DD5 trucking along in LHFHG = questions

[alydar]

We've made it to Unit 7 with DD5 in LHFHG. I've been doing everything + math half-speed and then her reading and FMS full-speed. The idea was to spend her first year doing K work and then the next year doing 1st grade work. Buuuuttttt......she's just plowing through everything. It's me holding her back really. This is what our days look like:

Day 1
History
Rotating Box
Rhymes
Bible Study
FMS
Math activity
The Reading Lesson

Day 2
Storytime
Review History story
FMS
Math Workbook or another reinforcing activity if no workbook scheduled
The Reading Lesson

The positive about the schedule is that it buys me a shorter day every other day. But I feel like she could probably just move on up to full-speed in all areas.

Here's my concern: she would move into Beyond as a newly 6 year old. And I know we could opt for half-speed there but I just worry about the levels after that. Is this a legitimate concern? What if she handle's Beyond with ease half-way through? Wouldn't going full-speed Beyond put her into Bigger a bit earlier than she might be able to handle? I understand it's a big step up from Beyond in the workload.

Seeking some godly counsel.

[mater est laetus]

Why not just slow down when she needs to? I would say (for what little it's worth ) meet her where she's at now and put off worrying about tomorrow until at least tomorrow. Not that I'm ANYONE to give such advice.

[MNmomto3]

I am wondering about this too. My newly six year old will start Beyond in a few weeks and she is ready but I too wonder if Bigger will be a big leap if we get there at age seven. My plan has been just move at regular pace as long as that is working and if challenges arise, adjust accordingly.

[my3sons]

I...My plan has been just move at regular pace as long as that is working and if challenges arise, adjust accordingly.

This has always been our plan, and it has worked so well. I like that it allows me to customize the pacing for each of our dc. For our oldest ds, he has always been just fine being on the youngest side of the target age range for a guide. He did Bigger Hearts at 7 yo, and it was a perfect fit. Doing it half-speed would have held him back. For my middle ds, he slowed down to half-speed with Bigger Hearts, and finished it out full-speed. That has been perfect for him. Who knows what will fit my littlest guy the best, but I'll take it as it comes?!? I think if I were you, I'd try LHFHG full-speed and see how it goes. Maybe she will be ready, and maybe she won't, but if she is - then she may as well do it. I always think this gives the flexibility to slow down whenever needed later on in the guides. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

[alydar]

Thank you ladies! After reading your posts and giving it more thought, I think we will move up to full-speed and see how it goes. And we can always adjust along the way!
What a blessing HOD is!

[twoxcell]

My dd will be starting Beyond right before she turns 6. My plan for now is to do Beyond and Bigger 4 days a week to stretch them out a bit. If Bigger gives her trouble we can always slow it down more.

[countrymom]

We started Beyond a bit before 6 because we moved through Little Hearts faster than planned. We started 1/2 speed but about lesson 9 or so (18 weeks) it became apparent he really needed to go full speed. Now we are on unit 30 of Beyond. I do plan to take 6 weeks off when we are done, but then we will just start Bigger at 1/2 speed and adjust if necessary. I have worried about down the road too, but as long as the child is clearly doing the work AND comprehending all info, it is probably better to go forward. I am really hoping to take Bigger at 1/2 speed for much longer to get the age more in line, but I guess we will see what happens.

[ForHisGlory]

I am very new to HOD, but I also have a 5 year old doing LHFHG at full speed. I cannot imagine him doing it half-pace since we do finish up rather quickly each day. However, my son is an older 5. He will be 6 in a few weeks, plus he homeschooled with his older brother, so he has that advantage. But that's just my opinion. Hope this helps! And remember, you never know unless you try!