Walking-Iris Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 I'm looking at both of these for my 4 year old ds. Thoughts from those who have tried them? What are the main differences? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ErinE Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 I've tried Earlybird and didn't have too many issues. My only comment would be it is geared towards a classroom of children and not for individual instruction. You'll have activities such as, "Measure everyone's foot in the classroom and make a bar graph." My dd didn't have many issues, but from what I gathered from forum comments, Essentials is a better fit for the homeschool parent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluemongoose Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 We have used both. The content is very similar between them. Essentials is in B&W. It is less expensive and consists of 2 workbooks, A & B. Earlybird is in color. Some people find this a good thing, others find it too busy. It is more expensive and consists of 4 books. 2 textbooks and 2 activity books. The textbooks are full color workbooks, the activity books are full color cut and paste activities. Some people skip the activity books, but my kids really like them. As I said, content it really the same, as is the style of teaching. The difference is mainly how it looks visually, the cost, and the amount of books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melmichigan Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 Essentials hands down. My twins did Essentials. I bought EB when it came out to use with my DS and went back to Essentials after the first book. I plan to use it with my last DS after the beginning of the year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 I did not love Earlybird, it was OK but not great. I much preferred Miquon at this age (which I see you have). MEP is also very interesting at this age. If I had a "do over" I think I'd use Essentials, but only have experience with Earlybird. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 I did not love Earlybird, it was OK but not great. :iagree: I would use RightStart for K level math. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myfatherslily Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 Have used both, like Essentials much better :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pitterpatter Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 (edited) We use Early Bird. DD was a couple of months shy of 4.5 years old when we started it. Given her age and personality, I was drawn to its color, design and numerous extension opportunities provided in the teacher's guide. Ultimately, I bought it because of the teacher's guide. Being new to home-schooling, I love that it tells me exactly what to say to my child and have her repeat, if I desire. It wouldn't naturally come to me that I should have her repeat something like, "Five is one more than four. Six is one more than five," while completing a lesson. That kind of thing. Also, while there is at least one activity geared toward classroom use per each lesson, I found many very easy to adapt. A lot of times, I will act as another pupil in the class and do certain activities with DD. Having said that, Early Bird provides so many different activities in the teacher's guide for each lesson that I can very easily choose a different one or two. Rarely, if ever now, do we complete all extension activities. There are just too many. Both DD and I love SM Early Bird. The activities in the teacher's guide really make learning math a lot of fun. DD also loves all of the little songs in the teacher's guide. Like "Two Little Dicky Birds". She sings them all of the time. I haven't used Essentials, but it seems too incomplete (and, not enough fun) for us. DD loves hands-on. Early Bird is very hands-on. Edited January 1, 2012 by pitterpatter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeaCookiesBears Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 Even though I like SM Essentials Math better I am glad I chose SM EB (Books A) at the time because dd responded better with SM Early Bird (because of the color) than with the Essentials Math samples I printed out. However, since she is little older now I may use the Essentials Book B or Both. Also here is a link where someone posted difference with many samples. http://www.blueskiesacademy.com/2011/03/singapore-earlybird-versus-essential-math/#comment-234 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boscopup Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 I started Essentials at age 4 and really like it (after dropping out of RS A). It's simple, which I think K math should be. I add in C-rods in book B. I also do 100-chart/calendar time separately. I'll likely use it again with kid #3. I wasn't impressed with Earlybird samples, but we've enjoyed Essentials. Not to mention the price difference. $15 for the whole year isn't bad. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennyD Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 I have used both and preferred Essentials, but really, I didn't much like either one of them. As much as I love Singapore Primary Mathematics, the K programs just leave me cold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walking-Iris Posted January 1, 2012 Author Share Posted January 1, 2012 Thanks. I was looking at these to have something to use in addition to Miquon and some Kumon books and maybe a little MEP. I pull activities from Family Math as well. My ds really likes math and I'm nearly positive he will zoom through anything I get. So I wanted to have various different things for him to try to keep him satisfied. I'm not big on a formal sit down and have math time at this age. I like to keep it focused on play and manipulatives. But he does like sitting down and "doing a book" with older brother. I like the price of Essentials and I think my ds would appreciate being able to color the pictures as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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