Büyükyalı Uluslararası Montessori Okulu

Books and Us

The habit of reading books and the love for reading begins from birth. Children who have at least 5 books read to them daily between birth and age five will have heard 1 million more words by the time they turn five compared to children who are not read to. The difference here is not just about 1 million more words. Research shows that reading activates different areas of the brain, and this activation lasts for about five days to a week. The effects of this brain activation can be summarized in six key points:

  1. Language Development: Reading supports understanding and comprehension of words, grammar, and story development.
  2. Neural Connections: It helps establish strong connections between neurons.
  3. Concentration: It enhances concentration, reinforces creative thinking, and develops imagination.
  4. Empathy: It fosters sensitivity to understanding other people’s feelings.
  5. Parent-Child Bond: It strengthens the bond between parents and children, especially when reading is shared.
  6. Vocabulary and Reading Skills: Children who grow up with books have a rich vocabulary and are introduced to sounds and letters earlier, making the reading process enjoyable and smooth.

Children who grow up with books have a rich vocabulary and, having encountered sounds and letters earlier, complete the reading process with pleasure and ease.

 

For all these reasons, books are an integral part of our school life. For everyone, young and old, books bring distant places closer, and through stories, our love, interest, and curiosity about people, nature, animals, and many other phenomena grow. Books also help us navigate our social relationships more easily, facilitating social harmony. They assist in defining and expressing our emotions and thoughts. Books offer opportunities to learn about and understand different cultures and lives beyond our own.

At our school, we support all areas of the Montessori curriculum with both Turkish and English children’s literature. While children develop a habit of reading for pleasure with picture books and storybooks, they also continue their education through books that align with projects in culture, art, and natural sciences. When selecting our books, we ensure they are realistic, in line with Montessori philosophy and avoid fantasy characters not found in real life.