Our Montessori reading program is designed to nurture a deep love for language and empower children to become confident readers at their own pace. Through hands-on, sequential activities, children naturally progress from foundational language skills to reading fluency.
We begin with the basics—introducing children to the phonetic sounds of each letter. Using tactile materials like sandpaper letters, children trace the shapes of letters while hearing and repeating their sounds. This multi-sensory approach helps establish a strong connection between the visual symbol, the sound it represents, and the muscle memory of forming the letter.
Children engage in activities like matching objects or pictures to their beginning sounds and playing phonemic awareness games. These exercises build their ability to recognize and manipulate sounds within words, laying the groundwork for reading.
Writing is a key step in the Montessori journey to reading. As children develop their fine motor skills, they practice forming letters using movable alphabets, chalkboards, and other hands-on tools. This empowers them to express themselves and construct words before they formally begin to read them. Writing their own words gives children a concrete understanding of how sounds come together to form language.
As children gain confidence in identifying sounds and constructing words, they are naturally prepared to begin reading. They start with phonetic words, progressing to more complex phonograms and sight words. Carefully curated materials like word cards, simple books, and matching games help reinforce their growing skills.
Each child’s progress is individually guided, allowing them to develop at their own pace while celebrating their unique achievements. By connecting reading to topics that interest them, we cultivate an intrinsic motivation to explore the written word.
At Marigold Montessori, we view reading not just as a skill but as a pathway to unlocking curiosity, creativity, and lifelong learning. Through this thoughtful and engaging program, children gain the confidence and joy that comes with discovering the power of language.