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Hi all. Hoping to find advice/encouragement from all you wonderful experienced ladies.

So, We are new to homeschooling and are doing LHTH with 3yo ds and just pulled 5yo dd out of ps and started LHFHG about 3 weeks ago. Things were going ever so smoothly, both looking forward to school and it was enjoyable for all. Starting in second week, dd started having struggles listening/retaining from stories and lessons and started struggling in reading lesson. I read in the forums that not retaining much from stories is just a phase sometimes in the beginning and over time they learn to start listening and are able to retell. So I haven't stressed too much about that. But now we are to the point (with dd) that there is a somewhat negative "do I have to" attitude with school and she is really starting to struggle with reading lessons. They are stretching out into 15+ mins just to somewhat satisfactorily complete one page and it is stressful for both me and her. I know she is ready to read, she is exhibiting her readiness throughout the day (trying to sound out letters in words, starting to recognize some words)and breezed through first two lessons but now she is seeming to retain nothing and really loose interest.

So I have two questions.
One, how do I keep school from becoming a chore-like stressful thing and make it the fun, enjoyable experience I want it to be? (while still getting lessons done!)
Two, has anyone else experienced issues like this? Do I continue with reading lesson but at slower pace or expecting less? I want my daughter to be a great reader and grow an appreciation for literature and it pains me to see her struggle so.

Thank you for your time and advice

A little down time after coming out of ps can be needed. Perhaps take a little break. You could just read to her, do half a lesson, lesson every other day, whatever works. I wouldn't push too hard. Kids need encouragement, but when it becomes a battle they likely aren't learning anything.

This is what is working for us: Going back daily and reviewing the previous 2 or 3 pages and then only adding on 1 or 2 more pages. Although it makes slow go, my daughter feels like she is accomplishing something by reviewing without struggling. Maybe just start off going back to the last lesson she understood completely then continue at a slow pace so she is not being overwhelmed and discouraged. I hope this helps.

Christina

Well, congrats on many things going well as you have brought your dd home! I'm so glad you've made the decision to homeschool. HOD has taught each of our dc to love reading so much. It is a very strong literature-based program, so I just want to encourage you that you have chosen wisely!

Teaching phonics can be tough. Honestly, I think it's hard to go back that far for us moms, as we've been reading quite awhile now. I know every time I start to teach phonics to a little one again, I have to remind myself to slow down, make it fun, and not get stressed. So, I would suggest going back to review what's been learned first. You can let your dd study the first part of what she'll be reading on her own. This gives time for dc to practice without pressure. My dc both did better when given this little time to practice. Then, I'd set the timer for 10 minutes, and enlist some treats. For every word read correctly, my ds got to eat 1 mini-marshmallow. I think for one of my dc I gave an M & M and he at them at the end. Or, if you'd rather not do treats, you can do a sticker chart of some sort and earn time for something special - but an immediate reward seemed to work best for my kiddos.

It also helped to say cheerful things, like, "You are becoming such a GOOD reader, honey!" And, "I remember when we were just trying to sing the ABC's together, and now look at you, you are READING!" I'd end every 10 minute session with some encouraging, positive comments. I think with these few ideas, your dd will be back to enjoying her reading time, and will progress in her own time. Remember she's young - she will learn to read - she'll all of a sudden blossom into it, and you'll be left wondering when exactly it happened that your dd became a reader! And just think, YOU will have taught her to do it! What a joy! HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

blessed_mama,

The ladies are doing such a good job of encouraging you! I'll just pop-in to add that coming home from a public school setting can really take some time in the transition. So, while your 5 year old may fit academically on the placement chart in LHFHG, it could be that she is having some trouble settling into "school at home". Often kiddos coming home to school for the first time have envisioned that being home will be all fun and games and that it won't be any real work like real school. It takes a bit of adjusting for them to realize that home is now a place to "school" as well as play and that as the teacher you will have expectations as far as schooling goes now too.

So, as your little honey settles into school at home, what I would recommend is to combine your 5 year old with your 3 year old in Little Hands to Heaven as her main program. Both kiddos will do all of Little Hands to Heaven together each day. Then, only add the Kindergarten 3 R's part of Little Hearts for His Glory for your 5 year old to raise the level of Little Hands to Heaven. So, add The Reading Lesson (setting the timer for 10 minutes per day and quitting when the timer rings as long as she has worked hard). Then, the next day, just pick The Reading Lesson back up again at the spot you left off the day before. Also, add a kindergarten handwriting workbook (either A Reason for Handwriting K or Italic A). Then, add the Kindergarten level math (Earlybird Singapore 2A/2B) following the hands-on lessons in the Little Hearts guide. Last, have her do Do It Carefully/Finding the Answers as scheduled in LHFHG. So, in essence, you'll be following most of the right side of the plans for Little Hearts and doing Little Hands for the rest of your child's day. Do this for as long as it needed. It may be all year. LHTH is full of wonderful Bible-based lessons and fun readiness activities. Then, the following year, head into Little Hearts with the first grade options.

Doing this will restore your daughter's love of school, will help both of you have the time you need to adjust to school at home, will include your son in the learning with big sis', and will keep your school short, while still making sure to give your daughter all the skills needed.

Hope this helps!

Blessings,
Carrie