How is language learned? What factors influence a child's language acquisition? How can we assist children in their process of learning how to read and write? This book discusses the principles of the Montessori Method and Maria Montessori's views of language acquisition in comparison with existing linguistic theories and empirical studies. It also provides a detailed description of the Montessori materials specifically designed for helping children in the acquisition of the written language exploring the late Italian educator's theoretical concepts behind the acquisition of early writing and reading. By giving descriptions, pictures and examples of how the materials would be introduced to children, the author shows how Montessori's hands-on approach would be applied in a classroom setting.