It worked well for Joseph and Anna. I started Joseph right before he turned six, and Anna begged me to let her do it too, so I did. It worked! But every child is different. I'm not quite sure how Lydia will take to it. She has been showing interest in writing recently (her name, and other "words"), and even asked me to teach her how to read once. So I'm giving it a try. I'm going to hold myself accountable to not put pressure. We don't have to succeed. I sometimes forgot that with Anna, and got frustrated at repeated mistakes. I know, that was mean. Then I would remind myself that she was three, and we were doing this only because she was interested.
So here I am again, hoping to remember that we can happily crash and burn with this endeavor. Nevertheless, I have positive reinforcements at the ready - a little plastic teacup full of m&m's (thank you, Anna!..not my Anna) after every five completed lessons. For Joseph and Anna, it was a piece of gum - way back when gum was a whole new concept to them. (I don't know how I managed to keep Joseph innocent until almost six) So that really helped. Oh yes, and Joseph and Anna will get a cup each too, so they can trade colors and have a grand old time. That way, Lydia will have her own little cheer leading team always available to keep her going.
And the writing part is purely for fun. I think there are schools of thought that frown upon learning to write too early. I think of this almost like drawing. We'll keep up the writing part as long as she enjoys it, and drop it if it gets too tedious. We'll drop it all if it gets too tedious, for that matter.
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