Language
As the children move from sensorial experiences to abstract ideas words become vitally important. It is through language that the brain is able to retrieve an idea that was previously experienced.
Oral Language is supported by storytelling, poetry, conversation and vocabulary lessons. The children are permitted to converse throughout their day; the only limit placed on this is that their conversation not disturb others in the class. The children are actively engaged in the learning/teaching process and therefore must be allowed to communicate their thoughts and ideas. Oral language is an important base for reading and writing skills to build upon.
In the Montessori classroom writing and reading skills are generally developed at the same time. The Montessori approach to reading is a phonics based approach. There are three aspects of the Montessori reading experience that makes it unique and dramatically successful:
*First the child is introduced to the alphabet at a young age (2 ˝ or 3 years of age). The sandpaper letters are one of the first materials offered to the child.
*Second the children have a sensorial introduction to the alphabet. The sandpaper letters are textured so that the child can feel the shape as they trace the letter. They are able to visualize the shape in isolation from the other letters of the alphabet and the phonetic sound is given for the child to attach to the letter.
*Most importantly, as most lessons in the class are, each reading lesson is individualized. Many reading experts and national reading panel stress that phonetic instruction be individualized. A one size fits all approach is much less successful.
Lively grammar lessons are given when the child begins to read. When a child is able to act out what he or she has read, a level of comprehension emerges. The grammar lessons enhance the child’s reading fluency, vocabulary and comprehension.