I just wanted to say that I agree with you that FIAR does seem to take some planning time. We either do it conversationally when I don't plan, and that takes all of an extra 5-10 min. after reading the book, or I spend TONS of time searching for extras, planning special go-alongs, lapbooks, etc. just to make it seem meaty enough. From what I've heard, BFSU also requires a bit of planning ahead of time. For us, the answer seems to be HOD (VERY open and go), and I know there are many other similar options out there where you can know you've covered enough each day without putting in all the prep time. Also want to add that I do LOVE FIAR and know that it's supposed to be open and go, and is for some people. Must be a personality issue that some of us need to be told EXACTLY what to do each day :tongue_smilie:.

Just another vote for B4FIAR. I've been doing FIAR with my 4.5 dd, and there is a lot in there that is over her head and that I have to simplify. But, we already did B4FIAR so we decided to move on. We do B4 with my ds, and I always notice that it seems more appropriate for the 4.5 yr old than the almost 3 yr. old (although he is still having a blast with it!). You can easily beef it up a bit by adding lapbooks or reading additional books, etc. I think it is easier to beef B4 up rather than simplify FIAR down (IMO).

As the op, I just want to clarify that I'm not asking which is the "better" of the two companies! I think both seem equally biblical in their focus and thorough in what they cover/ expect from the student. I just wondered if there are significant differences in their philosophies, especially related to the labels "classical" and "cm".

We used it before my dd turned 2 (VERY simply)! I think a lot of it can be done with a 2 yr old, especially if they have good verbal skills. The activities are mostly either really hands on (like acting out animals in Ask Mr. Bear, exploring a pretend cave with Angus Lost), or noticing details such as shapes, patterns, etc., or having simple discussions about related topics. Sometimes I have read an idea in the manual and assumed it would be over my dc's head, but if I gave it a try I was surprised how well they responded. My dc notice all kinds of details now from our B4 and FIAR talks. I think of it all more as just exposure rather than having many specific objectives that I want them to learn.

We have used and really enjoy B4FIAR. I started when my dd was just 2, and we kept it simple but had tons of fun. At that age, it's less of a curriculum then a collection of great book-related activities. The books themselves are wonderful. The author is a Christian and I think there is a Bible verse segment with each book, but you could easily leave that portion out, since the vast majority of topics aren't really religious in any way. We actually didn't use the Bible part much, just because I was using something else for that.

Thank you all who have replied so far! Both look like such great programs. It seems to me that one huge difference is in how the age spans are approached (combining kids). Looks like MFW is more WTMish in how younger kids are folded into the same period of history as the older dc, after first grade at least. HOD seems like it would be possible to do it that way, but maybe not ideal. That's not really a big deal to me right now since I just have 2 dc, but I can see how it would be nice. I read that HOD really emphasizes the idea of "savoring" a book- CM style, and MFW seems more like you read an abundance about each topic (via book basket). Maybe that would be one difference...?

I have read that My Father's World claims to be a combination of CM philosophy and classical education, and that Heart of Dakota is mostly influenced by CM (and does not claim to be classical). However, after reading through the samples and looking at all the years' programs of each, I can't figure out what about MFW is more classical than HOD. Both tackle history in a similar way (IMO) and the grammar books for HOD (R&S) seem to be more rigorous than MFW (PLL), which to me sounds more classical than CM. Anyways, not that it really matters, I'm just interested and curious since I am drawn to both CM methods and classical, and both companies appeal to me. I am trying to nail down the main differences in their philosophies and methods.

I love it! The cabinets are beautiful and look so pretty with your nice wood floors. I love all the coordinating organizational boxes. It all looks so neat and fun! I may have to use some of your ideas:)!

We're about to start LHFHG and are just getting into LHTH with my ds, so I have hardly any experience to speak of :)> That said, I have done TONS of research (like many of us here), and just have a peace about using HOD that I didn't have from the other wonderful options out there! I think so much of it just comes down to what "connects" with your own heart for your kids and their education, and it may be the opposite of what worked for almost everyone else! I have to say that I have been so blessed reading through the forum posts at HOD's website and feel very encouraged and inspired by those ladies. I am very impressed with HOD's book choices, love the easy but fun hands on activities and feel like the program is simple enough to implement it well, and even tweak or add where we feel necessary (and since it's not too terribly pricey, this doesn't make me feel guilty at all:)). But, as is obvious from other current threads, it doesn't work perfectly for everyone! (probably nothing would!)

I'm also eager to hear this, since we'll be starting LHFHG pretty soon. I also like the idea of interchanging the more active boxes with the seatwork ones, but it confuses me a bit when I try to picture it. We sit on our living room couch to read anything, and then do writing/ art/etc. at a table in another room. Do you ever feel like you're constantly moving back and forth around the house? Maybe it wouldn't be a big deal, I can just picture losing momentum during the transition times.

We have really liked the Developing the Early Learner vol. 1-4 workbooks. They have lots of mazes, coloring and cut and paste, but all within exercises that teach critical thinking skills. They focus on skills such as auditory memory, spacial perception, fine motor skills, sequencing, etc. Lots of fun and we've seen improvement in every area!

We have been using Heart of Dakota's Little Hands to Heaven. It is so easy to implement, and lots of fun! It is an easy intro to letter sounds, counting, etc. with lots of art and fun games. We do MEP reception year, also lots of fun, but I wouldn't think good for under 4. I've also just started rotating our manipulatives/ hands on "toys" and letting them play with something specific for 20 min. or so, while listening to music. This is a good opp. for me to work with one of them at a time on things.

I guess I don't understand. Why are some of you saying you wouldn't act out the Bible stories? Just curious, because I've always enjoyed doing that with my dc, even before we started LHTH. I do understand your concerns about acting out the devotional parts where the kids are "bad" and then "good." I don't especially like even pretending to be bad, and sometimes we just talk about how there are 2 ways to handle a situation, and then only practice the right way. I don't understand the concerns about acting out stories themselves though. I am NOT trying to argue, just curious about the reasons behind it!

We started LHTH last week and it is a hit. I plan to start LHFHG with my dd when she turns 5 (mainly because I haven't finished buying the books-not easy since we're in Asia). We used the sample week from online and she loved it so I'm excited to start. The more I look into HOD, the more I am impressed. At this point, I hope we'll stick with it for the all the future guides! I really like their history sequence, the book picks and the hands on elements.

I haven't actually started it yet, but I've read through the entire book and it looks AWESOME! I'm excited to use it, just waiting for dd to turn 5 and then we'll officially start K. The activities and craft ideas are all simple enough for me to actually do them, and I think it will be a really fun wait to begin science.

I'm jealous: you wish your kids would wake up at 7? So do I actually, but only because it's usually closer to 6!

We're in the same boat for handwriting, and using HWT. I am trying to convince her that is a right way to form the letters, but then I caught myself writing M and N from the bottom up! :tongue_smilie: Made me wonder how necessary it is!

We'll be doing LHFHG when dd turns 5, and will soon start LHTH with my almost 3 yr old. We are so excited and have such a peace about using HOD.

Another vote for Little Hands to Heaven or MFW K. I almost bought MFW K and think it looks like a gentle program that is perfect for kids still learning letter sounds/ just beginning to read. Little Hands to Heaven also teaches letter sounds and math skills. You could easily add HOP and HWT to that one if you wanted, and still come out okay price wise. Ofcourse with MFW, that includes your phonics and handwriting so you wouldn't need to add anything. My only concern with Little Hearts for His Glory is that it includes lots of reading longer passages aloud and then introducing basic narration skills (verbal). Many people even use it for 1st grade, although it's fine for K as long as your kid is ready for that aspect. Seems like doing Little Hands first would be great preparation for LHFHG next year if you want to use HOD.

More on the younger end, we love Ken Ham's A is for Adam and the D is for Dinosaur. The pictures are fun and we always have interesting discussions as we read them.

Your reasoning makes complete sense and I've wondered that before, too. But, keep in mind that MOST kids in ps are NOT doing church choir in addition to their school music class, or especially educational activities with their parents during their free time. I really think many church related activities (like going on mission trips, learning to do ministry as a teenager, choir, etc.) taught me way more that my classes in ps did. I would definitely count those things. And your field trips sound more memorable than the ones we did in school, too. All I remember about field trips was the extra goofing off and gossip sessions on the bus on the way to/from. My focus was not on the material at hand, but was totally on what everyone was wearing/ saying/ doing, etc. I think that by going as a family, you have a much better chance of making it a genuinely beneficial experience.

:iagree:This is what worked for my dd and ds, too! I also have no idea if it is an official method, but it was so painless for us to do it that way. Just a week of messes and then we were fine! It is important to pretty much stay home all day for it to work. Our pediatrician had warned me that boys would be harder and especially having an obviously strong-willed one might take a long time. So, I was pleasantly surprised that the same method worked with him as with my dd.

Before I had my Saxon K in hand, I had just made myself a simple list of fun activities and games we could do to start preschool math. Once I got my Saxon K TM, I noticed that my little list encompassed almost the entire scope of that huge, fat TM! So... we did most of it, but I thought it was too slow even for my dd4. If continuing with Saxon, I would DEFINITELY start with Saxon 1 in K!

We'll finish up our K4 year in December, which is: Bible: 101 Stories from the Bible, My ABC Bible Verses Reading: OPG, Starfall.com Handwriting: HWOT Math: MEP Reception Year Some of everything: FIAR For K5 in January, we'll use LHFHG (history, science, literature), and continue with FIAR as much as I can (at least reading the books and doing some conversational discussions of topics). I also plan to use Elemental Science Intro. to Science.

That's interesting! My dd actually has the same birth month as your ds and are doing similar things (we'll be using HOD as well). I think I'll just keep on with MEP and our own version of Miquon, and save MM for when I'm more sure we're ready, too.