Using Beyond with a 5 1/2 year old....

[LeAnna]

I have talked to one mom about using Beyond with a 5 1/2 year old, but wanted to ask some more of you too about using it.
We are using LHFHG right now, with no problems, other than sometimes we need to slow down on handwriting. I have not started The Reading lesson with her yet, because I wanted to focus on reading with my 6 year old. My question is, is she going to be ready to right into Beyond with just starting to learn how to read? Also, I was planning to move ahead to A Reason For Handwriting A with her, just to help her a bit. She is still learning, so I am wondering if the spelling, etc. might be a bit much for her. I hate to have to find something else for her to use for a filler, but I don't want it to be too hard for her.

Thanks much!
LeAnna

[Carrie]

You happened to catch me on the board, so I'll chime to answer your post with my thoughts first. I'm sure other moms will be along to add their wise 2 cents too.

I know moms who have done Beyond with a 5 and 1/2 year old. My own sister is doing that very thing this year. She is underway with Beyond with her 5 and 1/2 year old right now, and he will turn 6 in March. He's doing just fine and enjoying school.

If your 5 year old is able to listen to the readings in LHFHG, then she'll be able to listen to the ones in Beyond as well. You'll most likely want to pick either the Boy or Girl Interest Set (or a combination) to read-aloud, rather than the classic books, as the classic set requires a more seasoned listener.

I also wouldn't start the spelling words in Beyond with your daughter, until she is at least 9-18 weeks into learning to read. So, you'd just wait on the spelling lists for her until then and start them mid-year.

As far as the handwriting goes, I wouldn't worry about rushing her there either. You can easily have her do "A Reason for Handwriting 'A' in place of the copywork in Beyond to make that area better fit your daughter. The rest of Beyond she should be fine doing as is.

One other option you may want to consider is doing Beyond as a 4-day plan to allow your daughter time to grow up while you're doing Beyond. Then, you'd just go 9 weeks into the next school year to finish Beyond, and she'd be right on track age-wise to start Bigger right along with your son.

As a back-up plan, you could always downshift into doing Beyond at half-speed if needed and then bump up to full-speed when your daughter seems ready.

All of these options will allow you to keep your 2 kiddos together, which will work great for you in the long-run. It will also allow your kiddos to get the added benefit from the HOD guides building one upon another.

Blessings,
Carrie

[crlacey]

I am having this same problem. We tried day one in Beyond and DD sat through it, but you could tell that it was a little much for her. My DD was able to do both spelling lists, but didn't really enjoy all the history. So we are focusing on reading, writing and math for now. For fun, we are creating an animal notebook where she draws the animal on the page and then we write 3-4 sentences about the animal. I'll pull out Beyond again in a few months when she can enjoy it more.

[Carrie]

Crystal,

You definitely know your daughter best, and it sounds like what you're doing is working fine for you for now, but I did just want to mention that maybe doing Beyond at half-speed would be an option for easing your daughter into the learning and readings in Beyond. With my boys I've found that listening to higher level read-alouds (without pictures) is a skill that takes time and the habit of attention to develop. I was amazed at how much growth my 5 year old made with LHFHG, just doing it consistently at half-speed last year.

At our house, we've always found starting a new guide to be a bit of a stretch at the beginning of the year, which is actually a good thing. That way our kiddos can gradually grow into the new learning as the year moves on. Just a thought.

Blessings,
Carrie

[yayadaisy]

I just posted one that is so similar to yours! I am thinknig of doing LHFHG with my 5 1/2 old who has a LD we held him back this year from K and now are going to home school. I am sure the ladies here will give you some great advice!!! Good luck and may God lead you in the way you should go.

Sheila mom to five great kids, one angel and one on the way!

[crlacey]

Carrie (and others),
When doing the guide at half speed, do you continue to do the handwriting and phonics each day, or do you do those only on alternate days?
Crystal

[LeAnna]

Thanks Carrie for the great ideas! I will have a 6 1/2 year old and a 5 1/2 year old using Beyond. Should I go at half speed with the older one too, so that they are at the same pace? Taking it at half pace, does it make Beyond turn into a 2 year program?


Thanks,
LeAnna

[LeAnna]

I just understood, Carrie, what you were saying about taking it 9 weeks later, and then be up to date with Bigger. I still must be tired this morning!

LeAnna

[water2wine]

I am so glad this question was asked! I knew if Julie was doing it that it could be done well. I have one that insists on turning five on me and also insists on moving on to Beyond next year so we will be in the same place. I figured worse case scenario we used the LA part of Beyond for Bigger if need be. I am glad to hear about which books to pick I did not realize the classic books took a more advanced listener. So we will definitely go with the Girl's interest books.

I love how there is always a way to get what you want out of HOD!

[Carrie]

LeAnna,

I'm so sorry to be confusing! I ended up popping in to chat with Crystal too (and giving her different advice based on her sweetie's needs and age) from the advice I gave you. So, I apologize for confusing you all.

It sounds like you understood now what I meant. If you have other questions, ask away!

Crystal,
I've found that it is good to keep going with phonics daily or at least 4 times a week to make sure that learning doesn't lapse from day-to-day. The handwriting can easily go to alternating by day without causing difficulty. I also found that I had to adjust my expectations as far as how much my little guy was retaining from day-to-day with the history readings when doing them at half-speed. However, he still retained more than I expected, and I was pleasantly surprised with his improved level of interest as time went on. In the beginning months, he seemed very fidgety and stared off into space a lot, but I just kept on and over time he's been able to answer questions and retell so much better after the readings. It just takes time. Focused listening is a skill to be learned, just like writing or reading. It doesn't happen automatically, and some adults have never honed this skill!

water2wine,

I'm so glad that you found some helpful advice in this thread. Hopefully it made sense to you.

Blessings,
Carrie