There are 3 periods to the tried and tested 3-Period
Lesson in Montessori presentations. The first period
is where we introduce everything in isolation. ie. one
material at a time. Montessori presentations are done
either on a work table or on the floor… and we use work mats to define our work area/space.

Here’s the presentation order. 

Period 1:

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• This letter makes the sound /c/.
  Show child the sandpaper letter card.
  Click here to hear the /c/ sound. 
• This is how I write/trace /c/. Would you like to try?
  
  
  Invite child to trace the sandpaper letter.

  Tracing sandpaper letters provides a sensorial experience for children. It also helps them to practice the lightness of touch since the sandpaper letter is a little rough. Lightness of touch helps children not to press their pencil too hard (in future) when they are ready for writing. 
  

• Trace the letter again and say to the
  child… /c/ is for cat. 
  

  Would you like to touch the cat?
  Pass the cat to the child. During this time, you may engage the child with discussions on cats.

  For example, 
  Do you like cats?
  What do cats eat?
  How does a cat’s fur feel like?
  What sound does a cat make?
  Can you move like a cat?
  (etc)

  This discussion stage helps the child remember the lesson better.
  Cause…

  1.Child touched the model cat.
  (Materials preferably should not be cartoonish, as realistic to the real thing as possible…)

  2.Child talked about cats.

  3.Child pretended to be a cat.
  (Role play experience)

  All these are learning experiences. The more the child is engaged, the better the retention of information shared.

  However, do bear in mind that the discussion though encouraged, shud
  not stray… distract… or prolong beyond a few minutes… This depending on the number of children involved in da lesson.

  Carry on… 
  

• Trace the letter again and say to the
  child… /c/ is for cap. 

  

  Similarly here, engage the child in mini discussion.

  For example, do you have a cap?
  Does it look like this one that i have here?
  What design would you like on your cap?
  When would you put on your cap?
  Would you like to try this cap on?
  (etc)

  Again, carry on with next object… For 18mths to 3yrs old, since they have a
  shorter attention span… try to give at least three different objects beginning with the letter sound taught for the day.

  Why 3?

  Cos, if you only have 2 objects… During the next lesson, your child can just point anyhow between 2 objects… it’s like one or the other.

  For older children, or children with longer attention span… please, include more objects for more vocabulary and also more sensorial experiences. Not too many till it strays from your lesson, but enough to engage & interest your child(ren) to see through the entire lesson happily.
  

• Trace the letter again and say to the
  child… /c/ is for crayon.

  

  Again, engage the child in small talk.. Simple stuff like what colour, what can
  they draw with crayon, (etc)

  Now, that is the end of Period 1. For Period 2 in the 3-Period Lesson, show
  all the three objects you’ve introduced all at the same time. In this period, you are
  to observe how much of Period 1 has been retained in your child’s mind..  

Period 2: 

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• Can you show me the cap? Stress on the /c/
  sound as you ask/prompt.

  

  Can you show me where’s the cat?
  
  

  Can you show me where is the crayon?
  
  

  That is the end of Period 2.. 

     

  If child points to the correct object, good. If not, it’s ok. It just shows your child may not be at full attention during the first period & that the presentation should be repeated.. but not on the same day/time… Preferably, allow some time to do other stuff or play and get back to doing the same presentation again..

  You are the observer. Observe and make a mental note of where and which part the child got it wrong. It is not unusual in a Montessori lesson that we do not correct a child immediately when a mistake has been made during lesson, with the exception of – if the child is going to hurt him or herself.. or in the process of disrupting a fellow friend’s concentration away from his/her work.

  We come back to the lesson again, thus providing the child the opportunity to get it right the next round.

  Try not to say, "WRONG!" immediately when you observe the child pointing to a wrong object…

  Follow through to finish that period and end it with a simple, "We can do this another day…"

 

Period 3:

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In this period, the child is now tasked to show that he/she can verbalize the words introduced and also the letter sound that begins with the objects shown.

Show each object in isolation in Period 3.

1. Can you tell me what this is…? 
Child : Crayon.
You : Good.

2. Can you tell me what this is…? 
Child : Cat.
You : Good.

3. Can you tell me what this is…? 
Child : Cap.
You : Good.

Today, we have learnt…
(Simultaneously showing the child the sandpaper letter)

… /c/ as in cat…. /c/ as in cap… and /c/ as in crayon.

Tomorrow/On another day, we’ll learn more sounds.
I will place this material on this shelf, so you may
work with it when you feel like it. (Show child the plc)
Now, can you help me put the things away and put it
on that shelf… and next, can you help me roll the mat?
Thank you, i appreciate it.

Don’t be surprised if you see your child picking up the
mat and the material and working with it on their own..
This is when we know that the child is learning through
repetition.

If your child did not get any of the steps right at any
point of the 3-Period lesson, please do not despair…
Always come back to it again another time.. 

Recap

Let’s recap on the 3-Period Lesson…

1st Period : Introduce letter sound & show objects in
isolation. ie. one at a time.

2nd Period : Display all the objects all at once and ask
child to show you, one at a time..

3rd Period : Ask the child to tell you the names of the
objects that you in isolation.. Then recap all the names
and the letter sound taught for the day. 

This activity is suitable for  18MTHS – 3YRS OLD

"What goes through the hand, goes to the mind…"
[Dr Maria Montessori]