Children learn basic concepts of mathematics in two ways; By using concrete materials during the years when they enjoy manipulating equipment; or by abstract materials when they are in elementary.
At Arbor View Montessori, your child will learn the basic concepts of mathematics by using concrete materials during the preschool years when he or she enjoys manipulating material. Dr. Montessori demonstrated that if a child has access to mathematical activities in the early years, the child can easily and joyfully assimilate many facts and skills of arithmetic. This helps children more readily grasp abstract concepts they will encounter mathematics in the elementary grades.
Traditional preschool and daycare classrooms don’t incorporate the activities you will see in the Montessori classroom. In a Montessori classroom has many arithmetic activities that are taught in sequence to build the child’s skill and others that are taught in parallel.
The child’s first introduction to numbers is made with a set of red and blue rods representing the quantities one through ten. The teacher helps the child to count the alternating red and blue sections of each rod as the child arranges them in stair-like formation. The child calls the smallest rod One, the next rod Two, and so on.
At about the same time, the child learns the corresponding figures by tracing the numerals in sandpaper, thus incorporating the sense of touch to enhance learning of numerals. The teacher helps the child place each of the sandpaper numerals beside the rod illustrating that quantity.
The Spindle Boxes represent a parallel exercise in associating the numerals with the proper quantities. This time the numerals are in a fixed order and the quantities are loose. The Spindle Boxes have ten compartments labeled with the figures zero through nine. In a separate box, there are forty- five spindles. The child puts one spindle in the first compartment labeled One, two spindles with the label Two, and so on. Once numerals 1–9 are mastered, children will be introduced to teen numbers with other activities like the Sequin Board.
Children are naturally curious and enjoy these activities. At Arbor View Montessori, your child will be happy and having fun learning while being set up for future success in math and other subjects link language, geography, science and more.