WHAT IS STEP 1 HISTORY?
STEP 1 History is a two year study of history for ages 5-6, and for preliterate students who either do not read at all, or who read very little.

HOW DOES STEP 1 HISTORY WORK?
Like all STEP 1 courses, STEP 1 History courses are like “scripts”, used by the teacher.  Like all STEPS studies, STEP 1 courses are broken into daily lesson plans.  Each lesson plan is made up of small things to be done, in sequence.  The teacher/parent uses each lesson plan like a script, doing what the lesson plan asks.  Sometimes, the parent is asked to read to the student. What is read is right there in the lesson plan, no guess work, “writing” by the teacher, or hunting for materials needed.   Much of the teaching at this level is done this way.  Sometimes, the teacher is requested to show students some art work, video, or photography – all found in sequence, in the lesson plan.  And in every lesson plan, the student uses what has been taught and does things, sometimes in the form of games, but there are always activities.  There are eleven Step 1 History courses, and they’re generally done in four semesters (two years of study).

So you will be reading to the student from the course, and then showing them various media, and then doing things with them which will allow them to “experience” their history studies.

How does one teach history to a five or six year-old? By making it fun, creative, and as tangible and real as possible. Our Step 1 History courses focus on the key accomplishments and ideas found in history. Each central idea is simply explained, and then explored through activities carefully crafted to be done , and to help provide the young student with a hands-on idea of what each culture added to the human experience. Focused on ideas and creations rather than dates and names, this is conceptual history for the very young. The student learns what is important about history, and how history impacts the student's life today. Each semester consists of several courses, and we recommend history be studied for this age group three times a week. The first semester, as an example, uses four courses. These should be done in their established order, as they present history in the sequence in which it occurred.

MY 5-6 YEAR OLD IS GOING TO LEARN HISTORY?  REALLY?
Yes.  The history presented at this level is simple, and accompanied by a lot of media (photos, film) and tons of activities.  But they do get a good idea of the flow and the outline of history, even in STEP 1.

HOW IS HISTORY PRESENTED IN STEP 1?
STEP 1 teaches history just as America’s greatest historian, Will Durant, suggested.  First, it’s taught in the order it happened, on the “time line”.  History begins at the beginning, and works its way through to today, over two years of study.  So it is taught on the “time line”.  Additionally, History presents all related subjects as a part of the life of each time the student studies – politics, religion, art, economics, you name it.  So when studying a place and time – say ancient Greece, the student also studies that period and place’s beliefs and way of life.

CAN I PURCHASE INDIVIDUAL HISTORY COURSES TO FILL NEEDS IN MY CHILD’S EDUCATION?
Yes.  Each STEPS course is a free-standing, independent study. 

CAN I PURCHASE A SEMESTER WORTH OF HISTORY?
Yes, as “bundles” on our site.  Bundles are the least expensive way to purchase STEPS courses.  

HOW QUICKLY COULD I START USING STEPS 1 HISTORY?
Start now.  You can start STEPS at any time of the year, 24/7/365.   Everything you need is pretty much included in the courses you will download, for STEP 1

HOW MUCH DO I, THE TEACHER OR PARENT, NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HISTORY TO TEACH AT THIS LEVEL?
You (teacher/tutor/parent) do not need any expertise in subjects your student is studying, using STEPS.   Not as a teacher, or in the subjects being taught.  You do not need a degree, or experience as a teacher.  Each course does the “teaching”.   Just follow the lesson plans, and keep your eyes open for fun opportunities related to whatever the student is studying now.   The course does the teaching.

A SUCCESS STORY ABOUT STEP 1 HISTORY!
We started STEPS 1 as an experiment, to see how it would work, with my own two children and several of their friends.  We used STEPS 1 History 1.  We started out planning to do one hour only, as suggested.  But at the end of an hour, the children demanded more.  We ended up doing 4 hours, and had more fun than I can say.  The second day – same thing.  L.S., Homeschool Dad