You do not need a boxed curriculum to begin.
For the built-in Preschool, Kindergarten, and Grade 1 courses, CCH tells you what to gather inside each lesson and in Prepare Ahead. A printer is useful but optional.
Preschool / Pre-K
Start with: a family Bible, paper/crayons, a few safe household objects, and ordinary indoor/outdoor family life.
No Preschool workbook or purchased book package is required. Typical guided time: about 25–40 minutes if all four short blocks are used.
Kindergarten
Start with: a family Bible, pencils/crayons, plain paper, simple counters or small household objects, and a few basic craft/school supplies you likely already own.
Matching printables are optional. Typical parent-led time: about 65–95 minutes depending on the rotating knowledge lesson and the child’s pace.
Grade 1
Start with: a family Bible, lined paper/notebook, pencil, simple math manipulatives or household counters, and access to ordinary books/maps when a lesson calls for them.
Printables support the lesson but are not the curriculum. Typical parent-led time: about 85–120 minutes; Friday may include a short Latin lesson.
New to classical education?
Narration means the child tells back what was read in their own words. Copywork means carefully copying a short worthy sentence or passage. The Grammar stage is the early season of building language, facts, stories, number relationships, and habits of attention. These are educational tools, not biblical commands.
The parent remains the teacher. CCH exists to answer: What do I teach today? What do I need? How do I teach it? What should the child be able to do afterward?