Storybook Extensions and Literacy Skills

The Montessori language curriculum features a variety of works to build literacy skills from simple to complex. As children choose works from the language shelf they are developing an understanding of concepts such as visual matching, concept matching, rhyming, sequencing, letter identification, sound-letter correspondence, sight word recognition, narrative drawing and story writing, book making, and reading early reader books. The materials and activities are designed to be visually appealing to our young learners and are geared towards tactile, hands-on learning, as we know that children learn best when they can independently handle, explore, and experiment with materials. 

One of the most popular activities available to children are story book extensions, which consist of a book and accompanying props children can use to act out the story. This work helps children to connect with books, supports beginning reading skills such as sequencing and the understanding of characters and book themes, and offers experiences for children to develop their oral language skills. We find that these activities appeal to children’s love of holding objects that they can use for dramatic play, and children are very drawn to the social nature of the work. They can retell the story with a friend, sharing the various props, and as they turn the pages of the book, they are using visual cues to retell the story in sequence. 

This year, the Classroom C team observed several of their older, returning children helping our younger students with the storybook extensions. The older learners are being asked by younger students to present the work and read the book aloud to them. It’s been a wonderful way for the older children to take on leadership in the classroom and to boost their confidence and literacy skills!