“The connection to academic success may not come directly from income, rather from something that is absolutely free. Words.”
The Montessori approach to language takes the importance of words into consideration from the very first day a three year old child steps into the classroom. Language is essential in the process of thinking and the child needs to be spoken to and listened to often. In our classrooms, the teachers facilitate the acquisition of verbal language by preparing the environment and focusing on presenting rich, real and purposeful oral language experiences. Our environments provide endless opportunities for the children to speak using their recently acquired language skills. The children have meaningful conversations, enriching their vocabulary and hearing English in all of its different forms, through stories, poems, songs, oral games, and finger plays. Teachers consistently name things by their specific names, repeat new words when they are introduced, enunciate carefully, and speak slowly. An important aspect of our spoken language lessons in the Montessori classroom are the 3 Period Lessons. These lessons teach particular terms, such as the names of the countries in North America and the characteristics of the Sensorial material (i.e. large, larger, the largest) by using real objects, classroom materials, photos/illustrations, and miniatures. This ensures that the children are not only acquiring new words, but also solidifying concepts based on previous concrete experiences. Our environments are prepared to offer a broad exposure to the spoken word. We understand that it is only through practice that the children work to perfect their speech, articulation, vocabulary, grammar, phrasing, and sentence structure, ultimately becoming masters of their own language.
Years ago, researchers Betty Hart, PhD and Todd Risley, PhD of the University of Kansas, uncovered some amazing results from a very in-depth study of young children (0-3), their caregivers, and their conversations. After three years of observing 42 families from across a varied socio-economic pool, and examining the more than 1,300 hours of interactions they had recorded, they discovered a great deal about language, but also made some surprising connections along the way. Click here to continue reading…
We’ve been told it’s “old fashion” for our children to use cursive writing. In fact, most schools no longer teach it. So why do Montessori schools like ours still insist on using cursive? In most cases, it’s the most natural form of writing, but it’s also good for your brain! Find out how in this