Reading and writing are skills that adults master effortlessly, making it difficult for them to notice that what may seem obvious to them is not as apparent to a child. Therefore, Montessori reading focuses on a somewhat unconventional approach, where the emphasis is first placed on developing fine motor skills and sensory activities. Afterward, the child can begin to associate sounds with letters, syllables, and words, and only then does the child attempt reading on their own. Additionally, great attention is given to lively communication and creating positive associations and impressions about books and reading. Children gain this positive experience when flipping through interesting books with captivating illustrations and discussing them with parents in a pleasant and cozy environment.
How Does Montessori Teach Reading?
According to the Montessori method, any new knowledge is best acquired through positive experiences and an organic approach. For a young child, such a positive experience comes through play. Reading skill development games allow the child first to produce letters and then read. For example, in some activities, toddlers can draw letters with their fingers on a board sprinkled with grains or trace letters with their fingers on sandpaper, providing them with a sensory experience that promotes better memorization. Also, activities such as using cylinder blocks develop hand strength, which is crucial for pencil control. Children explore their creative abilities by coloring and creating patterns, preparing them for letter and word writing.
How to Teach a Toddler to Read: Step-By-Step Plan
Montessori reading instruction begins with activities focused on phonemic awareness—the ability to identify individual sounds in words and manipulate them. Kids develop acute listening skills for phonetic sounds and syllable segmentation through games, songs, and practical activities. When toddlers master phonemic awareness, they move on to letter recognition and formation. Letters on sandpaper provide tactile and kinesthetic experiences for children to explore letter shapes and sounds, laying the foundation for phonetic learning.
Letter games
Montessori reading materials include wooden letter and syllable cubes, wooden alphabets, letter or syllable cards with illustrations, and more. At the stage when a child is first introduced to the concept of sounds, letters, and word formation, pre-reading materials are useful—various sorters, cubes, and wooden and soft toys that help explain the simplest concepts to preschoolers. And in the older age group, toddlers are already quite capable of dealing with more complex reading materials.
Using the moveable alphabet, children engage in word-building exercises where they combine individual letters to form words. This practical approach allows kids to experiment with spelling, sound properties, and word sets, developing decoding skills and expanding vocabulary.
As toddlers progress in their reading abilities, they transition to reading cards and books containing simple phonetically controlled text. Under the guidance of a Montessori teacher, children learn to read independently, gradually developing fluency, comprehension, and confidence.
Materials for Montessori Reading
A diverse array of practical materials takes center stage in Montessori reading instruction, intended to stimulate a child's senses, encourage exploration, and reinforce literacy concepts. These materials are carefully selected to facilitate the transition from concrete to abstract, allowing children to develop their understanding of language and literacy skills gradually.
- Sandpaper letters provide tactile and kinesthetic experiences for toddlers to explore letter shapes and phonetic sounds. By tracing the letters with their fingers, kids develop multisensory awareness of letter formation and phonemic understanding.
- The moveable alphabet consists of wooden or plastic letters that children can manipulate to create words and sentences. This practical material allows kids to experiment with spelling, sound structure, and sentence construction, laying the foundation for reading and writing skills.
- Phonetic object blocks contain various small objects or pictures corresponding to specific phonetic sounds. Children select items from the boxes and match them with corresponding letters, reinforcing phonemic awareness and vocabulary development.
- A Montessori room or classroom provides toddlers with open access to sets of reading cards and books containing simple phonetically controlled text. These materials allow children to practice reading independently, gradually increasing complexity as their skills develop.
Tips on Teaching Children to Write
The task of educators and parents on the path of learning is not only to seek interesting games that can engage kids but also to monitor their feedback and progress. Some topics may be more challenging for them, while others may be easier to grasp. It is important not to rush the learning process but to focus on the individual pace at which the child feels comfortable. Move on to the next topic only when the toddler has mastered the previous one well. Do not rush — everything will be fine in due time.
Encouraging Reading Through Interesting Books and a Cozy Atmosphere
Montessori uses beginner books designed to captivate young readers. These books contain age-appropriate vocabulary and engaging stories that foster children's interest in reading. By making the reading process enjoyable, Montessori actively motivates kids to develop fundamental literacy skills.
A Montessori reading corner
Equally important is for reading to evoke pleasant, positive associations. You can even create a cozy corner in the child's room for this purpose. It doesn't necessarily have to be a desk (although if it's more convenient for the little one, then of course it's better). Reading can be done on a bed, on a rocking chair, or in a soft armchair. It should be a space free from excessive distractions, with smooth, warm, natural-like lighting. Some children enjoy flipping through books while sitting on a soft carpet — and this is also a good option. A Montessori reading corner is not something organized by strict rules. The only requirement is to make the child comfortable here, feeling free and relaxed. Then, the learning process will not be met with resistance and will not be perceived as something complicated. The best solution for a home is to create a Montessori reading corner together, relying on the parents' experience and the child's desires.
Add a floor bookshelf to the Montessori reading corner to make it easier to return to the book. Montessori's unique approach is to offer kids' books in a vertical format, with the cover facing forward. Such book storage resembles a showcase but strangely encourages kids to read more simply because these items are within their line of sight.
Essentially, Montessori transforms literacy into a dynamic and beneficial journey for children. By prioritizing practical learning, engaging materials, and a positive environment, Montessori instills students' lifelong love for reading and writing.