Teaching Kids to Read - It Starts at Home

Maria Montessori had a deep understanding of the importance of literacy. Two of her “Great Lessons,” a set of impressionistic lessons students revisit yearly which address big ideas, such has how the universe was formed, are devoted to literacy: the Coming of Language, and the Development of Writing. Montessori students learn that language is the foundation of our knowledge base. Although all knowledge was originally transferred through the oral tradition, gradually we developed a system of writing, so that we could record our thoughts and communicate with people near and far. Furthermore, a written system allowed us preserve our ideas more permanently for future generations.

So it is now that we utilize the written word to help children learn, particularly in the Montessori environment, in which self-directed learning comprises such a large portion of our teaching philosophy. Once a child has “cracked the code” of written language, a whole world of knowledge is literally at their fingertips since students have access to such a wide variety of texts in the classroom.

Our approach to teaching literacy, the reciprocal skills of reading and writing, reflects our belief that the two skills are inextricably linked. For example, at the primary level, many children begin to learn to read what they themselves are composing, using the movable alphabet. Prior to this at the toddler level, children engage in a variety of works that prime them for literacy. Practical life exercises help them to establish a pincer grip, preparing them to hold a pencil, as well as establish the directionality pattern of left to right, top to bottom, just as one reads.

Before any of this can take place, however, children need a solid foundation that begins with you, at home. Even in the womb, babies are exposed to oral language, taking in the sounds of their parents’ voices. Not long after, they hear thousands of words daily, and, with adult guidance, begin to connect individual words with concrete objects, such as “mama” and “milk.” Later, they are taught that these spoken words can be represented with written words, comprised of individual letters connected to sounds, thus they develop of “phonemic awareness,” a critical prerequisite for reading.

As your child’s first teachers, you have an invaluable opportunity to prepare your child to learn to read, and more importantly, to instill in him a life-long passion for reading. Take every opportunity you can to read to your child about whatever he is interested in, and when he is able, have him read to you. It is also extremely beneficial to allow your child to see you reading, too. They will take note. A child who learns to love reading will become a child who loves learning. What greater gift could you impart?