Samantha Westmoreland: A Better Approach to Literacy

Samantha Westmoreland is a former public school teacher and is currently the writer-in-residence at Guidepost Montessori. She possesses deep knowledge of the Montessori pedagogy and approach.

In this episode, you'll learn about the Montessori approach to literacy, its effectiveness in teaching reading, and why Montessori students often surpass average reading levels. We discuss the engaging reading and sound games that make learning fun, and how Montessori capitalizes on the critical window when children are most receptive to language acquisition. We also explore practical tips for parents interested in adopting a Montessori approach to teaching literacy at home.

Chapters:

0:00 - Intro

2:50 - The Montessori Approach to Literacy

4:04 - Samantha's Career as a Public School Teacher

8:17 - The Draw to Montessori

11:35 - Montessori vs. Public School in Stages of Development

13:14 - Literacy in Montessori

17:23 - The Sweet Spot of Language

21:56 - How Does Montessori Introduce Children to Language?

24:22 - Sound Games & Learning to Read

32:06 - Writing Before Reading

36:45 - How Public Schools Teach Literacy

39:40 - Is Formal Instruction Necessary to Learn How to Read?

44:36 - Why Do Montessori Students Love to Read?

47:45 - Preparing Toddlers to Read

49:48 - Helping Children Who are Resistant to Reading

52:36 - Teaching Older Children to Read

55:27 - Top Advice for Taking a Montessori Approach as a Parent

59:53 - The Power of Phonetics

1:01:28 - Where to Connect & Learn More

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Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

Dr. Montessori’s Own Handbook - Maria Montessori

Montessori From the Start - Paula Polk Lillard & Lynn Lillard Jessen

Connect with Samantha Westmoreland:

Twitter | https://x.com/_samantha_joy

Substack | https://higherground.substack.com

Connect with Hannah Frankman:

Twitter | https://twitter.com/HannahFrankman

RebelEducator | https://twitter.com/rebelEducator

Website | http://hannahfrankman.com

Follow along for conversations on education, lifestyle, personal development, and freedom. All in ardent pursuit of a life well lived.