Sounds Before Letters: How Montessori Builds Strong Early Readers

As parents think about Primary 1 and the years ahead, it’s natural to wonder when their child will begin recognizing words and reading on their own. But learning to read is a journey that can look a little different for every child. 

In Montessori, children are given time to build these skills gradually. Through small, hands-on experiences, children begin to understand how sounds and letters work together, helping them find their way into reading at their own pace.

The Montessori Way

Before a child begins to read, there’s a little listening and exploring to do. They start by noticing the sounds in everyday words, from the first sound in their name to the words they hear in their favorite stories. This ability to hear and recognize sounds in spoken language is called phonological awareness, and it plays an important part in the reading journey.

The US National Early Literacy Panel found that phonological awareness is one of the strongest predictors of later reading success. Closer to home, a 2024 study by NIE researchers Sun and O’Brien, involving 512 bilingual Primary 1 and Primary 3 children in Singapore, found that it was an important predictor of English word reading among Primary 1 learners.

So, how do little ones begin making these connections in a Montessori classroom? 

It starts with listening.

An educator might invite a child to listen for the first sound in “sun” or “ball”, or find things around the classroom that begin with the same sound. Through these little games, children start to notice the sounds that make up the words they hear every day.

Then, they get to know letters by touch.

With sandpaper letters, children trace each letter with their fingers as they learn its sound. This gives them a chance to feel the shape of a letter while becoming familiar with how it looks and sounds.

Before long, they can start putting words together.

Using the movable alphabet, children arrange letters to make simple words, such as “cat”. They listen for the sounds in the word and choose the letters that match. Even before they can read the word on a page, they are beginning to understand how sounds and letters come together to form words.

At House on the Hill, educators take time to observe how each child responds to Montessori materials and activities, and then introduce new challenges when they are ready. Some children may pick up letter sounds quickly, while others need a little more time and practice. The important thing is giving each child the encouragement and space to grow in confidence as they go.

How Parents Can Help at Home

There’s no need for worksheets or formal reading lessons to support your little one's early literacy. Small moments throughout the day can be just as useful.

Play with sounds.

While eating breakfast or getting ready to leave the house, point out sounds in familiar words. You could ask, “What sound can you hear at the beginning of 'milk'?” or see if your child can find something else that starts with the same sound.

Make time for stories.

Reading together doesn't have to mean sitting down and finishing a whole book. Talk about the pictures, ask what your child thinks is happening, or let them choose their favorite story for the third night in a row.

These conversations help children build their vocabulary and understand language, which will support them as they learn to read.

Follow their interest in letters.

If your child starts pointing out letters on shop signs, food packets or books, take the opportunity to explore them together. You can tell them the letter's sound or help them find it elsewhere.

Give them room to try.

When children start putting sounds together or experimenting with letters, it's tempting to step in and correct them straight away. Instead, give them a moment to work things out.

Learning to read involves plenty of trial and error. There's no need to rush through the alphabet just to get ahead. Let their curiosity guide you.

Getting Ready for Primary 1

Being ready for school isn't just about how many words a child can recognize before they start. Being able to hear sounds in words, understand language and make connections between letters and sounds are all part of learning to read. These skills take time to develop.

When looking at preschools, it may be worth asking how reading is introduced, how educators support children who learn at different paces, and whether children have opportunities to explore language through hands-on activities.

At House on the Hill, the Montessori approach puts the focus on helping children understand what they're learning, rather than simply getting them to read as early as possible. After all, the goal isn't just to help them read their first words. It's to help them build the confidence to keep learning.

Curious about the Montessori way? Book a campus tour today!