Montessori Language: Oral Language Games

Montessori offers a language rich environment, whether in a home or school setting. Spoken language is in every corner of the prepared environment, from the first moment the child interacts with the adult. Montessori adults need a few tricks in their pocket to support oral language in rich, intentional ways. Here are a few of my favorite spoken language games.

I Spy is one of the first language games played in Montessori environments. It is sometimes referred to as the sound game. The premise is simple: collect an assortment of objects, from a basket of objects or from around the environment. Name each object with the child. Then, work on segmenting the word. Start with the initial sound. “I Spy something that starts with ‘b’.” (Use the letter sound, not the letter name). If your child is just starting out, you can even hold the object you are referring to. The goal is to get your child to make the connection between the sound and the object that corresponds with the sound, even with assistance. Once they get the hang of initial sounds, work on ending sounds. “I spy something that ENDS with ‘s’. “ Continue this pattern of activity with the middle sound and then with all sounds (I’m thinking of an object with the sounds c-a-t). I Spy games support phonemic awareness, which is so important to literacy development.

Classification is a spoken language game that can be played anywhere. Say: “Let’s play classification. We are going to name types of fruit. Go!” This game is so engaging and I can’t tell you how many times we have passed the time at a restaurant with classification. And the classifications are endless…breakfast foods, colors, types of flower…we could go on forever! This game supports vocabulary development and the child’s sensitive period for order. Remember, children are classifying everything they encounter.

Songs and Poems are another key component to the Montessori language curriculum. Nursery rhymes and simple poems can be weaved throughout your entire day. Sing in the car, while you’re on a walk or while you cook dinner. Songs and poems that seem uninteresting to adults are so engaging to little children. Feel silly about your singing voice? Don’t. Your child will think you are the next American Idol.