Olivia's Montessori Pre-School
  • About Us
  • Programs
    • Academic School Year
    • Before School Care
    • Summer Program
    • 3 Day PreSchool
  • What is Montessori
    • Montessori Framework
    • Maria Montessori
  • Resources
    • A Note to Parents
    • How Children Learn to Read
  • Admissions
    • Tuition & Fees
    • Application
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Programs
    • Academic School Year
    • Before School Care
    • Summer Program
    • 3 Day PreSchool
  • What is Montessori
    • Montessori Framework
    • Maria Montessori
  • Resources
    • A Note to Parents
    • How Children Learn to Read
  • Admissions
    • Tuition & Fees
    • Application
  • Contact Us
PARENT LOGIN

"THE GOAL OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION SHOULD BE TO ACTIVATE THE CHILD'S OWN NATURAL DESIRE TO LEARN."

- MARIA MONTESSORI

HOW DO CHILDREN LEARN TO READ?

The skill of reading is special - and often difficult to acquire. The fact that anyone learns how to read is something of a miracle. Learning to read is very different from learning to speak; in the development of human history, speaking precedes reading by thousands of years.
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The subconscious path of written language
The human brain is wired for language (Chomsky, Logical Structure of Linguistic Theory, 1955, 75), but language acquisition does not happen without models, the way motor development does. It must be nurtured through contact with human language models. Children who do not receive models of language in early childhood will have varying deficiencies of language later in life.

Spoken language develops both spontaneously and subconsciously. A 2-year old couldn't be taught sentence structure and grammar rules now matter how hard someone might try. As Maria Montessori said, "The only language men ever speak perfectly is the one they learn in babyhood, when no one can teach them anything!" Reading is different. It must be actively taught and consciously learned. If it's not actively taught, then even a life spent surrounded by the printed word will not teach someone who is illiterate how to read.

When a middle aged person finally admits that they don't know how to read, they must start at the beginning just like a child does, learning sounds and sounding out words. Imagine how many printed words - street signs, store names, words on TV - they have seen in a lifetime. But they were never able to simply "pick up" the skill of reading the way a child learns to speak.

The difference between spoken and written language
There are two very different paths for learning a language: the subconscious acquisition of spoken language and the conscious acquisition of written language. Children must be able to subconsciously acquire spoken language; if children lacked this ability, nothing effective would have ever been done by humans. There would be no civilization.

Spoken language and written language are obviously related. One of the clearest examples of this is in the acquisition of vocabulary words. Language experts tell us that in everyday conversation, we use about 5,000 words on a regular basis, and another 10,000 a little less frequently. That gives us about 15,000 "common words", as they are called.

That leaves tens of thousands of other English words. How are they learned? The more complex a text is, whether it's a book, newspaper or magazine article, or webpage, the greater the percentage of "rare words" they contain; that is, words that fall outside of the 15,000 common words. Clearly, the more you read, the bigger your spoken vocabulary.

Another way that speaking and reading are connected is through decoding. Decoding is the process of pulling apart the sounds that each letter makes, and then putting them back together to make a word. It's much easier for a child to sound out a word on the page that they've already heard in conversation, than a completely new word. There's less information to process since the meaning and pronunciation of the word are already known. A child who has heard more words spoken is at an advantage when learning to read.

How does the brain process written words?
Reading is a difficult, multi-step task that must be actively taught and learned. Recent technological breakthroughs have helped to open up what was previously unknown to researchers in terms of how the brain learns to process reading. Beginning readers use one section of the brain to link the phonetic sounds to the appropriate letter, and a second section to turn them into words. It's a process that takes some time, which is why children learning to read often read very slowly. But then something interesting starts to happen: a third section of the brain begins to take over.

This section helps the child build a permanent registry of familiar words that can be recognized on sight. This enables them to read by seeing the whole word instead of stopping to sound it out every time they see it. Reading eventually becomes effortless. Children with dyslexia or other learning disabilities are unable to make a smooth transition between seeing words as individual sounds and seeing them as a complete word. The different sections of the brain - the one that recognize phonetic sounds, the one that sees them as words, and the one that remembers the words - do not work together fluidly.

Montessori philosophy and reading
Maria Montessori recognized that children as young as two had an interest in written letters. The "sandpaper letters" (letters cut out of sandpaper that can be traced) were developed to take advantage of this sensitive period. Montessori had an advantage when teaching in Italy; Italian is mostly phonetic. Once the basic phonetic sounds were learned, reading proceeded quite easily.

Montessori also observed that writing usually proceeded reading. When a child writes, all they need to do is turn sounds into letters. When a child reads, they need to pull apart the letters, turn them into phonetic sounds, and put them back together to make a word. It's a more complicated process. Children in Montessori classrooms often write stories with the movable alphabet long before they can read.

Different approaches to reading
Reading and writing in English provides different challenges. The latest research, from a study done by the National Reading Panel (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 2001) concluded that children must be taught phonetic sounds explicitly in order to learn to read.

In conclusion
It's important as educators and parents (and both), that we understand the mechanics behind the skill of learning a written language. The more we understand, the better able we are when there are problems that need to be addressed. A child who is struggling in reading will not improve with time. They need direct, quick intervention.
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Olivia's Montessori Pre-School
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Montessori Framework
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Admission to our School
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What our parents are saying...

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My son attended the summer program at Olivia's Montessori Pre-School several years ago. The environment of the school had a profound and lasting positive impression on him that helped pave the way to being added to the Honor Roll. It's been five years and the positive impact of having our son in Olivia's school continues. The staff of Olivia's Montessori Pre-School exceed expectations in every way.

Glenn H.

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My review is as a fellow teacher who has observed Olivia's Montessori Pre-School on several occasions, and as a mother who has had her children (now grown) enrolled in other Montessori Schools. I wish Olivia's Montessori had been available for them when they were pre-schoolers, especially my older child…The school environment is organized with the children first and foremost in design. The teachers are focused, well versed in the Montessori method, and quite creative. It is obvious that the children feel comfortable, happy, and engaged with each other, the staff, and the learning experience. I have never met a teacher more devoted to her school and her students than Olivia. 

Debra B.

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…This place is more than a day care, it's a school. She teaches your children how to be independent and how to learn so they will be better prepared when they go to 'big kids' school. Many of the other parents we met have older children who went through the program and talked about how well their kids did when they transitioned and how they were often ahead of the other kids in their new schools. 

Pamela B.

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Very good school - both my daughters went there. It's an environment that encourages empathy and self-efficacy. Structured yet flexible. A very welcoming community. Schedule a tour - you'll be impressed.

Sarah H.

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This preschool changed my outlook on the world and gave our family a wonderful start to what we should expect from the education process…

Jennifer S.

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Our family travels to Memphis in the Summer and my son cannot wait to get to Olivia's! The facility is shady and gorgeous. We are nature enthusiasts and we love the grounds. My son loves the science experiments, outdoor sensorial play and is always happy to be going there.

Eva H.

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…The owner is good with kids and has a LOT of experience with Montessori teaching. Her policies seem strict at first, but are worth it for the great learning experience the kids get…A lot of thinking goes into the curriculum. The classroom environment is peaceful and respectful and emphasizes self-efficacy…  

Sarah B.

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I've had three children attend Olivia's. They are the 8th, 9th, and 10th children in my family (followed by the 11th, and most likely 12th) to attend the school. If you are looking for a place that enables children to become independent while also developing a true love of learning, you must schedule a tour…

Jennifer S.

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Enrolling my kids in this preschool was one of the best parenting decisions I have ever made. My kids have excelled at Olivia's Montessori academically and socially. Each of my children have very distinct personalities, fortunately the Montessori emphasis on individual learning styles allowed both of them to thrive…

Andrea V.

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As good as it gets - my brother and I attended Olivia's, structured establishment that provided me with the tools and skills as a young child to make it through life in all aspects.

Rob M.

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My daughter has severe learning disabilities which makes Montessori and excellent choice. While enrolled at Olivia's, she absolutely thrived!! The curriculum was tailored to her needs and her teachers gave her the structure she needed. As with any child, rules are just as necessary as one-on-one attention. Nobody understands this more than Ms. Olivia. I'm certain my daughter would never be the student she is today without this wonderful school!!

Millie H.

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I know Olivia personally and have never encountered someone with such a genuine passion for her students. The school itself is beautiful! The teachers are hand selected to ensure the students' education and happiness are first and foremost. She is incredibly creative and engaging while maintaining a structured environment that children require to flourish with confidence…

Elizabeth M.

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Both of my children were blessed to be students of Olivia's.  She became a part of our family and a wonderful friend to me. They are now 26 and 29 years old and still think of her as the teacher who helped shape their lives.  Oh, and she still talks to them. Wow, I LOVE this school!!! 

Martha L.

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I was a student at Olivia's two decades ago. The staff's attention and care was unparalleled--students were given latitude to learn and teach with the perfect amount of supervision and guidance from mentors. The brilliance of the methods at this school are amazing…I've made it to NYC at a global consultancy, and I can attribute much of my socialization and worldliness to beginning with my time at Olivia's. She is truly an amazing Memphis gem, and anyone would be remiss to not consider sending their child(ren) there.

Joseph C.

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My daughter started at Olivia's Montessori in Jan 2013 at 3.5 years old.  A year later, she has learned Spanish, Chinese, French, counts to 100, knows shapes, colors, political leaders in the US, and so much more.  The class does a great deal of hands-on learning so she doesn't sit in a room listening about recycling but bringing in recycle items, creating vases, visit a recycle center…

Nikki G.

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We are in our 3rd and final year at Olivia's. I'm so grateful to have found such an amazing program. My daughter has been exposed to three different languages throughout the years thanks to the wonderful parent body and owner's mom. The staff has always been open and kind.  Our experience at Olivia's has been wonderful. If I could get away with it, I would have my daughter repeat kindergarten so that we could stay!

Erica A.

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Back in the early 1990s, I was one of the first groups of students at Olivia's. The foundation I gained at this preschool helped me find my confidence that was necessary to succeed throughout schooling. Now as a college graduate with a master's degree, I teach middle school and I wish some of my students could go back in time to OMP to give them the foundation I had…You'd have a hard time finding the great family-like atmosphere anywhere else in Memphis. Even after 15-20 years, when I see Miss Olivia, she still remembers me and can share specific stories from when I was in preschool. The school cares about the individual to the highest degree. If I'm still in Memphis when I have kids, they will without a doubt attend OMP.

Lauren H.

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Wouldn't dream of sending my child anywhere else. Extremely professional teachers who truly respect children and want to see each child succeed. The skills my kindergartner has mastered are far ahead of the curve compared to peers at other schools…I'm amazed every day when my child shows me a new skill she's learned at this school. Who wouldn't be impressed when a three year old recites all of the continents and points them out on a map?

Jodi H.

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If you are looking for a daycare, this is not the place for you. If you want a true preschool with a nurturing and educational environment, this is the place to go. All 3 of my children have attended OMS. They come home talking about the planets, various countries, reading, and doing advanced math. The best part is that they go outside and are able to explore and learn on their own. This school goes above and beyond any typical preschool. The staff is nurturing and loving. Olivia has lots of rules but they are for the safety of the children and for organization…

Brandi B.

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Olivia's is an excellent preschool!  My 8 year old son who is on the autism spectrum attended her summer day camp last year and thrived.  My stepdaughter attends the preschool during the school year as well.  She loves school and is learning so much.  The teachers are warm and loving and encourage the children to become self-led learners. And what I find to be one of the most wonder aspects of having a student at Olivia's is the effort that goes info building a community of families.  It is really a wonderful place!!

Kathy K.

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Olivia's Montessori School is giving our son the best foundation for his lifelong education. He attended a much larger private preschool at age 3, cried in the mornings on our way to school and never smiled at his former teacher when each day began. We then toured five different preschools to find a better fit for him. Olivia's was the last stop on our list, and we fell in love with her. He began attending OMS at age 4, and now he tells us without any prompting, "Mommy I love my school"..."I hope we have school today." His curiosity and love of learning have blossomed here, and he is developing a stronger sense of responsibility towards others…

Kate M.

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Both of my sons went to Olivia's until their kindergarten year. I feel like Ms. Flasdick prepared them for life. They learned how to clean up after themselves, how to look at people's eyes and say thank you when they received something, they learned grace and courtesy, tolerance, value of hard work, be patient, be kind to others etc. My older son is in college now. He still talks about his years he spent there and goes to visit Ms. Flasdick. She is an excellent teacher, child advocate, always thinks in term of child's benefit. Every decision, rules, procedures are made based on students’ needs and well beings…

Gulcan D.

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CONTACT US
Copyright © 2018 Olivia's Montessori Pre-School 
  • About Us
  • Programs
    • Academic School Year
    • Before School Care
    • Summer Program
    • 3 Day PreSchool
  • What is Montessori
    • Montessori Framework
    • Maria Montessori
  • Resources
    • A Note to Parents
    • How Children Learn to Read
  • Admissions
    • Tuition & Fees
    • Application
  • Contact Us