Grade? What's in a grade? A child with any other label would be just as sweet! :) Often I hear moms ask what to do when their child is "behind" their grade level and they get worried about getting them "caught up". However, in homeschool, there really isn't a grade level that you need to stick to or say that you are on...that's the beauty of this freedom! :)
Don't get overwhelmed with the thought of keeping them "on grade level" so much, but instead, focus on having them learn any and all material that they can on their personal level. Some children excel in certain areas more than others, and some need that extra summer practice, or even into half of the next year before they have mastered what you would like them to. A child may be on what people would classify as a fifth grade reading level, while on a second grade math level and in between for science concepts. That's ok! As long as they continue to grow in understanding and maintain motivation to learn, you shouldn't be worried. It will all work itself out as they get older.
Grades, themselves, are simply a way for people to classify into a certain year what society thinks that a child at a certain age should learn. These standards are based on a public school perspective, and while they are good to follow as a base, they are by no means anything and everything that a child should learn. Teach what you want them to learn, at the age they can learn it. The more they will absorb, the more you should teach. Feed them knowledge. If they don't grasp something after the third time, do it again. Get outside help if you feel they need it, but be patient with it. Children are little sponges, as you know, so just enjoy teaching them and let them enjoy learning. No pressure.
I'm glad there are some sort of ideas out there of what kind of information children can learn at certain ages, it does make the start a bit easier! But after that, go with what your heart feels for your own child and what the child can do themselves, and don't get too caught up with the thought of them being "behind". Next time a non-homeschool family asks you, "What grade is your child in?", you can respond, "What's in a grade?" :)
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