Using guides at the lower age rec.

[mamabeavabjo]

Just wondering if anyone has had any trouble using the guides at the younger end of the recommened age. My dds solidly place in the guides (dd5-in Sept- for LHFHG and dd7-in Aug- for Bigger) but I'm concerned about them being at the younger end when they get into some of the more advanced guides. Going down a guide isn't really an option as I already have LHTH and dd5 knows all her letters, most sounds, numbers, and can write letters. DD7 will be combined in Bigger with dd8, and putting dd8 and dd7 into Beyond is not an option for us b/c dd8 (will be 9 in November) is advanced for her age already. And I'm not sure that my first year of HOD is the year to use 3 guides, particularly with a toddler underfoot as well! I'd love to hear anyone who has experienced this positively or negatively.
Thanks!
Stephanie

[Mom2Monkeys]

Of they place there, solidly, then go for it! You can make it a 4 day school week through a guide or two to slowly ease them a little more toward the middle age. Or you can start off at half pace taking a few weeks or a semester or even a year at this pace. Then pik up at full pace later in the year or the following fall. You would then start the next guide whenever you finish that one, even if it's mid year.

The guides do a great job at preparing dc for the next guide. So as long as they are successful at the skills in the current guide, independently doing what is meant to be independent, copying the entire amount they are assigned to copy, and making steady progress with their reading and listening skills required by the guide, you should be just fine at the lower end each year. But, don't feel bad if you need to slow down at some point. That's the joy of homeschooling! you can work at your child's pace instea of leaving them in the dust.

[KristinBeth]

We will also be at the youngest end of the guides (starting little hearts with my daughter in fall when she turns 5). I've asked this question before (can't find my own post though -- oops) and was advised to just start if the child fits on the placement skills. Plenty of people do it at the young end of the age range. It's not a "don't do it at 5 (or 7)" -- it's still part of the recommended age range .
I've heard that Beyond is where things get more challenging, but you can always go 1/2 speed when you need to if your child needs to catch up on some skills.
Good luck! We'll be right there with you!

[my3sons]

My oldest ds has always been at the youngest end of the guides and has flourished. My middle ds was on the youngest end as well, and he has done so well too! The only thing I had to do for him was to go half-speed for a bit for some of the guides. I let him ease into Bigger Hearts especially, because he is my artistic ds, and he wanted to have TONS of time to complete his art projects and to show his creativity in his hands-on projects. He has LOVED his schooling with HOD and done well every year. I just always have in the back of my mind I will slow it down for them if they need it, and half-speed for a bit has always accomplished that beautifully if the need arises. I would place your dc where they fit best according to the placement chart. Age is one small indicator of what dc can do. Just think if we took a poll of what specifically all 40 year olds (I'm thinking of me here ) could do in all school subject areas? We'd be all across the board and need different placements, I am certain. Dc are the same way. So wherever your dc place, that's where they should start, and it should then be a good fit. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

[KimS]

My son just finished LHFHG and he is on the young end of the young end 5 when we started just turning 6 last month. He has done fine but I too am a bit concerned about Beyond for him. I just asked a similar question in another post. I think I am going to start and see how it goes.