Why do we refer to letters by the sounds they make?
In Montessori classrooms, you’ll hear letters being called by the sounds they make instead of by their names. For example, the letter “b” is called “buh,” not “bee.” This might…
How can we support reading and writing at home?
Value spoken language. Engaging your child in rich conversations will help develop their confidence, ideas, vocabulary, and grasp of language structure. Model writing by hand. Let your child see you…
Why do we teach writing before reading in Montessori?
Writing begins within oneself, with one’s own thoughts. The writer thinks of what they want to say, drawing on words they already know. They listen for the sounds in each…
What are the Planes of Development?
Dr. Montessori defined four planes of development in the life of the child, from birth to adulthood. The first plane of development goes from 0-6 years old, a time in…
What is the Sensitive Period for Language?
What is the Sensitive Period for Language? Dr. Montessori described sensitive periods as a window of time in which a child’s interests are focused on developing a certain skill, like…
What is The Absorbent Mind? And how does it help young children learn languages?
Children under the age of 6 have what Dr. Maria Montessori called “the absorbent mind.” The Absorbent Mind takes in everything in its environment continuously, tirelessly, and without awareness or…