LHTH with a new Reader: Ideas?

[julsoliveira]

Guess who started reading last week? Our 4 yr old son! I knew he was getting close, but I wasn't really expecting it. So...Now what do we do? lol. Keep using LHTH as written, and supplement with with phonics? Maybe start using the reading lesson phonics that's scheduled for Kinder, in place/in addition to the daily letter sounds finger play? Hmm... He can read most 3-4 letter words and few 5 letter words. Bob books, Dick and Jane, level 1 readers. I borrowed the McGuffy primer from the library and he's flying through it. *sigh* Can't he just stay little for one more year? I'm not in a hurry for the last little one to hit these big boy milestones so quickly Not really ready for Kinder, but kind of outgrowing LHTH

[countrymom]

I would just do LHTH as is and give him opportunities to read library books, etc. I wouldn't even start phonics until next year. There are so many other skills to build I wouldn't let the reading guide your placement. I love the way LHTH and LHFHG builds in so many "hidden" skills with fun activities like the action rhymes. With my oldest son I didn't realize the importance of all the activities as much, but by the time my younger came through I realized the genius in the creation of those two lowest guides. We are so blessed with HOD!

[my3sons]

As pp shared, you could easily wait to begin phonics until next year. This is a good option to consider. Or, you could just as easily begin phonics in a low-key way now with "The Reading Lesson." This is also a good option to consider. If you are inclined to think your dd needs a little more added to LHTH for it to be a fit now, I'd add the phonics as this is an easy way to beef up LHTH in an appropriate way as she is taking off in this area anyway. A few of our sons were ready for this during LHTH, and midway through Little Hearts for His Glory the following year, we began the Emerging Reader's Set. HOD makes it easy to customize reading for our dc's needs, as well as writing, math, dictation, grammar, well... everything really. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

[julsoliveira]

Thanks Ladies, all great insight and ideas. He enjoys doing the hand motion songs and loves reading from "Big thoughts for little people" . I not planning to leave LHTH, just help his excitement about reading keep going. I don't want him to get bored or stagnant because I'm not feeding his little mind. Maybe we'll just keep working through the McGuffy readers until next year and then go from there with formal phonics. His Great Grandma send him "High Five" and the Older kids get "Highlights" and he loves reading those, alone and with us. Well yay! Now to work on handwriting habits.

[raindrops]

Wow! What a "problem" to have! Hehe. Your older children he has been learning from (LOL, uh, Yoda-ish sentence there...).

I think... keep on with what you're doing, obviously he is loving it!