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Question about combining 2 boys, ages 8.5 and 6:

8yo seems to be placed in Bigger appropriately. 6yo seems to fit the LHFHG in terms of mechanics and writing abilities. Reading & comprehension - he is ahead.

I ALSO have 3 younger children ages 4, 2 and 4mos. We also do a special diet so it is very hectic right now.
I am wondering if I can combine the boys on the history & art, science or if that will be too far of a reach for my 6yo. I tried 2 years ago to do beyond with both and that was too tough for ages 6 & 4. but the difference between him being 4 then and now 6 is huge, I know. We utilize the library a ton. So even if we don't combine exactly, do I need to do the LHFHG level in every subject for the 6yo?

What would your advice be, in terms of keeping the simplest schedule possible to allow for some (needed) down time and time for me with preschoolers. (whether we do a program or not) to do 2 separate programs entirely? or combining in some way. (I have the Bigger program on the way, don't have another program purchased yet.)

thank you!!

You could combine the 6 &8 year-olds for storytime, but I don't think there is much else in Bigger where it would really be a good idea to combine them. Bigger is quite a step up from Beyond. Has your 8-year old already completed Beyond? If not you could consider trying Beyond with them both again, and beefing it up for the older one.

It sounds like, though, that perhaps you would be better off letting your oldest do Bigger and trying to combine the next two. You could work on language arts and math (from either LHFHG or Beyond, wherever he places) with your second child, and have him do storytime with the oldest if you want. Has your 4 year-old done LHTH? If not, your 4 and 6 year-olds could do the Bible readings and activities together from in there. My oldest loved joining in on LHTH even at age 7, and it does help them know their Bible stories well. All of LHTH takes less than half an hour a day. You could add a few quality books from the library for your six year old. Or you could do do LHFHG half speed with the 4 and 6 year olds if your 4 year-old is ready.

The difference between LHFHG and BHFHG is mammoth! It would honestly be easier not to combine. Often times, those oldest dc just take off...
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LHFHG takes about 1 1/2 hours tops to do. BHFHG takes about 2 1/2 hours or so to do. It is easier to have your oldest work on some independent things, teach your LHFHG, maybe combine for Storytime, and have your LHFHG child finish earlier - then trying to s-t-r-e-t-c-h LHFHG child to do BHFHG. The stretching adds SO MUCH time to the day. It slows down the older, adds frustration to the day, and makes the younger feel like they are not good at school.

You could definitely do the Storytime together, only doing Bigger Heart's Storytime if you wanted. You could also have them sing their Bible music while getting ready for breakfast. Say their verses at the breakfast table. Read their Storytime book at lunch. Really doing LHFHG and BHFHG at the same time is not difficult. I would look ahead to combining 2 and 4 yo dc though. Or, if your 4 yo is almost 5 yo, I'd consider combining that child with the 6 yo in LHFHG. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie