If you're considering a private kindergarten program for your child, choosing the right fit for your child can help them make cognitive, academic, and social skills that can help them excel in school.
Montessori learning is based on the idea of using emotions like curiosity and engagement to acquire new skills. Here are some Montessori literacy games you can use with your child to prepare them for private kindergarten programs.
Alphabet Fun
Learning the alphabet can be like learning a code to a secret language. Many Montessori kindergarten programs use literacy games to help children learn their letters and experiment with building words.
- Letter Cards: You can help your child learn their letter by using a deck of cards and a permanent marker. To make alphabet cards, use a permanent marker to write each letter on two cards in a standard deck of cards. Once you create your letter cards, allow your child to play with the cards. Begin by allowing them to play with the cards without intervention or instruction. You will likely see your child group the cards in pairs.
- Alphabet Organization: Many Montessori kindergarten programs begin literacy acquisition by helping children master their letters. Using your letter cards, encourage your child to organize their cards sequentially. Once they can recognize their letters, encourage them to divide their letter cards into two piles: one for consonants, and one for vowels.
- Word Games: Once your child can consistently organize their letter cards and differentiate between vowels and consonants, you can move on to word building. Many Montessori programs begin word building by starting with a student's name. After they can arrange the letters needed, you can work with them to sound out the syllables.
Phonic Fun
Montessori kindergarten programs aim for independence and higher orders of cognitive development.
- Song Time: One of the easiest ways to help kindergarten-aged children learn phonics is to use the power of songs. Begin by having your child choose a few of their favorite songs. Next, write the chorus of the songs on a piece of paper or whiteboard. Have your child listen to the song and identify each word of the chorus. Once they can identify each word, ask them to sound-out the sounds needed to make each word. Although this activity can feel tedious and frustrating, once your child is able to focus on the sounds that make up each word, they will quickly understand the phonic foundation of each word.