Is LHFHG too advanced for 4 1/2 yo?

[momof3kids]

Looking at Little Hearts for my 6yo at a 1st gr level..but didn't know if that would be too advanced for younger son to follow along with?...or get him Little Hands ..his bday is jan so not technically K...would the preschool level be better for him??

[StillJulie]

I have waited til first grade, even for my exceptionally bright daughter with a December birthday. I don't hold her back in math or phonics, but for the history, science, storytime, etc. I prefer to wait for the maturity that seems to come at a little older age.

[lissiejo]

I used it for my oldest daughter at 4 1/2 because at the time I never intended to homeschool and wanted her to have something for preschool. We had already done LHTH and she was ready for something more. It was okay, but not the best fit. I wouldn't say there is no way it will work because my second daughter started LHFHG the week she turned 5. A lot of it depends on the child. Just keep in mind that the guides become progressively more demanding and although a 4 1/2 year old may manage well in LHFHG the same child may not be ready for bigger at 6 1/2.

I have thoroughly enjoyed LHFHG for K-5 and so has my daughter. My oldest has also done well progressing upward with Beyond at 1st and Bigger at 2nd. Not everyone feels that way, but our experience has been excellent at these ages and guides. I feel confident that my daughter is fully ready for Preparing next year for 3rd.

[bethelmommy]

It really is child dependent. Where does your ds place on the placement chart? Combining has worked well for us because both of my dc placed in LHFHG for everything except age (dd was 4). We also took the guide slow completing 3-4 days each week of the full guide though my oldest did math, reading and writing/spelling everyday. This has stretched the guide to last a year and a half. We will finish up the guide this summer and start Beyond this fall. When I check the placement chart now, both dc place in Beyond, though dd will still be 5 when we start. All this to say it can work if your child is ready.

[TrueGRIT]

It really depends on the child. My 4yo could do quite a bit of Little Hearts work.
Since 5yo is in Little Hearts she occasionally listens in. I have her in LHTH in part so they can each have their 'own' guide, and part because she doesn't have to officially be in school, and I don't want her going too fast. Family dynamics plays a big part in this decision as well.
LHTH only takes 15-20 minutes with her. We add in some workbooks because she wants school like big brothers. This adds in however much time you allow - we only do about 5-7 minutes of workbook time. Altogether a little less than 30 minutes total.
It takes about an hour to 15-20 minutes past that to do LHFHG with 1 child. Probably would add a bit more time with another. Time wise would be about the same with 2 guides or them combined.
I know a 4 yo could easily do the first part of LHFHG. The last, it is different for every child. For us, I think it is more than I would want before 5 1/2.
That is for our family.

[countrymom]

I did Little Hearts with my oldest at 4 1/2 and he is a very good student. But there are so many skills packed in each guide and as you advance I personally feel the younger child starts to lose some of the benefits due to age. I slowed my son down by beginning both Beyond and Bigger and 1/2 speed and he would not have been able to start Bigger full speed. We are at Preparing now and going 1/2 speed. For my younger I am running Little Hearts at an older age. I would not start Little Hearts at 4 1/2 again. You can always do math and writing/reading at whatever level your child is at, but I would begin with Little Hands.

[momof3kids]

I think LHTH may be good for him. i don't know if i see him being still for the hr to hr 1/2 or so to do LHFHG...still deciding though if Little Hearts or Beyond is the best fit fot my 6yo who is advanced reader.....?

[MomtoJGJE]

I would do Beyond with a 6yo. You could even add in DITHOR if you wanted to beef up the reading.

[lissiejo]

My daughter did Beyond last year at 6 and excelled! She too was an advanced reader. I'll be using that one again for my next 6-year-old in the fall!

[my3sons]

It all depends on the child, though 5 yo is typically the youngest age suggested for doing LHFHG. The placement chart is a good way to see if this would be a good placement. Also, I think it is important to think about how long you'd expect to spend doing LHFHG. It can easily be done over 1 1/2 years, for example, which would mean your 4 1/2 yo would then be 6 yo to do Beyond Little Hearts. A nice pacing for some students is to do LHFHG, Beyond, and Bigger Hearts spread out over 4 years instead of 3 years. Some families do this by doing school about 4 days a week instead of 5, taking a day off each week. We have done this ourselves and loved it, having 2 of our dc begin LHFHG at 4 1/2 yo and spread it out over time. However, it all depends on your 4 1/2 yo. What are your thoughts when you check out the placement chart with your little one in mind? Here's that link...
http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php

In Christ,
Julie

[momof3kids]

Thanks so much!...after my last posting, i had actually decided to order LHTH for my 4 yo son....i felt this would give me a better idea of what he is ready for, and what he already knows...also, i wanted to see how HOD actually works. i think this was a good decision!..we received the program yesterday..and have already completed 4 lessons!...my son is asking to do it all day...so, we did more..he is SOO excited about it..and we had the extra time, so we ended up doing a couple...didn't really want to tell him no i guess!...he really liked it....So, now i will just see when we finish LHTH and go from there...he will be 5 next jan, and maybe ready for more then..LHFHG??..also still deciding what to do for older son next fall who will be 6yo...(Beyond or LHFGH..i mentioned in another post as well?) we'll see, but already happy with LHTH!

[my3sons]

Oh, that's great! I'm glad your little honey will get to do "Little Hands to Heaven!" I look at that as a microversion of school that helps the next expanded version in LHFHG go so smoothly. Little Hands was a wonderful way to introduce our dc to homeschooling. I am sad we are done with it, as I loved it all 3 times I got to do it with each of our boys through the years. I'd sub for you if you were my neighbor, but since we are not, I'll have to wait for grandkids! Have fun with it, and LHFHG will be waiting in the wings whenever you finish! Thanks for the update.

In Christ,
Julie