2yo and LHTH?

[Sue G in PA]

I know the recommended age for LHTH is 2-5yrs. (or something like that). My not-quite-2yo has learned all the letters and sounds by watching Leap Frog Letter Factory and using Fridge Phonics. Before you think I sit him in front of the TV all day long, let me explain! He watches Letter Factory each morning while I get my oldest 3 off to school and fix my coffee, etc. Anyway, I was going to hold off doing LHTH with him until NEXT year (when his is 3), but I think maybe he is ready now! Should I give it a go? I'm thinking about doing this 1/2 speed so that I can move right into LHFHG if he is ready at age 4. Does that make sense? I could then do LHFHG 1/2 speed as well to get him prepared more for Beyond. WWYD?

[MamaPajama]

I don't really have any advice beyond the fact that I plan to do bits and pieces of LHTH with my (also soon-to-be) 2 year old, but I don't expect she'll retain much. I want to do it mostly so that she'll feel included and be less bored during school time.

As far as LHFHG at 4, I considered it with my 4yo DD (who was a lot like your LO when she was that age) and I really don't see her being able to comprehend everything. She could probably handle the handwriting and phonics, but I think the history would go right over her head. However, I imagine people who have experience would be able to answer your question better.

[south5]

I just bought LHTH at the GHEA Convention to use with my 2 year old. She just turned 2. You could do it full speed this year with some easier crafts and the books for 2-3, and then next year do more advanced crafts and the books for 3-4. This is what I most likely will do. It is only supposed to take 30 minutes, I think that would be fine for my 2 year old to do 5 days a week. I am really hoping that if I start the morning off doing "school" with her, then my day with the older boys will be easier.

[Kathleen]

Garret joined in on doing LHTH when he was 2. I was planning on doing it for Allison (who was 4 at the time). He did great, for a 2 yo, and really enjoyed it! He tagged along for most of this year while we were doing half-speed LHFHG for our school time. He was like your little one - knew his letters & sounds from watching Letter Factory. He still totally enjoyed it!

I just restarted LHTH with him last month and he's now 4. We're going to spend the next year going through LHTH again. It's perfect for his attention span and great practice with fine motor skills. Even though they've been steadily progressing, it was just more of a stretch for me to think that I could happily and easily keep him with Allison.

LONG answer for: I think you could definitely happily do LHTH with your 2 yo. AND, you could most likely do LHTH happlily with that same child as a 4 yo who will be maturing and enjoy different aspects of it at that stage. There are SOO many more skills that HOD helps us build in our kids than just the letter names and sounds. I have a child who's been good at those for the last couple years and still loves LHTH!

Whenever you decide to jump in to LHTH, you'll have a great time, I'm sure! We have!
Kathleen

[my3sons]

I do think you could do LHTH with your sweetie. My 2 yo also knew all of his letters and sounds - "The Letter Factory" is amazing, isn't it? I decided to wait until he was 3 yo to start LHTH with him only to reverse my decision fairly quickly. When he was about 2 1/2 yo, he was begging for my attention and all of those other things I thought I'd get to with him (i.e. read more books to him, rhymes, toddler games, etc.) I didn't get to. I was feeling very guilty and sad about it when I decided I just needed to start LHTH but do it half-speed so we'd get to LHFHG around 5 yo. We've been very happy ever since. So, I guess if I were you, I'd start it very slowly and take it from there, knowing you have total flexibility in how much or how little you accomplish with it each day since he is on the very young side of LHTH.

In Christ,
Julie

[Christi in Ohio]

Our just turned 2yo is loving it. He is tagging along with his big sister. He runs around chanting "do school, do school". Lays down with his bible and is eager to do all the "work". He may be my easiest student.

I will be working through things with him again when he is older on his own.

Have fun!