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I want to look at what to do next year. I love LHFHG program and I am really sure I don't even want to see what else is out there. It's exactly what I would put together if I had lots and lots of spare time to find the best and put it together.

So my question is, what do we do next year? My oldest if 5 and doing LHFHG. We will finish in April most likely and I want to start our new program soon after. He turns 6 in July. We started LHFHG last March doing it a few times throughout the summer so we only do it 4 days a week now. He is starting to read emerging readers with help. So do we repeat LHFHG with the older kids stuff or move on to BLHFHG?

I also have a 3 yr old who could possibly move into LHFHG next year. He knows all his letters and most of the phonics. He is starting to write letters already and trying to sound out words. He turns 4 in June. Should I start him so soon on LHFHG?

I have tried LHTH but just didn't like it much. I felt it was adding one more thing on my list to do that my kids learned quicker in other ways. I considered trying again this year with my 3yr old but sometimes I struggle to get LHFHG done. Our lives have gotten so busy.

I'm sorry this is so long and I appreciate any help I can get.

Hi Amy!

I'm so glad you are having a great year with LHFHG! Me, too (with my middle son)!

With my oldest son, we were in exactly the same situation you are. I think I'd suggest starting Beyond... and moving into it slowly. I think everyone enjoys something new when finishing a curriculum - both mom and child! You also will have the advantage of taking longer to do it, since he is young. If he's turning 6 in July, you could do it 4 days a week and still be on track. You could even do the left side of the plans one day, and the right side of the plans the next day. We did that the first 2-4 weeks of school. It just eased us into it so nicely. Also, you can just keep on using the emerging readers, and whenever you finish, and you feel he's ready, you could start Drawn into the Reading, Level 2/3.

As far as your 3 year old, I think I'd still do LHTH. You may find that the reason it didn't click was either because your child wasn't at the right stage for it, or you had your hands full with other things (boy do I understand that!). It only takes about 20 min. a day to do, and it is very age appropriate, especially activity-wise. You could just do the rhymes/fingerplays for fun (instead of for letters/phonics learning), and add in a phonics program (maybe The Reading Lesson), since your child already knows his letters and sounds and is starting to try to blend. You could also do the Do It Carefully/Finding the Answers Rod and Staff workbooks and the A Reason for Handwriting K if you want your child to start writing like that more. Then, the next year, when you do LHFHG, you could have him do Thinking Skills and A Reason for Handwriting A.

I'll be interested to hear other people's answers too - this is just one scenario - you certainly know best, and will probably have a better feel for what you want to do as the time to choose gets closer. I hope you have a great Sat., and hats off to you for thinking ahead!

Amy,

I'm so glad that you're getting a chance to use and enjoy "Little Hearts...". We are using it with our third son right now, and both loving it.

My3sons gave you such great advice. I would move on to "Beyond..." also. It sounds like your oldest one will be ready.

As to your little ones, I -of course- am biased, but I would give "Little Hands...." a real try. It's short and sweet each day. It's one of our favorite things to do with our little ones. I'm actually sad that I have only one more little one to do it with.

However, if it doesn't seem to be your style, you could have your little one just listen along and join in with the parts of "Beyond..." that work for him/her. Both my older sons loved the history stories and the read-alouds from "Beyond...". When we did it last year, my then 4 year-old could also listen in and participate with quite a few parts.

Then, for your 4 year old's reading, writing, and math, you could just follow the schedule on the right side of the plans for "Little Hearts..." and have that child listen in with your older child to the left side of the plans from "Beyond...". That way you'd integrate them together for history, and they'd each have their own language arts, math, and writing.

These are just a few more options to mull around. There's so many ways to approach this and still have a successful school year. You'll know what suits your family's style best. Hope that helps!

Blessings,
Carrie