Moving from Little Hearts to Beyond

[Rachelle]

I started Little Hearts when my kids were six in February of this past year. It was the right age to begin, especially for one. But I think they are probably more appropriate in Beyond now overall. I've begun to accelerate the second half of Little Hearts to move into Beyond in November give or take.

I will be covering all the literature (as written but at a faster pace) among other things but will be picking and choosing history topics.

I'm wondering if I should go ahead and cover history topics such as Jamestown, the Pilgrims, etc. that we will hit again in Beyond (right?) since I'll be moving there very soon. I could cover other topics in history and leave early US history for Beyond.

Is there a reason I should or should not cover those topics as presented in Little Hearts rather than "save" them for Beyond?

[Carrie]

Rachelle,

You'll definitely know best whether you should accelerate LHFHG, but unless your kiddos are outside of the age range of LHFHG I would lean toward using it as written (as it is great preparation for Beyond). I am concerned that if you rush through LHFHG, then your children may get to Bigger Hearts much more quickly than they are ready for it. Bigger Hearts is a bit of a step up from Beyond, so it is wise to consider what you are rushing toward in the big picture? There is much Biblical foundation set forth in LHFHG that is excellent to have prior to heading into Beyond, along with all of the training in other skills to consider as well.

When you do too much doubling up and skipping, you will be missing the flow and connectiveness of the guide and be using it more as a reading schedule instead. Somehow it seems that on that path, the skills and Biblical training are often lost. I just thought I'd give you another perspective to ponder before you go too far in the doubling up and skipping things path. As my kiddos get older, I look back so fondly on the gentler time that I spent training their hearts and minds through Little Hearts for His Glory.

Blessings,
Carrie

[Tree House Academy]

I couldn't agree more with Carrie. My younger son went back to Little Hands last year after trying Beyond. He wasn't ready yet and it dawned on me that he would reach Bigger as he was just turning 7 if I kept on with Beyond and that would have been a nightmare. Now, he is in Beyond and doing wonderfully, but I fully believe it was because he did all of the work in Little Hearts that prepared him so well for the challenge of Beyond this year. We are excited to do Bigger next year, but I know we have some growing to do in this guide before we get there.

Hope you find peace and joy with whichever decision you make. God Bless!