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My kiddos aren't really cooperating with "the little plan" I had figured out for starting guides/combining (this should come as no surprise!!). We've been slowly working through LHTH with the 3 littles along with doing many other educational activities and reading a TON of books. Our 7yo has Down syndrome and I am aware and accepting of the fact that I'll really have no idea how he will progress with his skills and move through guides. For him, I'm focusing on "the basics" and life skills and everything else is gravy on top! I had *really* hoped to combine my 2 little girls that are 22mo. apart sometime in the future. I know I shouldn't even be thinking about/worrying about this right now but I do!! My 4yo (turned 4 in June) is now reading the Emerging Reader set (she's reading The Beginner's Bible right now). We started off with The Reading Lesson and the Bob Books and all of the sudden she started reading everything she could get her little hands on. She is just starting to write some letters and numbers and isn't as advanced in her writing skills as she is with reading at this point. I had planned to start her in LHFHG when she was 6yo and Josie was 4yo and go half-speed for a while in order to combine them- but now I think that would be holding her way back. Are there really any kiddos out there that successfully do LHFHG starting as a 4.5yo (maybe starting out half-speed)? I'm thinking/hoping that even if I start her out in LHFHG sooner than later, my other little one may catch up eventually so that I can combine them. I have major fears about running 3 guides someday!! I know some people do it and it works for them...... I just think I'm too uptight to let things "go" around the house go in order to successfully run 3 guides. I'm sure if that's what it takes though, God will equip me for the challenge! Thanks for any advice you can offer.

First of all, if they are appropriately placed, you don't have to let things go around the house to do school

Second of all, my third started out LHFHG at somewhere around 4.5. We did half speed roughly 3 days per week.... basically whenever we got around to it, but that was the average. I was trying to combine her and my second. But my second took off with skills and Julianna was still fine with our very slow pace. So I kept her half speed for a LONG time, then went to full speed just 3-4 days per week average. Then she took off and I ended up doubling up some days at the end I could probably work to combine them now, but it's working well, so I think I'll keep doing what I'm doing and if Julianna catches up to where Grace is then so be it and we'll combine then.

So all that to say, yes I think starting LHFHG at 4.5 is fine if they are ready and you are ready and you are prepared to slow down or speed up when needed

mommyofmany wrote: We started off with The Reading Lesson and the Bob Books and all of the sudden she started reading everything she could get her little hands on. She is just starting to write some letters and numbers and isn't as advanced in her writing skills as she is with reading at this point.

I think MomtoJGJE gave you some good insight on being able to start LHFHG at 4.5.

I wanted to share coming more from the place of having an oldest who is very advanced in reading (far above grade level), and who figured it out on his own very young (started reading at ages 3 - 4). His writing has never kept up with his reading. So what I want to share is that at age 10 Preparing is still a good fit for him for 4th grade due to his writing skills. In other words, you don't know what will happen down the road with her writing or whether she will or will not be able to combine in the future.

I thought too I would share my daily verse with you that I adopted when my own child with Down Sydrome was born because ever since then it has been too easy for me to 'worry' about her future (health or otherwise) or get overwhelmed with daily life:

Matthew 6:34 (NKJV)
Jesus said, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."

I know it isn't easy, especially with the challenges of a DS child in the home, to always cast our cares upon the LORD. The LORD though has been teaching me to commit & cast all my cares, worries, troubles, future concerns, and burdens upon Him. He has also been teaching me in home schooling to make decisions based upon our needs today, and not to worry or think about what it will look like in the future until we get there. Perhaps when you get to the place of needing 3 guides you will be ready!

It sounds like starting her now in LHFHG half speed is a good plan. You could start and see where it goes.

Your home schooling with a T21 child has inspired me in the past & is inspiring to me today. Thank you & God Bless.

HTH

LovingJesus hit on something that I have figured out and love about HOD. HOD lets you use what you need for math and language arts, so you can customize those to where your child is at. My daughter placed into Beyond this year, but I realized eventually that LHFHG was best for her. She didn't need to be pushed in history, etc yet. She needs time to stay young and enjoy learning. She loves school work, but I saw a few times when I pushed her too hard that she revolted and started to dislike school. So, we took a few days off, and she began to love it once again.

So my advice is to take things at her speed. Maybe add in some fun books at this age and not do just the Emerging Reader set. I know DITHOR has a good amount of writing in it, so you will have a gap to fill at one point or another. Let her start LHFHG, but follow her lead. If she only wants to do it 2 days a week, that is fine. If she asks to do it more often, add in the books in the appendix to spread it out. Give her time to advance in writing so she is ready for Beyond.

MomtoJGJE wrote:First of all, if they are appropriately placed, you don't have to let things go around the house to do school

I agree, properly placed kiddos makes a big difference! Our situation is a little different than most families in that we have a couple of children with special needs. Our 8yo (we adopted at birth) has some significant behavioral/attention challenges that even with medication and behavioral therapy continue to affect how smoothly and timely our school day runs. I have to spend much more time keeping him on track during work that should be done fairly independently (we're using CLE for math, most of LA, and reading). I'm hopeful that as he gets older, he'll progress in how much work he can do truly independently- although I'm doing my best to accept that I may always need to provide more direction than with a "typical" kiddo.

Thanks for sharing your ideas about pacing for LHFHG! I think starting out half-speed just a few days a week will be great for her (and me) at this point. Once her other skills come along we can increase the time we spend in the guide.

LovingJesus wrote: I thought too I would share my daily verse with you that I adopted when my own child with Down Syndrome was born because ever since then it has been too easy for me to 'worry' about her future (health or otherwise) or get overwhelmed with daily life:

Matthew 6:34 (NKJV)
Jesus said, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."

I know it isn't easy, especially with the challenges of DS child in the home, to always cast our cares upon the LORD. The LORD though has been teaching me to commit & cast all my cares, worries, troubles, future concerns, and burdens upon Him. He has also been teaching me in home schooling to make decisions based upon our needs today, and not to worry or think about what it will look like in the future until we get there. Perhaps when you get to the place of needing 3 guides you will be ready!

Thank you LovingJesus!! Your reply nearly brings tears to my eyes! That is actually the verse the Lord led me to while in was in the hospital right after Matty was born!! What a beautiful reminder for me to live in the precious present day the Lord has made!

mommyofmany wrote: Thank you LovingJesus!! Your reply nearly brings tears to my eyes! That is actually the verse the Lord led me to while in was in the hospital right after Matty was born!! What a beautiful reminder for me to live in the precious present day the Lord has made!

He led us to the same verse in the hospital! This brings tears to my eyes. It has given me strength, in so many moments with her, that I certainly don't have!

Thanks for being so wonderful, ladies! The Lord has surely blessed us at HOD with each and every one of you. I loved reading this thread.

In Christ,
Julie