"Speak the Speech, I Pray You:" Setting the Stage for Language Development in the Primary Child

by Anne Kruk, All Day Primary Teacher

"When will my child learn to read?" "When will my child learn to write?" These are the most common questions parents ask of me. There is no exact answer to either question: every child is different, and will master these processes at their own pace, just as they learned to walk when their bodies and minds were ready.

Knowing how you are already helping your child on this journey can free you to enjoy watching them blossom into reading and writing.

In Montessori we often say that we start with writing; that is only half true. Writing does precede reading, but in developing a child's language skills, something else comes before both of those: spoken language. Spoken language is the basic foundation of all language, and is the most important skill for the young child to master.

By learning to listen with comprehension, speak meaningfully, and converse fluently, the child masters many linguistic concepts long before they are introduced to the symbols of language. The everyday interactions you are already having with your child are the most fertile ground to plant seeds of understanding and interest in language.


Reading books aloud is one of childhood's most memorable experiences of the spoken word; many of us, as adults, can fondly recall the favorite books of our childhood. When you read a story aloud to your child at bedtime, you are helping them develop warm, happy associations with storytelling, as well as absorb basic narrative structure. When it is time to read, your child will already carry with them the enthusiasm for reading you have shown them. Even as children get older and begin to read on their own, feel free to continue reading to them at times, rather than pressuring them to read for themselves. Being read to is a distinct activity, one that does not hamper the development of independent reading, but rather shows there are many ways to enjoy language and stories.

         

Conversation at home is another foundational experience. Talking over dinner, in the car, or while playing together teaches the give and take of natural conversation. By conversing with your children, they come to understand that what they have to say is meaningful and valued. A child who believes their thoughts are important will be more confident, and excited to express themselves in writing when the time comes.

In the classroom, the first language works we introduce capitalize on the importance of spoken language in preparing for reading and writing. Sound Games help children learn aurally to distinguish the different sounds that make up words. Once children are readily able to break words aloud into their sounds, they are presented with the Sandpaper Letters, which introduce the alphabet in a special way: through the sounds letters make, rather than the names of the letters. Success with both of these works is obviously dependent on the child's aural skills, emphasizing once again how critically important it is for children to be confident and practiced in spoken language skills.



Every parent wants their child to be intellectually curious and academically successful, and as a society we understand that reading and writing are necessary prerequisites to achieve those qualities. The next time your child tells you a long, rambling story about the interesting rock they found on the playground, or asks you to read Goodnight Moon for the umpteenth time, you can happily reflect that their enthusiasm for spoken language now will help them develop confident literacy skills when they are ready.