A small child, because of his sensitivity, can pick up a language just by hearing it.  However, this sensitivity to language is only in the first six years.  From an early age, the child’s absorbent mind absorbs all language given to him. Conversation, storytelling and poems, songs and rhymes, use of CDs and access to books all help to develop his learning of the English language. We use Montessori materials to prepare the child for reading using phonics. Starting with the Sandpaper Letters, each child is introduced to phonetic sounds and then develop their reading and writing skills at their own pace.  Montessori exercises develop the pincer grip which is needed for writing.

Irish language is also included in our curriculum on a daily basis.  We speak Irish words and phrases each day so that the children are familiar with Gaeilge when they go on to primary school.

We welcome children from other cultures and respect that parents may speak their native language at home and they are learning English as their second or third language.  Some of the children have little or no English when they start in our Montessori, so we make a particular effort to help each child to acquire English vocabulary. The teacher works on a one-to-one basis  with each individual child.  So far, we have taught children from Sudan, Libya, Romania, Germany, Lebanon, Brazil, Italy and France.  We are confident that the children leave here with a very good understanding of the English language.  Each child develops at their own pace.