Montessori Moment: Math
An introduction to teen beads
We discussed the Sensorial area last, and a logical next area to explore is Math! One of the key concepts of our work in a Montessori classroom is Maria’s idea that children have an absorbent mind from birth to age 6. We all know that children are like sponges, so of course we would begin to introduce mathematical concepts at an early age. However, this does not mean starting with “1+1=2”.
The overarching theme of the Math area is moving from concrete to abstract. We want the child to have a solid, tactile idea of what numbers even are before moving on to operations.
In Primary, children begin working by counting with 1:1 correspondence with materials like the Spindle Boxes. Here, they get to experience what one spindle feels like in their hand and sounds like dropping into the “1” section of the Spindle Box, compared to ten spindles that can barely fit into their hand by the end of their counting. With this material there is also the joyous discovery of zero. “Zero means nothing, so no spindles will go there!”
A similar idea can be found with the Number Rods which range from 10cm long (the “one” rod) to 1m long (the “10” rod). Experiencing numbers as length appeals to the way children learn by using touch.
Children are introduced to the decimal system and skip counting with the bead cabinet- Unit beads, ten bars, hundred squares, and thousand cubes. This material is so inviting, made up of beautiful glass beads (that many desperately want to use as jewelry!)
Over the course of the three years in the Primary classroom, children are introduced to all four operations and their understanding of math develops over time. After the concept of each operation is grasped, children move on to memorization.
In Elementary - our Jade Door classroom - children go even deeper into these Math concepts, building on their abstraction and continuing to develop their mathematical minds.
Perhaps if Math was taught this way everywhere, using games, beautiful materials, and a logical sequence of learning, it wouldn’t be so scary to older children, or even adults! For more reading on the Mathematical Mind, check out this fantastic article here.