Parents write us asking about phonics (sounding out words) versus whole word instruction (reliance on rote memorization of every word) and how these methods of reading instruction mesh with the Montessori Method.

Montessori education focuses on teaching children letter sounds and how to sound out phonetically words that can be sounded out.  For words that use slightly more difficult constructions such as question, we teach children to identify the difficult components (qu and tion) in the word, providing many examples of the same construction in different words such as queen or quilt for qu and mention or suggestion for -tion. 

We start with the Sandpaper Letters to teach letter sounds.  The ABCs are taught a bit later to avoid confusion.

Sandpaper Letters are made from very fine-grained sandpaper, which allows children to engage their sense of touch as well as sight and sound as they start learning.  Vowels are mounted on pink or red cards and consonants are mounted on light blue or dark blue cards.  The cards are fairly large -- about seven to ten inches long and correspondingly wide.

Introduce your child to one letter at a time.  Start with the letter m (it is easy because the ending is smooth, unlike, for example, the letter t).  Using your pointer and index fingers, trace the letter in the direction in which it is written.  Say the sound of the letter, mmmmm, as you trace it.  Let your child try.  You will be amazed at how much young children love this activity!

If your child is ready to learn more now (otherwise, wait till next time), introduce the letters o and p in the same way.   After your child knows about eight sounds, you can introduce the Movable Alphabet to show him or her how to form words.   If your child notices that the letters form a word before you move on, affirm his or her observation enthusiastically and then move to the Movable Alphabet.

The Movable Alphabet is an alphabet set in which each letter is cut out, not on a card.  This allows your child to handle and feel the difference in each letter, which can help a lot in the learning process. 

More next time!

Visit our eBay store to read more about Montessori.  Our "Sounds & Words" DVD introduces all the Sandpaper Letter concepts and then moves to Movable Alphabet word formation.  The DVD should be used with the Movable Alphabet, we carry a cardboard edition, or you can make your own.