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Hi,

My son turned 4 in September. I got Little Hands to Heaven last year for him, but I didn't feel he was ready then. Anyhow, I've been trying to work our way into it this year, slowly, as I also have an 8 year old in Bigger, but my 4 year old is not wanting anything at all to do with his "school." I have activities for him to do while I'm teaching my older son, and I spend time with my four year old doing puzzles, books, games, or blocks before I start school with my 8 year old. We also have a half hour recess half way through our morning, and then he does an educational video or computer game while I work on math and language arts with my eight year old.

I am wondering if this is normal for some preschoolers? My 8 year old has always been very eager to "do school." I don't want to push him too much. Does anyone have any advice or suggestions?

Thanks so much,
Amy

My almost 4 DS did this for awhile too! He even says, Only 2 things today! Meaning he only wants to do 2 activities from LHTH. But he does do those 2 things now quite happily (we are going 1/2 speed). But one difference is, I don't do much else with my DS like you were saying you did puzzles etc with him first. We are using LHTH as his "mommy time" with me. He will learn from playing with you also, you're right you don't have to "push" him. One suggestion would be to slowly do activities from LHTH first thing with him instead of what you're already doing! HTH

He is a very young 4. I would not push it. Some children simply are not ready and the reality is (despite what the world says), a 4 yr old does not need preschool. I would wait another 6 months and see where he is at. In the meantime include learning play and library books, etc. Go on nature walks, build with blocks - a 4 yr old is learning constantly in everyday life. The bookwork can come later.

It sounds like you are already doing lots of great educational things with him, spending time with him, and I agree I don't think you need to push him to do it yet. There is such value in waiting until a child is really ready to do the materials and the things before you forge ahead, going too early will make it just a battle.

There's no lack of eagerness to do school in my house, even my 2YO plays like she is doing her "homework." But I may end up with one yet who won't want to do that, who knows?

Sounds like you're both doing fine.

I think it matters how many readiness skills ds is showing, as this varies greatly with age. To begin LHTH, dc should know some of their letters at least and be ready to learn the letter sounds. They should be ready to begin holding markers/pencils to work on large and small motor skills to get ready to write. They should be able to do hands-on math activities once a week to learn introductory math skills. They should be ready to listen to short Bible story readings, and begin to orally answer 1-3 comprehension questions about what was read each day, as well as be ready to begin doing a short devotion reading and discussion each week. Participating in Fingerplays and Rhymes, as well as completing a rotation of hands-on activities such as basic science activities, simple art projects, etc. These are all done in bite-sized increments, and in short bursts so as to hold the attention of our little ones.

So, if ds is not showing these readiness skills yet, I'd wait 3-6 months and see where he is at then. But, if ds is showing he has these readiness skills intact now, I'd begin to do a focused school time with LHTH each day. You can always begin half-speed and work your way up to full-speed as he shows he is able. I think it is good to show dc that school is important business from the start, and that it is not something done at the whim of dc when they feel like it, but rather something very important that needs to be done as mom the teacher has planned for it to be done. So, either putting it on hold until ds shows he has readiness skills to begin, or starting by doing whatever you decide to do (half-speed, or full-speed, or 3 days a week, or whatever you choose and share with ds) consistently would be better than a once and awhile approach.


You'd asked if it was normal for ds not to be wanting to do preschool all of the time. Good question! I have 3 sons, and they do enjoy school, but they also love their play time, their outdoor time, and their free time. If given the choice between doing school which does involve some work, or free time which is usually just play time, they would more than likely choose to play. I think this is pretty normal. If we were to ask boys attending ps if they would rather go to school for the day or stay home and play, I think about 99% would say stay home and play. It's been very helpful to me as my dc's teacher through the years for them to know that when we start school, we are doing very important work that needs to be done each day without question or argument. I just wanted to throw that out there, as this has been HUGELY helpful to me over the years, and opinions are formed young. But, I think the biggest consideration is if ds is ready to begin LHTH, and if he is, I definitely would! HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

Thanks ladies!

I do feel that he is getting "enough" learning and activities with the time we spend together on books, puzzles, games, etc., and I know he is definitely learning more than I know, but I've not been sure how much of his resistance to the LHTH material is not being ready or just not wanting to do it. I realize, too, now that I read Julie's response, that I might not be as committed as I need to in getting into a routine with the material for him, either. With my oldest son, we weren't sure we wanted to homeschool until it was time for kindergarten. Due to being born very prematurely, he was in OT, Speech, etc and got lots of preschool-related activities. But because our main focus was on getting him healthy and developmentally up to speed, I did not do a formal preschool program with him, and I think that if I had, some of the areas that he struggled with at first in LHFHG would have been easier. Having had that experience, and knowing that my little guy is four now, in the back of my head I'm thinking he'll be five next year and it will be time for kindergarten. So, in that sense I'm wanting to push my little guy a bit to get him ready.

Anyhow, thanks for your help! I'll think about what you all wrote, and pray about it.
Amy