I'm very attracted to Maria Montessori's work. I've spent a long time researching and reading her works and about how to implement her philosophy. I love how Mrs. Montessori really recognized the potential of a child in learning. She recognized the absorbent mind at the young ages, and illustrated how there are different sensitive periods of learning. It's easy to recognize how children need the tangible, sensory types of learning at a young age. She really did see the beautiful gifts of a young child, and tried to respect the child.I am so excited that I found such a goldmine for incorporating Montessori approach in the home for the younger ages. I bought Mommy, Teach Me! and Mommy, Teach Me to Read! by Barbara Curtis. Both are slim volumes, packed with encouragement and information, but not intimidating or overwhelming. I would say she's a modern Elizabeth Hainstock, but makes the Montessori in the home even more parent friendly and less intimidating and scientific. The emphasis isn't about making one's own materials, like Hainstock, but more about making it all approachable and doable for mothers in the home.
Mrs. Curtis is a mother of twelve and homeschools her children and does understand the needs of a child and busy SAH moms. She had AMI training and taught Montessori in the classroom. She shares her knowledge and experience with other parents. She recognizes the role of God and our spiritual lives in education.
Mommy, Teach Me to Read! is just what I need right now, since my son is on the brink of reading. Mrs. Curtis explains the sensitive period for reading happens before the child is six, agreeing with Montessori "the first five years of a child's life involve a period of intense absorption and learning. God has built into each child the potential for seeking knowledge."
The book is broken down into three stages, Birth to Two Years, Two to Five Years, and Five to Seven Years. The first stage is laying down the groundwork, first by the way we talk to our child, and then by reading to the child, from a very early age and continually. Incorporating books isn't in the Montessori approach; beautiful picture books weren't in Maria Montessori's day, but we have them now, and we should incorporate them in our learning environments, even if we are using a Montessori approach. The books Mrs. Curtis suggests throughout to read-aloud or for early readers are those that have stood the test of time.
The next level, two to five, is when the learning-to-read happens. It's all based on a phonetic approach using the 3 period lesson Montessori style. She uses simple terms like the Sound Game, the Letter Game, and the Word Game, but they all incorporate the Montessori approach to language (sandpaper letters, movable alphabet, phonetic objects).
The final stage, five to seven, is reinforcement and further exploration into language, showing patterns in grammar, although not necessarily identifying parts of speech.
And it all is very natural and doable. Mrs. Curtis emphasizes that this is is just an approach, "[i]t's not a straitjacket," so take what works for you, and move on if it doesn't. For those mothers who are seeking approachable and successful ways to teach your preschooler at home, especially to learn to read, I highly recommend both of her Mommy, Teach Me! books.
Product Description
There is a growing realization that most learning takes place among kids before they enter kindergarten, when every boy and girl's drive to discover is strongest.
And in a world where reading means succeeding, you can inspire a lifelong love of books and language in your child at home with Mommy, Teach Me to Read!. The easy-to-learn, fun-to-follow reading program and activities presented here will help you build a foundation of joyful learning on which your child can continue to build in the coming years.
Author Barbara Curtis, a Montessori teacher and mother of twelve, uses a wealth of common sense to dispel the mystique of professionalism that surrounds the teaching of children and shares insight about each child's God-given potential for learning, while helping parents discover their own potential as teachers.
"Don't invest another dollar in reading materials before you've finished reading this book," she advises. "You may be very surprised at how simple it actually is to produce an excellent and enthusiastic reader."
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