Longevity of Montessori: Mathematics

Thursday, September 17, 2015

Longevity of Montessori: Mathematics

The Montessori approach meets the needs of children where they are at - both collectively and individually. Therefore, it is an approach that meets the needs of ALL children. The only limitation is the preparedness of the adult to meet those needs ;)

A recent post at MariaMontessori.com introduces this concept as it applies to primary (3-6) and elementary (6-12). Montessori is Developmental

Even in our material,

Let's look at math specifically - just some highlights:

With infants and toddlers, we do a lot of natural one-to-one correspondence. Few toys, each that belongs in a particular place. Matching activities in sizes, shapes, colors. Helping to set the meal-table using a diagram of what goes where.

We can also give the language of numbers (counting), and children love language at this age, so most do pick up on counting numbers, although they typically skip a few numbers or repeat a few sequences ;)

Primary Mathematics:
While we don't typically start math in primary until around age 4, we begin with a few materials that extend into primary mathematics as well as into use at elementary and adolescence. Sensorial and Mathematics materials are both noted here:

Red rods - extend into the number rods
All the groups of ten we have extend into the decimal system
Pink Tower and Brown Stair can be used in geometry at elementary
Binomial Cube and Trinomial Cube (elementary and adolescence)
Geometry Cabinet and Solids (elementary)
Golden beads (elementary and adolescence)
Bead Cabinet and contents (elementary and portions in adolescence)
Snake games (if you purchase the negative snake game, it includes all you need for primary as well as elementary and adolescence)
Decanomial bead bar box (elementary and adolescence)
Stamp game (elementary and adolescence)
Short Division with Racks and Tubes becomes Long Division with Racks and Tubes (elementary)

Common Threads:

Place value color-coding remains consistent throughout all levels - into the checkerboards that are the visualization of the multiplication process, the bank game (just numbered cards, no beads), and more.
The bead cabinet colors also remain consistent through all levels - even into the solid wood blocks of the cubing material that is used in elementary and adolescence.