I would be teaching dd the songs/poems and letting her just enjoy them without the motions, and instead of the math in Little, I am just continuing on with what we've already been doing and just adapt some of the math explorations to match what she is learning in her math book. Like instead of counting 1-5, we are doing 1-50. Just a few little tweaks, but I think in the long run we will get the most out of the future HOD books. Can anyone see how stepping back could be a detriment? Just wanted some thoughts/input before I switch out the boxes.

[jenntracy]

I think your idea sounds good. Last year i was going to try to keep my 2 olders together . my daghter was 4.5 in fall and my son about to turn 6. WE did about 10 units in LHFHG and i decided it wasn't going to work.I contiuned with my son in LHFHG but stopped it with my daughter. So this year my son is using Byond for first grade, but about to turn 7 in week and my daughter who was 5.5 yrs this fall is using LHFHG. It is really working well. She is enjoying the Burgess books now and can listen to the history. It hasn't phased any of us that we had done the 1st 10 units.
I do think it sounds like she would get the most out of it if you could start with LHFHG again. I don't know if you would want to start from begining or not or just pick up where you left off. I know my daughter loved Reddy Fox. We are on Peter Rabbit now.
Praying that helps. God will give you peace about your decision

Jenn D.

[mamayi]

It sounds like you are really in tune with where your dd is in her development. IMHO you are wise to take her back to Little Hearts as she will get much more out of it this time around. It's amazing how much a child can change in just a few months!
And I think it's easier to add more than to face constant frustration with material that is too difficult.

[moedertje]

Seems like you have made a good decision to do LHFHG. It is such a fun program.
From your post it was not clear to me where she places for math.
Have you already started the math in Beyond? If you have how is your daughter doing with it? If you have not and she is beyond the math level from LHFHG you can always start her with primary mathematics 1 and use the wonderful activities Carrie has written in the Beyond manual with it. You would than just do the math from Bigger once she is in Beyond and so on.
Hope this helps you and does not confuse you
Success

[Busymomma1]

Sounds like a wise thing to do. The guides do quickly get more challenging, and I think you may be doing the right thing in looking down the road and seeing that your child will get to some of the more advanced guides too quickly. One thing I'm learning... in theory, I'm eager to have my kids moving ahead and having materials be on the challenging side. But I'm finding that, in reality, moving too fast too soon can take some joy out of learning. If they are always working at a challenging level,they can get burned out quickly. I guess what I'm saying is... keep it easier and fun as long as you can, while still challenging and moving forward appropriately. Oh, I hope that makes sense...

[my3sons]

...One thing I'm learning... in theory, I'm eager to have my kids moving ahead and having materials be on the challenging side. But I'm finding that, in reality, moving too fast too soon can take some joy out of learning. If they are always working at a challenging level,they can get burned out quickly. I guess what I'm saying is... keep it easier and fun as long as you can, while still challenging and moving forward appropriately...

So true! I agree. I felt such pressure with my oldest, and he is on the very youngest side of RTR. That being said, he is thriving - BUT, it is due to much attention he received early on, being my only son I was homeschooling, and being I was bound and determined to give it my all. With my second ds, I have slowed it down some, going half-speed, and I'm enjoying that so much with him. My youngest ds will probably have a much slower pace as I don't want him to be done too quickly - I'll miss homeschooling like crazy! So, I think you are wise to step back, think what's best for your dd, and enjoy the journey rather than sprinting for a quick finish. I think you would be making an excellent decision by doing LHFHG with her.

In Christ,
Julie