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One unique feature of the Montessori classroom is the materials unique to Montessori practice; a series of carefully designed items created by Dr. Maria Montessori and her collaborators through years of experimentation and careful design.
The materials designed for the teaching of mathematical concepts are key among them. Dr. Montessori observed that children are naturally mathematical; influenced by the work of Blaise Pascal, she described children as possessing a “logical-mathematical mind.” She noted that even the youngest children begin to make comparisons and categorize the world around them and are interested in working with numbers and mathematical concepts. Understanding that children learn best through multi-sensory experiences that promote activity and independent exploration, Dr. Montessori found a way to make abstract mathematical concepts concrete.
For example, the concept of number squares and cubes is instantly understood when looking at the bead cabinet in Primary and Elementary classrooms. Here is a complex mathematical idea that the child can not only see but hold in their hands. The structure of the decimal system is clearly understood when looking at the Golden Bead Material, which allows children to experience place value tangibly. Children in the Elementary classrooms explore the idea of cubic volume by building their own creations. These hands-on experiences provide a foundation in mathematical understanding that prepares them for the more abstract work of equations and algorithms on paper as they mature.
-Emily Schuyler, Montessori Guide
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