Language in the Montessori classroom begins in the Infant room. Guides tell the babies what they are going to do "I'm going to pick you up and change your diaper", verbally label items the baby is touching or seeing and narrate what they are seeing or doing "you are smiling at yourself in the mirror". This shows respect for the human being and provides an environment rich in language for developing brains.
These practices are continued into the toddler environment and are broadened by more experiences, and a greater ability to move and explore. A variety of novel and interesting objects are provided to support vocabulary development along with song, stories and nursery rhymes.
On the primary level, phonemic awareness (the ability to identify and manipulate individual sounds in spoken words) is demonstrated and practiced across subject areas. We know that a student's skill in phonological awareness is a good predictor of later reading success or difficulty. Individually and in small groups the children segment, rhyme, blend and break up sounds in words. Letter sounds are taught (sandpaper letters) and wooden letters (moveable alphabet) are manipulated into words and eventually sentences and stories. These all help children develop this critical literacy skill.
