It stands to reason that the development of language skill is the core of education. Far beyond simply learning to read and write in the Montessori classroom language is viewed as the communication of the human spirit. Through language one can create pictures in the mind. One can go back in time to peoples of other ages and cultures. One can project themselves forward into the future and leave something of themselves behind.
Language allows a people to preserve and pass on their heritage.
Through language one can create love or hate. Language is what makes us - human. Furthermore, the Montessori framework for literacy requires that each skill involved in reading and writing be broken down into isolated units that are presented bit by bit to mastery. The mechanics of reading and writing such as phonics, decoding, spelling, grammar, and handwriting all have specific sequential lessons and defined Montessori materials. But learning how to figure out what the word says or what punctuation to use is only one piece of the literacy puzzle.