The Montessori method builds reading and writing skills long before a child picks up a pencil
Pre-Writing Skills Begin With the Hands
During this week’s Kaye’s Wednesday Wisdom, Kaye Boehning from Tomorrow’s Promise Montessori Schools reminded us that some of the most important educational foundations aren’t built with pencils—but with play. Specifically, the kind of intentional, hands-on work that uses tweezers, puzzles, and even spoons.
As Kaye explained, young children first learn to grasp utensils using an “infantile fist grasp,” which uses large muscles in the hand. But true handwriting requires a more refined “tripod grasp”—the use of the thumb, index, and middle fingers working together. Montessori educators help children strengthen these muscles long before they ever trace a letter. The activities may look like fun and games, but they serve a greater purpose.
Puzzles, Practical Life, and Purposeful Play
Montessori classrooms are designed to introduce these fine motor activities early and often. Kaye shared that puzzles with knobs, for example, aren't just toys—they are tools that promote muscle coordination and strength in a child’s dominant writing fingers. These start with larger knobs for toddlers and progress to smaller ones as children grow.
Then there’s spooning, pouring, and tweezing exercises. In Montessori classrooms, children transfer small objects from one bowl to another using tweezers, tongs, or even bare hands. These tasks are always done left to right—a deliberate choice that also trains the brain for the directional pattern of reading and writing in English.
And when one child finishes the activity? They rotate the tray so it’s ready for the next classmate. Even cleanup becomes a moment to model order and consideration—something Montessori education values just as much as academics.
Scientific Support for the Method
While these activities might seem simple, research confirms their long-term impact. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, fine motor skills are closely linked to academic achievement, especially in early literacy and math. In fact, a 2017 study published in Early Childhood Research Quarterly found that preschoolers with strong fine motor coordination were significantly more likely to succeed in both reading and writing by first grade.
Another study from the University of Washington’s Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences found that early handwriting practice—even using fingers in sand or tracing letters with tactile materials—activates the same brain areas associated with language processing and memory. These aren’t just physical skills—they’re cognitive, too.
Building Independence and Confidence
The beauty of Montessori isn’t just in the learning—it’s in the way it empowers the child. “Children in our classrooms aren’t just completing tasks,” Kaye said. “They’re building independence and confidence with every movement.”
This autonomy is at the heart of the Montessori philosophy, which believes children are naturally curious and capable when given the right tools and environment. That environment is carefully crafted with purpose, rhythm, and respect.
A Model That’s Produced World-Changing Thinkers
If it sounds like Montessori builds future innovators, that’s because it often does. Jeff Bezos, the founders of Google (Sergey Brin and Larry Page), and Julia Child are just a few notable former Montessori students. In fact, Google co-founder Larry Page has publicly credited Montessori education with teaching him to think for himself and pursue his passions.
And here in Huntsville, Kaye Boehning and the staff at Tomorrow’s Promise are doing the same—one spoon, one puzzle, one child at a time.
About Tomorrow’s Promise Montessori Schools
Tomorrow’s Promise Montessori Schools creates a joyful learning environment that fosters each child’s independence and respect for their unique developmental path. Guided by Montessori principles, Tomorrow’s Promise emphasizes hands-on exploration, real-world connections, and social-emotional growth. Through a supportive and inclusive community, they empower children to reach their fullest potential. For more information, visit tomorrowspromise.info.
Sources:
- American Academy of Pediatrics. “The Power of Play: A Pediatric Role in Enhancing Development in Young Children.” (2018)
- Early Childhood Research Quarterly. “Fine Motor Skills and Academic Achievement.” (Vol. 40, 2017)
- University of Washington I-LABS. “Writing by Hand: More Brain Power Than Typing?” (2014)
- The Montessori Foundation. “The Montessori Difference”
- Forbes. “The Montessori Mafia: Why Do So Many Innovators Come From Montessori?” (2011)