Language Learning: Three Year Olds

When working with toddlers using the Montessori philosophy, there are many written resources and videos shown on that topic all over the internet. Then, there is a shift from pure, at-home toddlerhood bliss to a more academic framework that happens in using Maria's methodology as children of 3 years old move into the "Children's House" or a Primary classroom meant for children ages 3-6 within the walls of a Montessori school. If you are wanting to homeschooling using Montessori, at this age you typically look for Montessori albums along with a scope and sequence to set you on your path to deciding the order of the lessons and the method by which to teach it. 

However, there is a certain group of parents/caregivers, who seem to be forgotten in this trajectory. They are the parents who have been doing "Montessori at home" with their toddlers and now they have a three year old who is still home with them. They do not have plans to homeschool them or learn/invest in the time and resources that entails, BUT they also do not have the means/desire/ability to send their child to a Montessori school and will be sending them to either a traditional school or a different type of schooling within the next year or two. So, they love the method, the philosophy, and all that this way of life has brought to their family and their child, but don't know what steps to take next to best support their child. When this question was brought to me, I was left slightly speechless (and I very rarely am) as to what direction to send them in next.

So, I did what I do and got to asking questions, having lengthy discussions, searching for specific needs, and then planning in how I could help people in this situation (or those who knew they would eventually be in this situation). I have created this specific resource below for the parents or caregivers of three year olds. This resource is specifically about learning language and early literacy skills for typically developing three year olds. However, this resource is for any child who is ready for it regardless of age. I also created this with the lens that education and learning should be accessible to all, not just those who can afford it. This resource is completely free and I have given many ways to help you have the tools to guide your child in learning these necessary early literacy skills for free or for a very low cost.

Who else is this for? As a homeschooling parent myself, a lot of what I have provided is helpful information I would have loved to personally have had as I was starting out. Also, if your child is attending a Montessori school, this may give you an insight as to why some things are done the way they are or give you some ideas in how you could support their learning in small, casual ways at home.

My only caveat in using this resource is that this should not be used as an "extra" for after school time if your child attends a school nor should this or any of my resources take up the majority of your day together. Building the foundation for literacy learning should be valued. But you know what else is valuable? Playing outside, getting their hands in some mud, playing with friends, learning the social norms at different places in their community, learning the skills and tools for regulating their emotions, spending time bonding and connecting with you, cooking and baking together, playing a board game together, going on a vacation. All of these have real, tangible value to the life of your child. This is one piece, albeit an important one, but these are all important, valuable pieces to a larger puzzle of your child's childhood. Lean into the idea that they will never be this age again and once they start school in a traditional sense, you may never have this quantity of time with them, day in and day out, again. Use this resource as inspiration, information, and a tool in your tool belt. 

This is my labor of love to you. So, now that you have this, take a deep breath and know that you've got this.