How to Teach Reading Using Montessori Word and Picture Cards

Maria Montessori had many great ideas when it comes to teaching children how to read. The best way to read with the Montessori method is to use the word and picture cards. These are cards that are specially designed for a child's smaller hands and fingers, and self-correcting so the children can use them on their own. Learning to read with Montessori word and picture cards is one of the best ways for children to learn this lifelong skill.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Sit down in the word and picture card center with the child. This should be the only time that you are with the child while they are doing the word and picture cards, because usually the children will be doing them on their own.

2. Show them the word and picture cards. The picture cards should have pictures of items on them. The word cards will have the words printed on them.

3. Teach them that the cards only fit together one way. The words that spell out the names of the pictures only fit onto the corresponding picture cards and do not fit onto any other cards.

4. Help them do one card. Show them that the CAT word will only fit onto the picture of the cat, and nothing else.

5. Watch them do one or two cards. Make sure that they have the hang of the cards and then leave them to do it on their own.

Tips & Warnings

• The cards are self-correcting; children should be able to do them on their own.