Math
In the Montessori classroom, concrete materials are used to introduce abstract mathematical reasoning skills. Children learn how a numeral represents a tangible and visibly discrete amount; as they manipulate objects, they witness operations like addition, subtraction, and multiplication. These exercises cater to children's developing sense of order, sequence, one-to-one correspondence and directionality. Math activities include Sandpaper Numerals, the Spindle Box for counting, Numerals and Counters, the Ten Board, the Hundred Board, Bead Chains, and Gold Beads to introduce the decimal system.
Many children enter school today knowing how to count, but they may not have an understanding of quantity: they may have merely memorized numbers. When a child indicates that he or she is interested, we begin to demonstrate how to count using concrete, mathematical materials and, later, introducing the abstract symbols for numbers. Our specially designed mathematical materials guide the children step-by-step, and in ways that are for them exciting, to learn the decimal system and the processes of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
Eventually the child will begin to work out math programs on paper, though an abstract process, without using concrete materials as before. At this point, the child can actually visualize consciously that the process of addition is "putting things together" and that subtraction is "taking things away." With continued practice, abstract understanding begins to take hold and eventually take over. Further on, when our children enter Elementary programs, they will have a thorough understanding of what numbers mean, and on that basis they will be able to comprehend the mathematical facts and abstractions presented to them without fear.
