The Toolkit for Montessori Educators

Dysgraphia is a specific learning difference that affects a student’s handwriting, spelling, and written expression. Often overlapping with dyslexia, dysgraphia can impact students' ability to demonstrate knowledge, keep pace with assignments, or feel confident in their academic work. As Montessori educators, we can build on our natural strengths—hands-on learning, individualized instruction, and deep observation—to provide targeted and effective support. 1. Tools for Writing Handwriting Supports Try paper with much wider lines and much narrower lines, try thick lead and thin lead, experiment with pencil grips--each child might need something different to find their most successful strategies. Slant Boards  (or  DIY with 3 inch binders ) for better hand positioning and posture Raised Line Paper or Highlight Lines The  Twist and Write  pencil - an OT favorite, I highly recommended it!  Mechanical  pencils Pencil Grips Core Strength Wobble stools   Bal...

Dyscalculia is a learning difference characterized by challenges with number sense,  understanding  magnitude , and mathematical working memory.  This can make it difficult to move from concrete materials to abstract thinking, even with strong Montessori instruction.  The tools below are designed to strengthen understanding, provide additional structure, and support students in building more secure number sense over time. Recommended Resources YouCubed.org  - Online home of Jo Boaler's Mathematical Mindsets . Learn about  5-10 minute number talks, an evidence-based practice that emphasizes process over performance, builds understanding and confidence, and supports diverse thinking DyscTest.com - Going through this dyscalculia screener yourself can give you a greater understanding of the cognitive challenges these students face Understood.org   LDonline.org Classroom Strategies Daily practice with basic operations - Let students choose materials,...

Dyslexia affects roughly 1 in 5 people, making it the most common learning disability. The Montessori Method—with hands-on materials, child-centered environments, and expert scaffolding —already align well with many dyslexia-supportive approaches to learning. However, learners struggling to read require additional, structured reading support to thrive. Check out signs of dyslexia at different ages from Understood.org. When concerns arise, early, targeted interventions can have a significant impact.