Need phonics & math advice for 4yo dd.

[HFClassicalAcademy]

We just purchased SSRW for my ds who is doing level 1. I thought I would buy the SSRW Kindergarten for her, but after seeing the level 1, I feel like I should do level 1 with her as well.

She is an early 4 (turned in January) and has had no formal phonics instruction. Pretty much taught herself to read words. She is capable of reading simple books with mostly CVC and CVCC words. About 4-5 months ago, she started spelling phonetically. She writes words and sentences on her own. She's ok at handwriting too, but lacks some control over the pencil when doing lower-case letters.

Again, I've been a bad mom and have just let her do her thing without much formal instruction. I have felt that she needs to blossom on her own time without me scheduling her too strictly. She's one of those early talkers, knew her letters and sounds by 2 years, loves to read kind of girl.

Well, now I think she is mature enough (or more like I'm adjusted to a new baby!) to sit down through lessons and do seat-work. She is begging for this, so I'm happy to oblige.

Should I start her on Level 1 or stay with K?

Also, if you can bear for another question. She took a placement test for math (we use Saxon) and placed for Saxon 1. Should I go for it? The only think is all the writing. She is not very good at it yet as she is still really young. My son is about to finish with Saxon 1, so I know about all the worksheets and stuff. Do I just ask her for answers and fill them in myself? I don't know how to approach this.

Any help is appreciated!!!

Liz

[HFClassicalAcademy]

I'm typing fast, so I keep missing the spell check and failed to correct!

[nmoira]

Again, I've been a bad mom and have just let her do her thing without much formal instruction.IMHO this is being quite sensible.

The only think is all the writing. She is not very good at it yet as she is still really young. My son is about to finish with Saxon 1, so I know about all the worksheets and stuff. Do I just ask her for answers and fill them in myself? I don't know how to approach this.I still do lots of oral and white board work with my 6yo. The problem is that even though her writing is improving, the spaces for the answers in get smaller as you progress.

[Karin]

If she's ready for level 1, do level 1. As for math, go with where she's ready. You can do the math orally. It's true that the spaces get smaller each year, but my ds, who was slower with his fine motor skills, is able to write in the smaller spaces now even though we started off with me doing the writing for him.

btw, if you make typos you can click on edit and edit anything but your title. That's what I just did when I saw I missed a comma.

[nmoira]

It's true that the spaces get smaller each year, but my ds, who was slower with his fine motor skills, is able to write in the smaller spaces now even though we started off with me doing the writing for him.At what age did this happen? I suspect I only have another year of transcribing for DD... the convergence between skill and blank spaces is starting to happen. :)

[Karin]

At what age did this happen? I suspect I only have another year of transcribing for DD... the convergence between skill and blank spaces is starting to happen. :)

Well, it was later for ds than for my dd's. He's 7 and can fit it in better now. His fine motor skills are probably still somewhat behind, because he was born with low muscle tone (not severe, but enough to need early intervention.) But he probably could have fit it in sooner had he more desire. He doesn't like reading and most writing. He likes being read to and discussions, though.

[LisaK in VA]

With the reading, you could probably start with the 1st grade program and take it slowly if she needs more reinforcement. My 4yo seemed all set to rapidly move through the 1st grade curriculum -- but he "forgets" things sometimes... so we back up and go over them. My thought? Hey, he's only 4!

With the math, I wouldn't hesitate to begin with Saxon 1. Saxon K is *really* easy for bright children (and boring). Don't be too surprised if Saxon 1 moves too slowly for your dd as well. But, as she is 4, she may have fun with it (I wouldn't worry about the worksheets, like the idea of the whiteboard at that age).

This year, my 4yo really bloomed with the Abeka Numbers K Workbook (which was great for me, as I have two older children and a baby needing attention). He's moving into Abeka 1 this week -- and is sooo excited (this lit a fire under dd in K-5, who is in Abeka 1 to get a move-on!).

Have fun with your programs... and your dd!