ABOUT 1st Step

1st Step™ is both a company and a curriculum.  We are dedicated to creating an exciting and profound learning experience for students, ages 5-8. Our courses are authored by Steven David Horwich, who is also the author of Connect The Thoughts , curriculum for ages 9-adult.

The first 1st Step courses were authored and tried out in 2005, as a result of requests from parents of children who had used Connect The Thoughts, and who also had younger children.  Since then, thousands of students have benefitted from their use.


Our courses are available for students of two age groups, or of two different levels of literacy.

Starter is for students ages 5-6.  It is also for pre-literate students, or students who are not able to read much at all.  This level of curricula is largely teacher (or tutor) -driven.

Elementary is for studentsm ages 7-8, or for students who are ready to stretch and develop their reading skills.

In both Starter and Elementary , there are four basic areas of curricula offered:

  1. History
  2. Science
  3. Creative Writing
  4. Living Your Life (Life skills, critical thinking skills)

1st Step courses use different techniques than Connect The Thoughts, as 1st Step courses are each carefully designed for younger students.  Some of the important goals of 1st Step curricula are 1) Improved reading skills; 2) Development of critical thinking skills; 3) Development of study skills, and; 4) Development of life skills which can help assist the student as they grow older to stay well, and to assume increasing levels of responsibility.

We are a curriculum provider , largely for home schoolers. Our courses are developed in such a manner, however, that a group of children can easily do them.  In fact, they are often easier to use in a classroom situation or with multiple students than other currricula "designed" expressly for that purpose.  Additionally, we've received many letters from parents and teachers, letting us know that our curricula is very useful for students who are not only ready for accelerated challenges, but also for students who are learning-challenged.

1st step is NOT a school, or school program.

1st Step does not offer a mathematics program. There are many good math programs out there, and we do not see the need to reinvent that wheel. Specifically, we have seen the Saxon Math program work well for young students, using their levels 5/4; 6/5 and 7/6. We've observed these books (in their home schoolers' editions) teach basic mathematics effectively. We have seen students adept with and interested in mathematics do well with Saxon Algebra 1/2. Additionally, we've had good luck with AGS Publishing's Consumer Mathematics, also well-designed for home schooling.


1st Step is used in two significant ways by parents, students, teachers and schools.  1) As a complete substitute for their existing but inadequate curricula, or 2) In parts, to fill needed requirements or to bolster areas deemed to be in need of improved results.

We hope that you'll spend some time with us today, look over our program, our courses and samples, try out our free downloads, and take a loook at how 1st Step can help you improve your student's learning experience.

Thanks for visiting!