This presentation explores the essential role of phonological and phonemic awareness in transforming the developing brain, and demonstrates how to extend early literacy practices in the Montessori classroom to better prepare all children to read and write with skill and confidence. Through interactive activities and a review of current reading research you will learn to recognize clues that children need a more robust, systematic approach to phonological and phonemic awareness, and leave with specific strategies for instruction and ideas for materials that lessen adult-ownership and promote independent practice.