When I think about the Montessori math materials, many of which were developed by Dr. Maria Montessori herself, I think about their qualities of order, clarity and even beauty. Math materials are in constant use at our school. The children are drawn to them and come to love their math work. This is a far cry from what many of us grew up believing or feeling about math. The math materials which in every level move from the more concrete to the more abstract and from the more simple to the more complex have not ceased to bring about a sense of awe and wonder from children and adults alike. The lessons allow children to absorb the process of math and in that process further develops their mathematical minds. It's no wonder that many of us after observing a child engaged with the Montessori math materials wish that we had learned math in this incredible way. If you would like to see a few of our children doing great Montessori math work click here.
This system in which a child is constantly moving objects with his hands and actively exercising his senses, also takes into account a child's special aptitude for mathematics. When they leave the material, the children very easily reach the point where they wish to write out the operation. They thus carry out an abstract mental operation and acquire a kind of natural and spontaneous inclination for mental calculations. ~The Discovery of the Child, Maria Montessori.
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