The importance of learning to read and write doesn’t need emphasis. The question is, what is the best way to learn to read and write? Montessori education has a proven track record by using indirect preparations along with phonics to develop the skills needed for reading and writing.
North American Montessori Center has an article on the development needed before a child is ready to read.
Montessori Language Activities at Home
The attractive language materials in the photos are part of a complete Montessori school curriculum. Remember, you don’t need to create a Montessori school at home. Find what works for you.
My posts on buying Montessori materials and finding free Montessori materials online have links to numerous language materials appropriate for use at home. My post on DIY beginning Montessori phonics also has links for making some of your own language materials.
Montessori Language Activities and Links
Here are links to some pages with information about Montessori language activities:
Montessori Primary Guide also has a thorough introduction to Montessori language activities, including oral language, written language, handwriting, reading, reading analysis, writing and reading, and cultural work related to language. There are also videos for introducing metal insets (pre-writing) and sandpaper letters.
Montessori Teachers Collective has a free online language scope and sequence for ages 3-12 and free online language album for ages 6-9.
Photos in collage:
- Just Montessori shows their language area along with photos and descriptions of a complete classroom at the start of the school year.
- Trillium Montessori shows their language area and tells about a year of early language shelves.
- Montessori Print Shop no longer has the article with the photo available, although you’ll find helpful language articles in a dropdown menu on their home page.
- Beautiful Sun Montessori has three photos and listings of the language materials shown on the shelves in the photos.
- To the Lesson! talks about writing and drawing.
Montessori World has an overview of language activities as well as a Margaret Homfray video series on helping children learn to read.
Wikisori has many language activities.
Montessori Album has many language activities.
Maitri Learning has a helpful post showing a variety of language shelves and ideas for setting up language.
Montessori Mom has a section on reading readiness with links (in the left sidebar) to individual reading activities beginning with the movable alphabet.
I have a post with information about free online access to comprehensive Montessori scope and sequence from Montessori Compass and The Montessori Foundation.
I have a category of posts of language activities.
I have a roundup post with DIY beginning Montessori phonics that contains lots and lots of language resources for both toddlers and preschoolers.
I also have a post with favorite phonics materials for preschoolers.
You’ll find many Montessori language videos in my “Free Montessori Language Videos” post.
Amazon Affiliate:
Do you have a favorite Montessori language activity?
See the rest of the posts in my Montessori curriculum areas series here:
- Montessori Practical Life Activities
- Montessori Sensorial Activities
- Montessori Math Activities
- Montessori Cultural Activities
- Montessori Elementary
Learn more about my eBook Montessori at Home or School: How to. Teach Grace and Courtesy!
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This post couldn’t be more timely for me. I’m just starting into the reading/writing years and activily looking up ideas on how to go about it. Thank you!
You’re welcome, Michelle! I’m glad this came at the right time for you!
What a wealth of resources! I opened them all to check them out. 🙂 Thank you!
I’m so glad you’re finding them helpful, Michelle! I haven’t found anything better than Montessori for teaching reading and writing. Have fun – and I hope everything’s going well as you get back into the swing of your normal schedule!
Thanks so much for this post and your email. I truly appreciate the guidance. Kindly, Kerri
Thanks for your kind words, Kerri! I’m happy if I can help!
I love the resources that you have listed here. I started out with the Shu-Chen albums (also loved the variety of practical life activities) and progressed through the others also. I haven’t ran across Montessori Mom, thanks for posting!
Thanks SO much for your comment, Kyle! I love hearing what worked for your Montessori homeschool!
Again, you have given us some wonderful links to check out! Stopping by from the Hip Homeschool Hop!
Thanks, Joy! I always love it when you visit!
Thanks for the great post! I have several friends who are just learning about Montessori who are also struggling with teaching reading in their homeschools. I will definetly point them to this post for a list of resouces!
Thanks for your kind words, Staci! I hope your friends find help with some of the resources. I’m amazed at what great resources are available online for free!
Thanks for putting these resources together, it is so nice not to have to weed through a google search on the subject. I am struggling with helping my 5.5 year old daughter read due to the fact she has severe speech delays and can not yet produce many letter sounds. She is in speech therapy, so I am trying to be patient and am contemplating holding back another year or so introducing many of our language materials. I would appreciate any resources you think might be helpful.
Thanks for your comment, Nichole! I think you might find many of the resources helpful from my post on my son’s first pre-reading experiences. https://livingmontessorinow.com/2010/07/18/learning-to-read-can-be-just-fun-game/. The activities are appropriate for toddlers through older preschoolers and should be able to be adapted for your daughter’s needs. Also, I’d really recommend checking out the resources at http://www.infomontessori.com/language/introduction.htm. Wishing you the best!