IDK if I want to do LHFHG or not. Need advice on DD

[Mumkins]

I have my oldest two in Preparing and it's going pretty good. My 3 and 5 yo are doing LHTH. (I also have an 8 week old baby) However, my 5yo has lost interest in it and were only 2 weeks in. 3yo brings me the books and sings the songs all the time. I was going to do LHTH this year, another program next year and then do LHFHG with both of them. I'm kinda feeling like I'm holding DD back though. She'll be 6 in Dec. However she's a very reluctant learner. I've been working with her for two weeks every day to learn to recognize 7, 8, 9 and 10. She knows almost all letters by sight and several of their sounds, but really struggles to blend. Should I start LHFHG now? Wait a few more months? Keep holding off to combine?

[MelInKansas]

Whew, with a tiny baby on board I can totally understand why you wouldn't want to dive into another guide right now! Reluctance is a difficult issue to deal with. It could be a heart issue, or it could be the program just isn't challenging enough. I would look at the placement and see if you think he could do LHFHG or not. There's a lot to do in it! I would say the things that would challenge most 5YOs are 1) handwriting in the math workbook (which you could definitely try another math workbook instead of the Singapore one, in fact I would recommend looking into doing this) 2) reading comprehension in the Burgess story books and history books. Most of the other stuff is done at the child's level, or is easy, hands-on, and fun.

Once you have tried to figure out if he could even do it, then I guess my approach would be to talk to him about why he doesn't like school and try to discern where his heart is at. It wouldn't be productive to move into a more challenging guide if he's really just feeling that he doesn't like school and doesn't want to do it (unless his main reasons are that it's too easy for him). If it's his heart issue then I think it would be best to keep going with LHTH, maybe adding in phonics, writing, and math that's appropriate for his level, and work on the character issues or the routine of school. Even with reluctance, sometimes when you get into a regular routine the child will do it much more compliantly because that's just what you always do. Maybe he thinks some parts of it are "silly," and you could explain to him that he is learning things that will help him read, or help him write, or whatever. I can see that happening with an older child in LHTH, especially a boy. My girls... they love to be silly. Sometimes the silliness is more than I can take.

[Mumkins]

She was really into it at first. She'd come running when I'd start the poem. Actually, she still likes that part. I will talk to her.

[tnahid]

I agree that you could give her a little more challenge with adding phonics and math, etc. What does she enjoy doing? Maybe you could do something she likes AFTER she does what you need her to do, and that might help to motivate her more. I use a "treasure box" approach every Friday, where I give them a cheap little toy or something from a "treasure box" (plastic box with their name on it). It is a surprise each week. They really like that. Maybe she needs that kind of motivation?

[MelInKansas]

Sorry obviously I thought your 5YO was a boy... I try not to say gender pronouns because I almost always get them wrong when I do! I really apologize, I hate it when I do that!

[moedertje]

Just another thought, perhaps your daughter does not feel comfortable being combined at this time with a younger sibling. After looking at the placement chart perhaps you could just do the 3 R's with her this year and see how she does with that (ARFH K, Early bird Kindergarten 2A and 2B , Do it carefully and Finding the Answers and one of the reading programs Carrie recommends).Than next year you can do LHFHG with 1st grade options with her. This will give you all the time you need with her for her k-year, but might not be so overwhelming with a new baby coming.
Success and hope you find out quick what will work best for your daughter and will keep her interest!

[jjcmehl]

I agree with the above post (handwriting, math, & phonics). In fact, this is what I decided to do with my DS who just turned five. (I do add in the Bible and devotion from LHTH, as well as a storybook of his choosing.) (I have a baby, toddler, and my eldest two are in Preparing, as well.)

I was just reading a homeschool article and it reminded me that as homeschool moms we are led to this calling, but to remember that He called you and his counsel is supreme. Remember to pray for the direction. Oh, also remember to talk it through with your husband. I'm always blessed by my husband's insight.

Congrats on the little one!

Christine

[Mumkins]

Where we are, this is actually suppose to be her grade 1 year. So she is really behind in light of that and it concerns me. I LOVE our math program, but it's really advanced IMO for K, not so much for the other grades. I've had to stop teaching it as she suppose to be recognizing numbers into the 30s, but doesn't recognize numbers consistently past 6. She was really excited about being with her younger brother as the older two are paired. But she's really been asking for 1st grade stuff as we've been doing K.

I'm not sure If I should just focus on her learning her numbers and how to read or if LHFHG would get her interested in learning and all subjects would go better

[blessedmomof4]

Hm... where we are a child turning 6 in December would be placed in K this year, not 1st. I think the state guidelines are all weird... Little Hearts can be a grade K or a grade 1 program. You could use the Thinking skills book rather than the Rod and Staff workbooks, the Reason for Handwriting A rather than the K, the grade 1 science (which you read aloud to her) and do the Reading Lesson so she can learn to read. You could stick with Little Heart's schedule for EarlyBird math with the wonderful activities in Little Hearts-Singapore math is advanced, and in the country of Singapore kids don't start Singapore Primary 1A until age 7, so even though EarlyBird says K, she would not be behind at all. That way she can get a solid foundation in math, with nice short hands-on lessons to boot. From what you describe, it seems like she could use a slow but steady approach to math, but is ready for more in the other areas, and bumping her up may actually make things easier for you rather than harder. I wanted to keep my youngest two combined in CTC, but moving the 13 year old up to Rev to Rev has made a world of difference in her attitude and our school days. I do agree with the pp's, pray and talk it over with your dh-God will steer you both right!