Hi!
Has anyone used LHFHG with a 4 year old? How did it go? I noticed that MFWK is for 5 year olds or mature 4 year olds and was wondering if it was the same for LHFHG. My daughter turned 3 in March. She knows her letters and sounds and is beginning to blend sounds, but she is very much a 3 year old in all other areas. I thought she might enjoy beginning something next Spring when she is 4, but I don't want to start too early if she's not going to be ready. Just curious to hear others experiences. Thanks so much!
LHFHG for a 4 year old?
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WigglesMom
Re: LHFHG for a 4 year old?
Did you look at the placement chart and check out LHTH. http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php
It will really help you to see what is needed for LHFHG to be successful. I would think a just turned 4 year old would need to start out in the LHTH program. If you wanted to add in a beginner phonics with it and some of the R&S books that LHFHG offers, then that would be super easy to do.
HTH,
Val
It will really help you to see what is needed for LHFHG to be successful. I would think a just turned 4 year old would need to start out in the LHTH program. If you wanted to add in a beginner phonics with it and some of the R&S books that LHFHG offers, then that would be super easy to do.
HTH,
Val
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funkmomma71
- Posts: 373
- Joined: Sat Oct 11, 2008 1:54 pm
- Location: Las Vegas, NV
Re: LHFHG for a 4 year old?
We are just finishing up LHFHG, which I started with my then 4 almost 5 year-old. The amount of work is pretty high and your daughter would need to be able to sit still for storytime, answer questions, do handwriting and math. My daughter definitely needed to grow into the curriculum so I would say that you should look carefully at your daughter's maturity, if she were my daughter, and of course she is not, I would start her on LHTH and add gentle phonics instruction.
Nancy
Mommy and teacher to
Dd 12 and DS 8
Doing MTMM & Preparing 2016-2017
Mommy and teacher to
Dd 12 and DS 8
Doing MTMM & Preparing 2016-2017
Re: LHFHG for a 4 year old?
Hi Catherine! 
If you haven't been through LHTH, I'd for sure say that it is worth doing 1st! We have had a WONDERFUL year with it at our house. (If you want to peek at it I posted several times this year on the week-in-review threads.) I think that the readiness skills in LHTH would get her ready for LHFHG. My dd was 4 when we started LHTH in August. In December we added in phonics for her because she was itching to learn to read. You can do that very easily if your dd is wanting to start reading. We're using The Reading Lesson which is very user-friendly for using with young children.
I know that there are moms who do LHFHG with 4 year olds, too. If you're doing an HOD guide, and your child is below the sugested age range, I think it's best to do it half-speed for a while. You'd do the left page one day, the right page the next. This will help stretch it to last more than one school year so that by the time your child is ready for the upper guides, she's in the age range. The work picks up as you get into the older grades, so you wouldn't want to get there too soon.
Kathleen
If you haven't been through LHTH, I'd for sure say that it is worth doing 1st!
We have had a WONDERFUL year with it at our house. (If you want to peek at it I posted several times this year on the week-in-review threads.) I think that the readiness skills in LHTH would get her ready for LHFHG. My dd was 4 when we started LHTH in August. In December we added in phonics for her because she was itching to learn to read. You can do that very easily if your dd is wanting to start reading. We're using The Reading Lesson which is very user-friendly for using with young children.I know that there are moms who do LHFHG with 4 year olds, too. If you're doing an HOD guide, and your child is below the sugested age range, I think it's best to do it half-speed for a while. You'd do the left page one day, the right page the next. This will help stretch it to last more than one school year so that by the time your child is ready for the upper guides, she's in the age range. The work picks up as you get into the older grades, so you wouldn't want to get there too soon.
KathleenHomeschooling mom to 6:
Grant - 19 Kansas State University
Allison - 15 World Geography
Garret - 13 Res2Ref
Asa - 8 Bigger
Quinn - 7 Bigger
Halle - 4 LHTH
Grant - 19 Kansas State University
Allison - 15 World Geography
Garret - 13 Res2Ref
Asa - 8 Bigger
Quinn - 7 Bigger
Halle - 4 LHTH
Re: LHFHG for a 4 year old?
Hi Catherine!
My 4yo "hangs out" with us for LHFHG, but he doesn't do any of the writing or phonics (unless he asks to). He listens to most of the story time, but doesn't always answer the questions. And then sometimes we end up having deep theological discussions because of the thoughtful questions he asks!! LOL!! If it were him by himself, I don't think it would be a good fit. I would definitely wait another year or two. But that's just me--he turned 4 in December, and his ability to sit still is slim. Dd, on the other hand, would have done better at that age. But my 6yo is getting SO MUCH out of the content, because he is just that much more mature. It's fun for my 4yo, but I don't think he'll retain as much and certainly doesn't understand as much. I *plan* to go through it again with him in 2 years.
I think the main thing to consider is, a 4yo could certainly learn the skills taught in LHFHG if he/she is ready. However, it's such a rich program and the depth can easily be missed by children who aren't ready. I am guilty of starting my oldest too fast too soon (in another program), even though I truly think she was ready to learn the "mechanics" when we started. Her best friend is in the same predicament. The problem now is, my friend (her mom) has been using the same graded curriculum the entire time, and is now having trouble because she has gotten too far ahead for her dd's ability. But when you've completed "grade 3" and aren't ready for "grade 4," what do you do? She doesn't want to have her daughter repeat a grade, but she is too "structured" to wing it for a year and then pick back up.
So, think ahead and consider what will happen if you totally fall in love with HOD and stick with it for years and years. If you are someone who is a "go with the flow" type personality, you should be able to make the necessary adjustments to slow things down later if you need to. But if you're a box-checker who wants to finish each book in a year (not that this is all bad!! I have this tendency), then you may want to consider waiting. The good thing about HOD, is you CAN adjust the speed and even the levels of some of the subjects.
I hope that helps give you some things to consider!
My 4yo "hangs out" with us for LHFHG, but he doesn't do any of the writing or phonics (unless he asks to). He listens to most of the story time, but doesn't always answer the questions. And then sometimes we end up having deep theological discussions because of the thoughtful questions he asks!! LOL!! If it were him by himself, I don't think it would be a good fit. I would definitely wait another year or two. But that's just me--he turned 4 in December, and his ability to sit still is slim. Dd, on the other hand, would have done better at that age. But my 6yo is getting SO MUCH out of the content, because he is just that much more mature. It's fun for my 4yo, but I don't think he'll retain as much and certainly doesn't understand as much. I *plan* to go through it again with him in 2 years.
I think the main thing to consider is, a 4yo could certainly learn the skills taught in LHFHG if he/she is ready. However, it's such a rich program and the depth can easily be missed by children who aren't ready. I am guilty of starting my oldest too fast too soon (in another program), even though I truly think she was ready to learn the "mechanics" when we started. Her best friend is in the same predicament. The problem now is, my friend (her mom) has been using the same graded curriculum the entire time, and is now having trouble because she has gotten too far ahead for her dd's ability. But when you've completed "grade 3" and aren't ready for "grade 4," what do you do? She doesn't want to have her daughter repeat a grade, but she is too "structured" to wing it for a year and then pick back up.
So, think ahead and consider what will happen if you totally fall in love with HOD and stick with it for years and years. If you are someone who is a "go with the flow" type personality, you should be able to make the necessary adjustments to slow things down later if you need to. But if you're a box-checker who wants to finish each book in a year (not that this is all bad!! I have this tendency), then you may want to consider waiting. The good thing about HOD, is you CAN adjust the speed and even the levels of some of the subjects.
I hope that helps give you some things to consider!
dd9 - Preparing with R&S 3 and Singapore 2
ds7 - LHFHG
ds5 - LHFHG
dd1.5 - in charge of hiding all our pencils
ds7 - LHFHG
ds5 - LHFHG
dd1.5 - in charge of hiding all our pencils
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Catherine
Re: LHFHG for a 4 year old?
Thank you ladies for all of the wonderful advice! Mariaw - it really made sense to me when you said, "it's such a rich program and the depth can easily be missed by children who aren't ready. I am guilty of starting my oldest too fast too soon (in another program), even though I truly think she was ready to learn the "mechanics" when we started."
I never really thought about it from that angle before, but that really makes sense. Even though she may be academically ready for portions of it, she'll be so much more ready to understand the Bible studies and Scripture if I wait a little longer.
LHTH looks like a sweet, fun program. Will it be good for her even if she already knows her letters and sounds?
I never really thought about it from that angle before, but that really makes sense. Even though she may be academically ready for portions of it, she'll be so much more ready to understand the Bible studies and Scripture if I wait a little longer.
LHTH looks like a sweet, fun program. Will it be good for her even if she already knows her letters and sounds?
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momontheprairie
- Posts: 35
- Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2009 9:51 pm
- Location: Alabama AND Minnesota
Re: LHFHG for a 4 year old?
My four year old (5 in August) is really, REALLY, loving LHFHG. I have the coloring book that goes with Little Pilgrims and she is doing Queen's LLFLO for thinking/phonics. She has been very used to sitting for long read alouds for most of her life though. 
She is the youngest and has had lots of practice listening, so this may be why it is working out so well for her.
She is the youngest and has had lots of practice listening, so this may be why it is working out so well for her.Carrie
Married to Major Dan for the last 13 years.
Preparing with ds 11, 9, and 7
Little Hearts with dd 4
Everyone does MUS, Queen's LL, Latin, and Bedell at mealtimes
Married to Major Dan for the last 13 years.
Preparing with ds 11, 9, and 7
Little Hearts with dd 4
Everyone does MUS, Queen's LL, Latin, and Bedell at mealtimes
Re: LHFHG for a 4 year old?
I'm wondering the same thing.Catherine wrote:
LHTH looks like a sweet, fun program. Will it be good for her even if she already knows her letters and sounds?
Katherine
ds 9, Preparing
dd just turned 6, LHFHG
dd 3
and 15 mo old 3 days a week
ds 9, Preparing
dd just turned 6, LHFHG
dd 3
and 15 mo old 3 days a week
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WigglesMom
Re: LHFHG for a 4 year old?
Definitely, my ds loves it even though he already knows his sounds. You do a lot more than just pre-reading skills. You learn about character, colors, numbers, patterns, you do dramatic play, and so much more...lots of paints and motor skills practice which is essential to writing. If you jump ahead, you miss the fine motor skills practice and jump into workbook practice for writing which most can not do well until they master the pincer grip and build fine motor skills. There are so many tactile activities that teach the writing of the letter and work on motor skills.
If you want to work on more pre-reading or begin some reading, Hooked on Phonics has a beginner reader set that starts out pretty well in that path or you could start The Reading Lesson or Reading Made Easy. I think you wouldn't need a math b/c it covers so much in a hands on way that is not workbook led. I think it is much better at this age to teach by doing than to put a workbook in front of them. However, Singapore Earlybird Kindergarten 1a/1b is pretty gentle. If you can't find it the Singapore K A (just the A) book is it's replacement.
My oldest could read at 3 yrs old and I pushed her to do more b/c I knew she could do more. It doesn't make them like learning and at some point their advancement at this age tapers off to more their peers and their peers catch up in reading especially. Around 3rd or 4th grade most children that have had reading instruction will be around the same capability. I wouldn't push ahead based on reading alone. There is so much more to take into account. If you move them forward b/c of readiness to read alone, then you have to say ok at 5 I want her to be doing sums and difference and at 6 multiplication and division, likewise, the history levels raise and have material more suitable for more mature children as well as science notebooking and experiments at 6 and 7, and the science will need higher math understanding as it goes up as well.
Buy one of the LHFHG reading programs and use it with LHTH and do the rest as is would be my advise. Take it from someone who has been there and done that. It isn't worth it. Your children won 't always want to sing silly songs and do fingerplays with you. They grow up fast. Like the song says "Let them be little..."
Val
If you want to work on more pre-reading or begin some reading, Hooked on Phonics has a beginner reader set that starts out pretty well in that path or you could start The Reading Lesson or Reading Made Easy. I think you wouldn't need a math b/c it covers so much in a hands on way that is not workbook led. I think it is much better at this age to teach by doing than to put a workbook in front of them. However, Singapore Earlybird Kindergarten 1a/1b is pretty gentle. If you can't find it the Singapore K A (just the A) book is it's replacement.
My oldest could read at 3 yrs old and I pushed her to do more b/c I knew she could do more. It doesn't make them like learning and at some point their advancement at this age tapers off to more their peers and their peers catch up in reading especially. Around 3rd or 4th grade most children that have had reading instruction will be around the same capability. I wouldn't push ahead based on reading alone. There is so much more to take into account. If you move them forward b/c of readiness to read alone, then you have to say ok at 5 I want her to be doing sums and difference and at 6 multiplication and division, likewise, the history levels raise and have material more suitable for more mature children as well as science notebooking and experiments at 6 and 7, and the science will need higher math understanding as it goes up as well.
Buy one of the LHFHG reading programs and use it with LHTH and do the rest as is would be my advise. Take it from someone who has been there and done that. It isn't worth it. Your children won 't always want to sing silly songs and do fingerplays with you. They grow up fast. Like the song says "Let them be little..."
Val
Re: LHFHG for a 4 year old?
We used LHTH with my son when he was 4 turning 5, even though he already knew his letters and sounds. We just added on a beginning phonics program and a handwriting workbook from LHFHG along with it. You could do this as well and even add the Rod and Staff Do It Carefully/Finding the Answers workbooks along with it too. Then, when you moved your daughter into LHFHG the following year, you would do the first grade options along with it (having done the K options this year). Just a thought, so you wouldn't miss the wonderful Bible content along with the joy of sharing LHTH with your kiddo. I've never regretted the time spent in LHTH with my son, even though he knew much of what was within the program. The Bible content alone was wonderful for his little heart (and mine) and he was able to take a much deeper meaning from LHFHG the following year.
Blessings,
Carrie
Blessings,
Carrie
Re: LHFHG for a 4 year old?
kiloyd wrote:I'm wondering the same thing.Catherine wrote:
LHTH looks like a sweet, fun program. Will it be good for her even if she already knows her letters and sounds?
Based on her age, I'd recommend you hold off on LHFHG next spring. I started LHTH last fall but it wasn't a good fit for my daughter as she already knew her letter sounds among other things. So we took a break and in January we started LHFHG. She was still four but turned five at the beginning of March. We did it half pace for the first month and a half and it went well. We now go full pace and take a lot of breaks for fun!
I say LHFHG is good if your 4 year old is capable of sitting for longer readings (I do mine at lunch while they are eating and even my 2 year old will answer my questions about the reading!) and if your child likes to be challenged. Some do not and at that age I wouldn't recommend pushing her. I still think your child needs to be an older 4 to start LHFHG if you are still leaning that way like maybe Late fall of 2010. But I did it and it was a much better fit for us than LHTH was based on her abilities.
You are the best judge of your child's abilities and capabilities. Trust your instincts.
Jessi
~~~~~~~~~
Wife to Brad for 10 years
Emma- 7 Beyond, DITHOR,
Logan- 4.5 LHTH, R & S workbooks
www.ourmodernmemories.blogspot.com - personal blog
www.modernmemoryfilms.com - our wedding videography site
~~~~~~~~~
Wife to Brad for 10 years
Emma- 7 Beyond, DITHOR,
Logan- 4.5 LHTH, R & S workbooks
www.ourmodernmemories.blogspot.com - personal blog
www.modernmemoryfilms.com - our wedding videography site
Re: LHFHG for a 4 year old?
Both LHTH and LHFHG are wonderful programs, so it depends on your goals for your dd. I'd lean toward doing LHTH with the K options of LHFHG, and then doing LHFHG when she's 5. But, my goals may be different from yours! It's always a tricky thing to balance what a smart little cookie "can'' do, with what might be "too much" to do. Both of my dc knew their letters and sounds going into LHTH, but I still wanted to do it with them for the rest of the program. I felt like I'd be missing making those initial memories with them, and I felt like LHFHG would be a bit too much. We began LHFHG when one of my sons was just shy of 5, and it took him a bit to grow into it. We did it half-speed for awhile, and then it was great. So, you will know what is best, but the good news is - you have 2 great programs to pick from!
In Christ,
Julie
It's always a tricky thing to balance what a smart little cookie "can'' do, with what might be "too much" to do. Both of my dc knew their letters and sounds going into LHTH, but I still wanted to do it with them for the rest of the program. I felt like I'd be missing making those initial memories with them, and I felt like LHFHG would be a bit too much. We began LHFHG when one of my sons was just shy of 5, and it took him a bit to grow into it. We did it half-speed for awhile, and then it was great. So, you will know what is best, but the good news is - you have 2 great programs to pick from! In Christ,
Julie
Enjoyed LHTH to USII
Currently using USI
Wife to Rich for 28 years
Mother to 3 sons, ages 23, 20, and 16
Sister to Carrie
Currently using USI
Wife to Rich for 28 years
Mother to 3 sons, ages 23, 20, and 16
Sister to Carrie
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Catherine
Re: LHFHG for a 4 year old?
I've decided to follow everyone's advice and purchase LHTH for right now. It was shipped today and I can't wait to get it! I'll explore the possibility of starting her with LHFHG next Fall if she seems ready. Although I can't wait to begin, I know she really just wants to be a kid, explore the great outdoors, and have fun. I might as well do those things while I still can! I'll continue working with her informally as long as she seems to enjoy it. We played around with the first few pages of the Reading Lesson today and she LOVED that. I'll be poking around the forums often. I'm new here, but I can already sense the warm community feel here.
~Catherine
P.S. Carrie - I think it's great that you are so involved in the forums considering all that you have going on. Thanks for taking the time to respond to my posts!
I'll continue working with her informally as long as she seems to enjoy it. We played around with the first few pages of the Reading Lesson today and she LOVED that. I'll be poking around the forums often. I'm new here, but I can already sense the warm community feel here. ~Catherine
P.S. Carrie - I think it's great that you are so involved in the forums considering all that you have going on. Thanks for taking the time to respond to my posts!
Re: LHFHG for a 4 year old?
Oh, have fun, Catherine!Catherine wrote:I've decided to follow everyone's advice and purchase LHTH for right now. It was shipped today and I can't wait to get it! I'll explore the possibility of starting her with LHFHG next Fall if she seems ready. Although I can't wait to begin, I know she really just wants to be a kid, explore the great outdoors, and have fun. I might as well do those things while I still can!
~Catherine
P.S. Carrie - I think it's great that you are so involved in the forums considering all that you have going on. Thanks for taking the time to respond to my posts!
I know you will enjoy LHTH so much, and you can always add in the K options of LHFHG if you are desiring more for your little honey at some point. They're only little like that for such a short time - what a blessing we get to share in their joy of learning and exploring! Be sure to share your box day - we love box days around here. In Christ,
Julie
Enjoyed LHTH to USII
Currently using USI
Wife to Rich for 28 years
Mother to 3 sons, ages 23, 20, and 16
Sister to Carrie
Currently using USI
Wife to Rich for 28 years
Mother to 3 sons, ages 23, 20, and 16
Sister to Carrie
Re: LHFHG for a 4 year old?
Catherine,
Enjoy your box day! We'll be doing LHTH this year too, and I can't wait to see my little one soaking up all of the wonderful Bible stories and God's word! My little Beau is the end of my crew, so I'll be especially enjoying the journey this time through LHTH!
Blessings,
Carrie
Enjoy your box day! We'll be doing LHTH this year too, and I can't wait to see my little one soaking up all of the wonderful Bible stories and God's word! My little Beau is the end of my crew, so I'll be especially enjoying the journey this time through LHTH!
Blessings,
Carrie