Preparing for 6 and 8?

[mofbethany]

Hello!

We are new to the board but have used HOD since kindergarten, starting at age 4 1/2 with LHFHG for my oldest daughter, and LHTH with my son who is 21 months younger than she. My daughter is now 7 and just completing Bigger, and my son is almost 6 and finished LHFHG in January. Once my son finished, we moved to first grade math (we do use Singapore), started the Emerging readers (still in the Early Readers Bible), and combined history, Bible, and science with my daughter (who again, is in Bigger).

The kiddos are a bit frustrated with taking our summer break in the middle of a program, so we were thinking we were going to just continue with math, english, and reading, and supplement bible, history, and science with some major projects to finish out the next couple of months. We will start break at the beginning of May and begin next school year in the middle of July (seemingly with Preparing).

So now that the long, confusing back story is laid, I can get to my real question. I was wondering if anyone has experience using Preparing with a younger child (he is almost 6, but is very strong in math, history, and science). He does struggle with handwriting, and is not ahead, but not behind, in reading. I know I will have to do more narration and find some supplemental pages for the notebooking. My daughter (8 in July) has thrived through every other program, and I know she is more than ready for Preparing, and combining their school the last couple of months has worked out really well. Plus, my son has basically sat through all of his sisters' US history from Beyond and Bigger, plus covering what he did in LHFHG, so he is fairly well versed in it (his 6th birthday party is a Revoltionary War theme ).

I am hesitant, though, because I wonder if he will somehow be missing out because the program is really geared for older children. I would love any thoughts/advice. Blessings and thank you for your time and consideration!

In His Love,
Jessica

[countrymom]

We are currently in unit 6 of Bigger, having done LHFHG and Beyond. There is just so much in the guides in terms of skill building that goes beyond listening to the readings that I would have to say your son would miss way too much of the guide at that age. My younger 5 yr old listens in with us with Bigger (and did with Beyond), but is in no way gaining any of the skills that need to be learned in the guides. My older son will be 7 in two weeks and we are going 1/2 speed in Bigger since we started early, and I would not want to do anything more with him even though he is an excellent student because there is just so much packed in the guide. The handwriting would be a huge issue, as even in Bigger there is a lot of writing. I would recommend just continuing with your son as he should progress and in the long run I think it will be much easier for you than trying to tailor Preparing for him. Of course you could progress in reading and math at whatever level he is at. One other thing to consider as well would be what would you do with him once done with Preparing? Hope that helps. It can be tempting to try to combine, especially when your dc like to listen in with each other, but my experience with my sons 19 months apart has been it is much easier to keep them separate.

[Tidbits of Learning]

I wouldn't combine unless it was just impossible for me to do more than one guide. I tried it last year with my 3 oldest. They are all a year apart. My oldest dd and my oldest ds are only 27 months apart. I can't tell you in words just how much my older dd's being independent for their subjects has made my life easier this year. Last year, since I had combined them I was tweaking, adapting, supplementing...and it was awful for me.
Everyone is different in this aspect, but if you want them to gain the skills to continue moving to more independence in HOD...then I would suggest taking the summer break and picking up Beyond with your son and Preparing with your daughter.

[twoxcell]

I can't imagine jumping any child from LHFHG to Preparing, and from what I have seen of CTC there is no way a 7 year old could use it. My 11 year old niece is using CTC. It is a stretch for her and she is extremely bright.

[mofbethany]

Thanks for the feedback! I dicussed it further with my supervising teacher and after prayerful consideration I think we are set on doing Beyond and Preparing both. Although my son will most likely be sitting in on his sister's school, and she his, I'm excited to go through Beyond with him again. Blessings and thank you again!