Video, Montessori Mathematics

​Montessori - What Is Math?
My Works Montessori by Kelly and Lisa.
Viewing time: 3 minutes

Kelly explains what is special about Montessori: that children learn concepts before numerals, that one is small, ten is big. Lisa links back to the Sensorial learning area and explains how they prepare your child for mathematics. The Sensorial materials materials in groups of ten and provide the concept of quantities. Kelly continues to tell us that Montessori maths is taught in a hands on way not abstract way, so children can hold the quantities in their hands.

Youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQ5-LHwxG3I

First Five materials

The Montessori mathematics materials are introduced in a specific order by your child’s teacher. Your child has to be secure in their use of each material before moving on to the next material.
First five materials

1. Montessori number rods - quantities, no symbols
2. Sandpaper numerals - symbols
3. Number rods and cards -  quantities and symbols, quantity fixed, numerals loose
4. The spindle box - zero, numerals fixed, quantities loose
5. Cards and counters - odd/even, no control of error

​Montessori number rods

By Blooming Hearts Montessori, Lara Akinmolayan
Viewing time: 4 minutes

Lara shows how the Montessori Counting Rods are presented. These are the first Mathematics material your child is shown. Your child will be familiar with this sort of equipment because the Sensorial area has a Montessori material called the Red Rods which are the same size but in one colour. Using the Counting Rods your child will learn the quantities one to ten. The Counting Rods are sized to impart the understanding of quantity without any number symbols.

​Youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4i4DOxf8KI

Montessori Sandpaper Numbers

My Works Montessori, Lisa and Trevor
Viewing time: 4 minutes

Lisa explains how the Sand Paper Numbers are used to teach the number symbols to your child so they can recognise them. Quantities are not taught. Lisa has a child called Trevor to help show how a lesson is performed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Elb4j04tzVs

Montessori ​​Number rods and cards

Montessori Number Rods and Number Cards Random
Montessori Training - Montitute, www.montitute.com
Viewing time: 2 minutes

In this Video a child uses a variation of the Montessori Rods and Cards exercise. The loose numbers (number cards) are matched to the fixed quantity (Counting Rods). This combines what your child learnt in the first two lessons. You should now be able to appreciate how important it is for a child to show confident ability in the previous activities to be able to engage with this activity.

Youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yI-ELMcJkc&t=17s

The Montessori ​Spindle Box

My Works Montessori, Lisa
Viewing time: 5 minutes

Lisa shows us how the Montessori Spindle boxes shown to a child.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndWLMFGOLpc

Montessori Cards and Counters

​Kids U Meta Minute: Cards and Counters
Kids U Canada, www.kidsu.ca
Viewing time: 2 minutes

This video shows a child using the Cards and Counters activity. Loose numbers are linked to loose quantities. The child also explores the concepts of odd and even. In the video the term partners is used to describe pairs of counters that make a number even. At Rushmore House Montessori preschool and Orpington Montessori preschool we use the term friends.

Youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXuJpv5hoac

Your child has now completed the first five activities. They have learnt:

• The quantities one to ten.
• The number symbols 1 to 10
• How the numbers are linked to the quantities
• The concept of zero
• The concept of odd and even

Montessori Mathematics does not end here. Materials and activities are available to teach children up to the age of six.

Related articles:

• ​Montessori curriculum
• ​​Video, how Sensorial materials support Mathematics​​