What Reviewers Say

Reviewers consistently laud Latin for Children (LFC) for making a potentially dry subject engaging through the use of 'chant' videos and clear instructional DVDs featuring Dr. Christopher Perrin. Sources like Cathy Duffy and The Homeschool Mom highlight the program's strong grammatical foundation and the 'classical' feel that isn't overly burdensome. However, a common concern across forums like Well-Trained Mind is the jump in difficulty between Primer A and Primer B; parents note that if a student hasn't fully mastered the chants and vocabulary early on, they may struggle as the syntax becomes more complex. While it is published by a Christian company, many secular users find it accessible, though it contains some religious references. The program is widely considered a 'gold standard' for the upper-elementary years due to its balance of rigor and fun.

How It Works

A typical week begins with the student watching a 15-20 minute video lesson where Dr. Perrin explains the week’s grammar and introduces new vocabulary. The parent and child then spend time daily listening to the 'chant' tracks, which turn conjugation and declension rules—the specific endings added to Latin words—into rhythmic songs for easier memorization. Throughout the rest of the week, the child completes several pages of exercises in the Primer workbook, focusing on translating simple sentences and practicing word forms. Each session takes about 30 to 45 minutes, with the parent mainly providing oversight and using the Answer Key to check work at the end of each lesson. The week usually concludes with a quiz to ensure the student has mastered that week’s vocabulary and grammar rules before moving on.

Switching to This?

Classical Academic Press provides sample chapters and 'Where to Start' guides on their website, though they do not offer a formal interactive placement test. The community rule of thumb is that almost all students should start with Primer A regardless of their grade level, as the curriculum moves quickly and builds a specific vocabulary base that is necessary for later levels. If a student is moving from the publisher’s younger series, Song School Latin, they will find the format familiar but should prepare for a significant increase in writing and grammar work. Families can start mid-year, provided they begin at Chapter 1, as the cumulative nature of the chants makes it difficult to jump in partway through the book. Because the difficulty spikes in Primer B, parents of older students (6th or 7th grade) often choose to move through Primer A at an accelerated pace rather than skipping it entirely.

Curriculum Details

Price

$26 - $115

Individual workbooks start at approximately $26.95; full mastery bundles including DVDs/streaming and teacher manuals range from $100 to $115.

Grades

3 - 7

Available As

Print Video Digital Audio

Coverage

Single subject

Subjects

Foreign Language

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Pacing

Some flexibility

Parent Time

20-45 min/day

Parent Involvement

Minimal

Student Independence

Semi-independent

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Academic Level

Above grade level

Worldview

Christian

Teach Multiple Ages

Yes

Engaging for Reluctant Learners

Yes

Videos

Reviews We Consulted

Updated: March 2026

How This Compares

When compared to Latina Christiana from Memoria Press, Latin for Children is often seen as more engaging and 'fun' due to its upbeat video lessons and rhythmic chants, whereas Latina Christiana follows a more traditional, liturgical, and solemn approach. Against Visual Latin, Latin for Children offers a more rigorous, grammar-heavy structure with physical workbooks, while Visual Latin moves at a faster pace and relies more on digital instruction and reading immersion. Parents often compare it to Getting Started with Latin, which is a very gentle, single-book introduction; the main difference is that Latin for Children is a comprehensive, multi-year program that provides a much deeper academic foundation. Compared to Minimus, which uses a comic-book style to focus on story and culture, Latin for Children is much more focused on the systematic memorization of charts and rules. Finally, while Song School Latin (from the same publisher) is focused on exposure and play, the jump to Latin for Children marks a shift into serious academic study, which may require more direct parent involvement in the grading and drill process.

Getting Started