Montessori at home, number extensions

Maria Montessori believed in introducing children to concrete (hands-on) learning materials in the Early years. This allows children to better understand concepts such as letters and numbers which are abstract. Activities are introduced simply and concretely in the early years and are reintroduced several times during the following years at increasing degrees of abstraction and complexity.

Montessori believed that all humans are born with a “mathematical mind”,So all mathematical concepts in a Montessori class are introduced in a concrete form. For example; Number rods, which in an abstract form are 1-10. Each rod has a 10cm section to represent a number, so rod 1 is 10cm long, rod 2 is 20cm long with red and blue sections so the child can count 1, 2; and so on with the last rod being 100cm long to represent 10, the red and blue colours alternating.

Each rod, or any Mathematical material in a Montessori classroom can be felt and manipulated to give the hand a memory and the child can internalise the mathematical concept. This approach to maths is logical, clear and extremely effective. A child can progress at their own pace toward abstract concepts, they can repeat activities or move on to another Montessori activity.

What we have developed here (shown in the photos) is an extension that can be done at home. This is an extension of "cards and counters", which reinforces the number symbol with quantity and introduces the concept of odd and even (which we can talk about later!). Also shown is forming numbers with play dough.

So all you need to do this at home is to download the pdf on the Montessori page, print, laminate and add some play dough!

Tip: Do the activity first (keep them as two separate activities) and only give your child the amount of play dough you used, this is their control of error.

This activity not only reinforces the concrete learning of number symbols and quantities up to 10 but is also great for fine motor skills, strengthening hand muscles ready for writing, developing concentration and self confidence; because they can see they have achieved!!

Have fun with your little Montessorians, and give us some feedback! Peace.