Join Linda Apostol, Montessori homeschool expert and author, as she shares how the prepared adult plays a vital role in language development within Montessori education. With 20 years of experience, Linda shows us that language development goes beyond vocabulary — it’s about building real, meaningful connections.
In this session, you’ll learn about:
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The neurological and creative aspects of language
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Why immersion matters more than direct instruction
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How our tone, actions, and behavior shape children’s language development
Linda also offers practical tips like how to define, describe, and notice with children every day, the importance of daily language rituals, and how to create emotionally safe spaces for children to thrive.
She’ll wrap up with powerful insights on how storytelling, narration, and listening build not just language skills, but emotional security too.
In this video
Talking with children, and how much of their language comes from the people around them, is the thread of Lynda Apostol's talk for parents and teachers of young children. Everyday moments include narrating while you cook, telling stories and really listening to your child. Your tone and presence get their own chapter, and so do books and real experiences. The Q&A turns to your own daily rituals for calmer mornings.
Chapters
- 0:00 Welcome: the adult as a child's first language material
- 3:51 Language is caught, not taught, so the adult is the model
- 12:38 Define, describe, notice: talking with children, not at them
- 18:57 Daily language rituals like narrating while you cook
- 23:09 Storytelling, narrating and really listening to your child
- 28:10 Comment instead of quizzing so children feel safe to talk
- 30:37 How books, materials and real experiences teach language
- 35:19 Tone, presence and the adult's daily reflection
- 42:07 Q&A: the adult's own daily rituals for calmer mornings
