Latin for Children

Name: Latin for Children
Brand: Classical Academic Press

by Classical Academic Press

Foreign_languageGrades 3–9

About This Curriculum

An award-winning, comprehensive Latin curriculum that introduces students as young as fourth grade to Latin through three sequential primers (A, B, C), combining grammar instruction, vocabulary building, and English derivatives in an engaging, interactive format perfectly suited to students in the grammar stage.

What makes it unique: User-friendly design requiring no prior Latin knowledge from parent or student, with direct-to-child instruction, comprehensive video teaching by Dr. Christopher Perrin, and integration of chants, songs, and mnemonic aids that make Latin accessible and enjoyable for elementary students.

Latin for Children: Classical Grammar-Stage Latin with Comprehensive Support

Latin for Children is a three-level classical Latin curriculum (Primers A, B, C) designed for grades 3-9, combining systematic grammar instruction with vocabulary building, historical context, and extensive teacher support materials. The program uses a classical education approach with chants, incremental learning, and multi-sensory components including videos by Dr. Christopher Perrin.

Best for

Elementary and middle school students (grades 3-9) in classical education settings, homeschool families seeking comprehensive Latin instruction with minimal teacher preparation, and parents with no prior Latin knowledge who want to learn alongside their children

Evaluation Criteria

6 strengths · 1 neutral

Explicit GrammarStrength

The program excels in explicit grammar instruction with systematic coverage of all five noun declensions and four verb conjugations across three levels. Grammar instruction is thorough and builds incrementally with extensive review and practice.

Reviews note the curriculum 'doesn't dumb down the content' and covers 'all five noun declensions and all four verb conjugations, six verb tenses and much more' with 'grammar heavy' approach and 'thorough grammar coverage'

Teacher TrainingStrength

Comprehensive teacher support includes detailed answer keys, instructional videos by Dr. Perrin, and extensive free online resources. The program is specifically designed for parents with no Latin background.

Reviews emphasize the series is 'especially good for the parent with no Latin background' with 'no lesson prep time' needed, and Classical Academic Press provides 'a number of free resources' and comprehensive video instruction

Cultural KnowledgeStrength

Cultural and historical content is extensively integrated, with each primer focusing on different historical eras supported by readings, stories, and reference materials. History Readers provide additional cultural context through Latin texts.

Reviews detail how 'Primer A relates to Ancient Rome, Primer B to medieval Europe, and Primer C to the age of exploration and early American history' with 'historical content' and dedicated History Readers for each level

Direct InstructionStrength

The curriculum facilitates excellent direct instruction through Dr. Christopher Perrin's video lessons and structured primer content. Lessons speak directly to learners with clear explanations and systematic presentation.

Reviews praise 'Dr. Christopher Perrin teaching students new concepts' with 'clear explanations' that allow students to work independently, noting 'lessons speak directly to the learner' requiring minimal teacher preparation

Retrieval PracticeStrength

Strong retrieval practice is built into the program through required chanting, review chapters at unit ends, comprehensive yearly reviews, and spaced vocabulary practice. Multiple reviewers note the incremental building with extensive review.

Reviews mention 'review chapters' at unit ends, 'Yearly Review' chapters, 'plenty of practice, repetition, and review,' and chants that must be 'practiced repeatedly throughout each week'

Comprehensible InputStrength

The curriculum provides substantial comprehensible input through diglot weave stories that gradually increase Latin content within English context. Adventure stories featuring Marcus and Julia help students acquire vocabulary naturally while systematic vocabulary introduction supports understanding.

Reviews mention 'diglot weave approach using mostly English with some Latin words thrown in' with 'amount of Latin gradually increases' and adventure stories that help students learn vocabulary from context

Speaking Listening BalanceNeutral

The curriculum heavily emphasizes listening and speaking through required chanting practice but has limited focus on conversational speaking skills. The program prioritizes translation and reading over oral communication.

Reviews emphasize 'children chant aloud the lesson material' and 'chants are to be practiced repeatedly' but note the curriculum is 'geared toward translation rather than conversation' since Latin is a 'dead language'

Sources: cathyduffyreviews.com, humilityanddoxology.com