Montessori Number Tiles

The Montessori Number Tiles are an essential tool within the Montessori mathematics curriculum, designed to enhance numerical understanding and arithmetic skills in young children.

  • 📏 Range Age: 3.5 - 6 years (activity should be adjusted based on the child's age and skill level).
  • 🧠 Prerequisites: Mathematical Activities (Spindle Boxes, Cards and Counters), Sensorial Activities (Red Rods, Number Rods), Language Activities (vocabulary related to quantity and numbers).
  • 🛠️ Enhancement Skills: Numerical Skills (number recognition, sequence of numbers), Cognitive Development (logical thinking, problem solving).
Montessori Number Tiles with numbers and small number rods.
The Number Tiles activity is designed to reinforce concepts of number recognition, order, and sequence. It helps children visually and tactically engage with numbers and their values.

Progressive Presentations

  1. Number Recognition (1-10): Children start by learning to recognize and name the numbers from 1 to 10. Each tile is presented one at a time, and children are asked to match them with corresponding numerals laid out on a mat or table.
  2. Sequential Ordering: Once familiar with the numbers, children practice placing the tiles in sequential order from 1 to 10. This helps reinforce the concept of order and sequence in numbers.
  3. Counting with Objects: Children use small objects (like beads or counters) to count out quantities that match each number tile. For example, placing three objects next to the number 3 tile. This connects the numeral to its quantity.
  4. Introduction to the Decimal System: Introducing the concepts of units, tens, and hundreds using the number tiles. Children learn to recognize that each position in a number has a different place value.
  5. Building Numbers Using Tiles: Children begin to build larger numbers using multiple tiles, understanding how to combine units, tens, and hundreds. For example, using a 1 tile, a 0 tile, and a 5 tile to make the number 105.
  6. Simple Addition and Subtraction: Using the tiles for basic addition and subtraction exercises. Children lay out tiles to visually represent and solve simple problems, such as 7 + 2 or 9 - 4.
  7. Comparing Numbers: Children use the number tiles to compare quantities, learning terms like "more than," "less than," and "equal to." They practice laying out two sets of numbers and deciding which is greater or if they are the same.
  8. Skip Counting: Using number tiles to practice skip counting (e.g., counting by 2s, 5s, 10s), which is foundational for multiplication concepts.

This article explores the functionality of Number Tiles, their role in the Montessori educational approach, and effective strategies for integrating them into home-based learning environments.

Content
  1. Progressive Presentations
  • What are the Montessori Number Tiles?
  • Benefits of the Montessori Number Tiles
  • Purpose of Montessori Number Tiles
  • Direct Aim
  • Indirect Aim
  • Control of Error
  • Point of Interest
  • How to Present the Montessori Number Tiles?
    1. Materials
    2. Presentation
    3. Variations & Extentions
    4. Recommendations
  • References
  • What are the Montessori Number Tiles?

    The Montessori Number Tiles consist of a set of tiles, each bearing a number from 1 to 100. These tiles are typically crafted from durable materials such as wood or sturdy cardboard, ensuring they are suitable for repeated handling by young learners.

    The distinct numerical representation on each tile aids children in recognizing and understanding numerical values and sequences.

    Benefits of the Montessori Number Tiles

    Using Montessori Number Tiles in your child's education offers numerous advantages:

    • 🔢 Number Recognition: Children learn to identify and name numbers, enhancing their ability to recognize numerical symbols and their sequence.
    • 🧮 Basic Arithmetic Skills: Number Tiles provide a hands-on way to practice addition, subtraction, and other basic arithmetic operations, laying a solid foundation for further mathematical learning.
    • 🧩 Problem Solving: Arranging and rearranging Number Tiles to form correct equations encourages logical thinking and problem-solving skills.
    • 👀 Visual Learning: The visual aspect of the tiles helps visual learners grasp abstract concepts like quantity and numerical relationships more effectively.
    • Enhanced Concentration: The engaging nature of working with Number Tiles helps sustain children’s focus, improving their concentration over extended periods.

    Purpose of Montessori Number Tiles

    The primary purpose of Montessori Number Tiles is to facilitate a deep understanding of numbers and arithmetic from an early age. This tactile tool allows children to physically manipulate numbers, thus internalizing concepts of numerical value and mathematical operations through engaging and interactive experiences.

    Video: Montessori Number Tiles activity - Counting with Objects(using Golden Beads)

    How to Present the Montessori Number Tiles?

    Materials

    • Number Tiles: A set of tiles numbered from 1 to 10, used to help children visually identify and associate numeric symbols with quantities.
    • Small Number Rods: A set of rods that vary in length according to the numbers 1 to 10. Each rod is colored in alternating red and blue segments, each segment representing a unit.
    • A Flat Mat: A mat on which the rods and tiles are arranged, defining the workspace and helping to keep the materials organized.
    • Counting Objects: Small objects like beads or buttons that can be counted and placed next to the rods to reinforce the concept of quantity.
    • A Small Table: Provides a dedicated space for the activity, suitable for young children to work comfortably.

    The following instructions are montessori presentation of Montessori Number Tiles - Counting with Objects(using Small Number Rods):

    Presentation

    1. Present the Materials: Introduce the number tiles and the small number rods. Show each item to the children and name them clearly to enhance their vocabulary.
    2. Demonstration: Place the number tiles in order from 1 to 10 horizontally at the top of the mat. Then, demonstrate how to match each number tile with the corresponding number rod, starting with the number 1. Place the rod under the tile and count each section of the rod out loud, touching each as you count.
    3. Child’s Turn: Encourage the child to choose a number tile and find the matching number rod. Guide them to place the rod under the tile and count each section aloud, just as you demonstrated.
    4. Repeat and Explore: Allow the child to continue matching and counting with the rest of the number tiles and rods. Observe and assist as needed, but allow the child to explore and correct their own mistakes to promote independence.
    5. Vocabulary Enhancement: As the child becomes comfortable with matching and counting, introduce vocabulary like "more than," "less than," and "equal to." Use simple comparisons between rods to explain these concepts.
    6. Assess Understanding: Once the child has practiced, ask them to perform tasks such as arranging the rods from the smallest to the largest or grouping rods that add up to ten to assess their understanding and challenge their skills.
    7. Encourage Independence: Encourage the child to practice this activity independently whenever they are interested. This repetition is crucial for their understanding of numbers and quantities.
    Teacher and child working with Montessori Number Tiles and small number rods.
    A Montessori teacher guides a young student through the "Montessori Number Tiles" activity, focusing on counting and numerical order using small number rods and numbered tiles, in a well-equipped Montessori classroom.
    Child arranging Montessori Number Tiles and small number rods on a mat.
    This image illustrates the child's engagement and hands-on learning as she practices number sequencing and recognition, which are crucial skills in early mathematics education within the Montessori method.

    Vocabulary

    1. Number Tiles - "Here are the number tiles."
    2. Count - "Counting helps us understand how many are present."
    3. Place - "Each number tile finds its place next to the matching number of objects."
    4. Objects - "Objects can be lined up next to each rod."
    5. Rods - "Small number rods represent different quantities."
    6. Arrange - "Objects are arranged to match the number on each tile."
    7. Match - "Finding a match between numbers and quantities creates harmony."
    8. Observe - "Observation reveals whether the amounts correspond."
    9. Compare - "more than", "less than", "equal to"

    Variations & Extentions

    Variations

    • Introduce different objects for counting such as beads, pebbles, or buttons to maintain the child's interest and provide tactile variety.
    • Use number tiles with representations of the numbers (like dots or pictures), which can help visual learners make connections between numerical symbols and quantities.
    • Incorporate color-coded number rods where each number corresponds to a different color, enhancing visual discrimination and memory.

    Extension

    • Once children are comfortable with the basic activity, introduce simple addition or subtraction problems using the rods. For example, show how combining a rod of 3 and a rod of 2 equals a rod of 5.
    • Challenge children to construct patterns with the rods, alternating colors or sizes, which supports early algebraic thinking.
    • Extend the activity to include writing numbers. After matching rods to tiles, have the child write the number on a chalkboard or paper, linking numerical understanding with literacy skills.

    Recommendations

    • Regularly assess each child’s comfort and proficiency with the activity and adjust the difficulty accordingly to keep them challenged but not frustrated.
    • Encourage children to verbalize what they are doing as they match the tiles and rods. This verbal expression can reinforce learning and help educators gauge understanding.
    • Provide frequent opportunities for the children to engage with this activity, as repetition is key in solidifying the concepts of counting and number recognition in young learners.

    References

    • Lillard, A. S. (2017). The Montessori Toddler: A Parent's Guide to Raising a Curious and Responsible Human Being. New York: Workman Publishing. pp. 95-110.
    • Montessori, M. (1973). The Formation of Man. Madras: Theosophical Publishing House. pp. 65-80.
    • Montessori Life Blog - The Official Blog of the American Montessori Society - American Montessori Society
    • Training Programmes - Association Montessori Internationale

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    Chris Palomino

    Hi! I'm Chris Palomino, a B.S. in Psychology, and a mother of a precious one-year-old girl. Over the past eight years, I've been guiding children, particularly those aged 3 to 6 facing developmental and learning challenges, with a special focus on autism and ADHD.

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