She enters with a consistently effective communication experience. Her past experiences have proven to her that she can initiate communication and be heard. She is learning to reverse these roles in order to be an effective listener and responder. These communication experiences are the foundation for language learning in the classroom. Teachers, parents, and administrators need to recognize communication as the foundation for the meaningful development of language concepts and skills.
Effective communication depends on authentic relationships between communicative partners.
This is truly the ultimate opportunity to make a difference. Seen in this light, conversations with young children on the playground, during field trips, on the way to the bathroom, in the midst of conflict resolution, during lessons, and countless other times create the context for the development of language skills. Relationships of trust are built between children and teachers and among peers. Classroom work further contributes to language concept and skill development within this context of meaningful communication. Early Literacy Activities Activities related to the development of early literacy skills often greet young children when they visit the language area of a Montessori classroom.