The Right Time to Begin Formal Grammar Instruction

Determining the right time to begin formal grammar instruction is a critical factor in fostering a love of language and writing among students. Often, instructors are tempted to jump into the complexities of grammar at an early stage, overlooking their students’ developmental readiness. 

This approach, while well-intentioned, can lead to unnecessary frustration, as younger children tend to lack the abstract thinking abilities necessary to appreciate many of the subtleties of grammar.

At Demme Learning, we believe it is best to begin formal grammar instruction after the age of 9, since by then, most children will be reading chapter books and can focus for longer periods of time.

Before that time, trying to explain the abstractions of grammar is often confusing to students, and not immediately applicable. However, encouraging them to read at an early age is a great way to begin laying the foundation for grammar instruction because it will help provide a frame of reference for future grammatical concepts. 

Reading, Writing, and Grammar

There are important connections between reading, writing, and grammar, which is why we suggest students learn to read before formal grammar instruction begins. 

Learning to read enables younger students to begin visualizing grammar, especially as it relates to the order of words. Since text clearly presents grammar structure, reading simplifies the understanding of basic grammar, such as how subjects and verbs are arranged.

Understanding grammar is more important for writing than for reading. After all, you can’t write if you can’t read what you’ve written. Reading helps lay the foundation for grammar, and grammar helps lay the foundation for writing. 

When assigning reading materials, instructors should choose books that already embody correct grammar. When it comes to reading skills, students primarily need to have a robust vocabulary and the ability to sound out words. Once these elements are in place, learning grammar becomes more intuitive, and before long, students are constructing new sentences that conform to conventional grammar rules. 

Grammar Before Age 9

While formal grammar instruction should begin around the age of 9, informal grammar instruction will naturally occur before that age. Grammar is a huge field, and many students start to pick up basic grammar quite early. 

Simple grammar concepts aren’t likely to cause problems or confusion, so it’s OK—using natural discourse and oral corrections—to guide younger students toward proper grammar usage. 

For example, distinguishing a noun from a verb isn’t overly complicated, and many students intuitively understand the difference even if they don’t use the proper nomenclature to identify one from the other. Basic punctuation practices, such as capitalization and periods at the ends of sentences, are also suitable concepts for young learners. 

These teachable moments don’t really qualify as grammar instruction, per se, but they do involve syntactic awareness and are part of naturally learning basic language rules.

On the other hand, complex concepts, such as adverbial clauses, can be frustrating to learn before the age of 9. Older students, who are more experienced readers and may have seen various types of clauses, are much better equipped to absorb these kinds of grammatical concepts.  

Occasionally, young learners who are curious or more advanced may become interested in grammar rules and be better able to understand them. This is great! But it’s also important not to push them into learning grammar too early; instead, let them be guided by their own innate curiosity.

Teaching Grammar Too Late

While we emphasize that it’s best to teach grammar after age 9, delaying it too long can also pose challenges. 

Research suggests there is a critical period for language acquisition, including grammar, which extends into adolescence. Beyond this period, learning grammar becomes more difficult, not because older learners can’t learn grammar, but because the ease with which they pick up new linguistic structures begins to decrease. 

In other words, while early grammar instruction might not be necessary for very young children, introducing grammar lessons too late can hinder a student’s language proficiency.

So, how late is too late? According to research conducted by Ellen Bialystok, a psychology professor at York University who studies language acquisition, the age at which students begin to lose aptitude for grammar proficiency is about 15.  

Since grammar helps with writing more than reading, late grammar instruction is likely to hurt a student’s writing abilities more than anything else. This can even lead to situations where a student has strong reading abilities but poor writing skills.

This is why we recommend 9 as the appropriate age to start formal grammar instruction. Starting at 10 or even 11 might not be a problem, especially if your student develops reading skills late. But if your student is already an avid reader, there’s no reason to hesitate.

Understanding Intuitive Grammar

Children begin speaking in full, grammatically correct sentences long before the age of 9. They have an implicit grasp of the grammar of their language, but they don’t consciously understand what they are doing.

Modern linguistics suggests that all humans are born with an inherent understanding of universal grammar and syntax. As we grow, our brains adapt these abstract structures to the specific rules and vocabulary of the language we speak. Yet this grammar isn’t codified into any official rules. Instead, it’s more like riding a bicycle–you just know how to do it, even without someone explaining every step.

This is why children can learn to read without formal grammar instruction and why teaching grammar rules too early isn’t particularly valuable.

The Value of Formal Grammar Instruction

While children naturally learn grammar through exposure to the language of their environment, formal grammar instruction starting at the age of 9 is still necessary to refine and expand their linguistic capabilities. 

At this developmental stage, students are not only more receptive to understanding the formal aspects of language but also begin to see its practical applications in writing and communication. 

Formal grammar lessons also build on the language that’s been acquired and introduce structured rules and principles that underpin more articulate speech and writing. Besides developing a strong foundation for writing, grammar instruction also enhances children’s ability to express themselves clearly and accurately and prepares them for the challenges that come with more advanced learning, such as writing essays and interpreting literature.  

By grounding them in the fundamentals of grammar, instructors give students the tools necessary for academic success and effective communication in the real world.

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Demme Learning provides innovative learning solutions for homeschoolers, parents, and small group learning environments.

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