The foundations of literacy are laid down before your child even stars pre-school. Your child has been learning from you at an astounding rate and will know many words and how to use them. This vocabulary will continue to expand as they learn more of the world about them and are exposed to new experiences. This is why reading to your children is so important to continue to expand their vocabulary to new words and reinforce what they already know.

__The Montessori approach to literacy is phonic-based. As well as providing a framework for teaching. It will introduce literature and a good range of pre-literacy games such as memory games, I spy etc. Early writing starts as mark making often comes before reading.  In a Montessori classroom children will be exposed to phonic sounds and word building using equipment called the LARGE MOVABLE ALPHABETS.

_SANDPAPER LETTERS are used to teach phonic letter sounds by touch as well as by sight and sound.  The reading programme progresses through three levels: pink, blue and green, reading materials.  There are reading materials and objects for each level.

_For example inside a small box a child finds a tiny hat.  She/he takes it out, says the word, listens to the sounds in it and then looks for the letters which make those sounds to build the word.  Writing skills are learned by painting, colouring and drawing. A wide range of story and reference picture books are always available in the classroom as well as rhyme bags and storytelling props.