What is Montessori Math? Plus, 5 Math Activities to Try at Home
“One, two, three, six, thirteen, fiveteen…” a child happily counts out of order. Counting is an exciting activity for many young children. Requiring much practice, counting is a basic math skill that supports more complex operations later on.
So, how do children learn about math in Montessori classrooms? Montessori created a beautiful set of materials that makes math engaging, fun, and most importantly, educational. Here’s how it all works and some fun activities to try.
Montessori Math Manipulatives: Bridging the Gap Between the Real World and Abstract
Montessori knew that children need to experience math in real life. That’s why she created a series of math manipulatives that demonstrate math concepts. From the idea of quantity to the concept of zero, she showed each idea with real materials children can touch and experience.
In her own words, she said, “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 can thus carryout an abstract mental operation and acquire a kind of natural and spontaneous inclination for mental calculations.”
What does this mean? Essentially, by experiencing math, children understand it. After they have counted many physical objects, they understand quantities. Then, they can link these quantities to the symbols we know as numbers. This makes it easier to add, subtract, multiply, and more!
What are Montessori math materials and how do they help children understand math?
Montessori Math Materials
In the 3 to 6 year old classroom, children first learn about quantities while working with sets of blocks. A part of the sensorial curriculum, these blocks exhibit step by step changes in size. For example, the Pink Tower features 10 blocks that get progressively larger. This helps children understand the concept of “small” and “big.” Understanding size prepares children to understand numbers.
After working with these materials, children also start working with math materials. Some of the early Montessori math materials encourage children to count counters, or small objects. For example, students may lay out cards with the numbers 1-10. Then, they place the correct number of counters under each card. Another popular material is the sandpaper numbers. These numbers help children learn the shapes of numbers.
Using various materials, children learn to add, subtract, multiply, and divide. Montessori also created special materials for addition and subtraction, such as the addition strip board. There are also special boards for multiplication and division that demonstrate these operations clearly.
Additionally, children explore geometry with shapes they can touch, feel, or trace. Through geometry, children can also practice their skills measuring, comparing, and observing.

The Golden Bead Material
Perhaps the most famous Montessori math material is the golden beads. This material shows children the decimal system. Children can see and experience quantities such as 1, 10, 100, and 1,000 in the form of beads. Young children learn to create quantities into the thousands. For example, they might write out the number “4,278” and show it with the correct number of thousand cubes, hundred squares, ten bars, and single beads.
Children also learn to perform operations using the golden beads. When adding or subtracting, children need to regroup beads for a different denomination. For example, when adding 6 + 7, the child counts out 6 single beads and 7 single beads. Then, they count all of the beads. When they get to 10, the exchange the 10 single beads for a 10-bar, or a set of 10 beads all wired together. When finished, they have one 10 and 3 units (or single beads). This exchanging later makes sense when children learn wrote addition using regrouping or “carrying.”
5 Fun Montessori Math Activities for Young Children to Try at Home
Are you ready to dive into math activities with your little one? Here are some Montessori math activities to try at home.

Counting Objects
Gather some objects such as buttons, pinecones, smooth stones, or pompoms. Start by inviting your child to count up to five of the objects. Then, try counting to ten. As your child grows in their skills, you can make number cards with the number 1-10. Show your child how to put the cards in order. Then, invite them to put the correct number of objects under each card.
Ordering Objects by Size
Find objects that are all the same, with their only difference being the size. For example, five cardboard boxes of different sizes, a set of cup measurers, sticks that are shorter or longer, etc. Place the objects in front of your child. Invite your child to try putting the objects in order from smallest to largest or shortest to longest.
Once your child can order the objects, you can practice naming the objects by their size such as “short, longer, longer, longest” or “small, bigger, biggest.”
Counting with Home-Made Spindle Boxes
One popular Montessori math material is the spindle boxes. You can make this material using 10 toilet paper rolls and 45 popsicle sticks. To make it, glue 5 toilet paper rolls to a cardboard base so they stand up like cups. Do the same with the remaining 5 toilet paper rolls on a separate base. Label them in order from 0 to 9. Finally, demonstrate the activity for your child. You can start by using the 0 to 4 section. Explain that 0 means you won’t put any popsicle sticks into the cup. Then, count out the number of popsicle sticks before placing them in the cup. Once your child has mastered the 0 to 4 section, you can introduce the 5 to 9 section as well.
Making a Number Book
One fun activity is to create a number book for your child. To do this, simply create a booklet with ten pages for your child. If your child is learning to write, you can write a number on each page and have them trace the number with a marker. Otherwise, your child can write one number on each page. Then, invite your child to add stickers or draw pictures on each page to represent the quantity. For example, on the “1” page, add 1 sticker. Older children can work on a “Teens” book for the numbers 11 through 20 and beyond.
Find the Objects or Numbers
Children like to move around and play while learning. Try this game of finding the objects or numbers. First, create flashcards of numbers your child is familiar with. Then, ask your child to go into another room or close their eyes. Place the cards around the room. Next, ask your child to open their eyes. For example, tell them to, “Find the number three.” Your child needs to run and find the correct number.
You can do the same with objects. For example, you can hide seven toy cars. Give your child a basket and ask them to find the seven cars. They need to count the cars as they find them to ensure they find all seven of them.
This can be a fun activity for learning numbers into the teens and twenties as well. That way, your child learns to recognize the difference between 12 and 21 for example.
Bringing Math into Everyday Life
Math also comes up a lot in everyday life! By incorporating math into everyday life, your child can start to see how math is useful. Your child can practice counting the cups of flour when baking. Or, you can invite your little one to count cars of a certain color when driving somewhere.
As your child grows, you might invite them to plan a meal to make for the family. They can make a list of ingredients and the approximate cost of each. Then, they can add it all up so they know how much money they’ll need to buy the ingredients. Finally, you can take them shopping to see if their math works out in real life at the store!
Another useful way to bring math into everyday life is by giving your child a small weekly or monthly allowance. This not only teaches basic math, but also responsibility and the value of saving. You can encourage your child to save up for purchases and budget their money. Many children are interested in money, and find it a fun way to practice math skills.
Montessori Math Prepares Children for Life
Montessori math gives children a strong foundation of math concepts. With a strong understanding of quantities, numbers, and the decimal system, children can learn to do quick mental math. Plus, children can also approach the math of everyday life with confidence.
Would you like to give your child the gift of Montessori math? Montessori Learning Centre is a leading Montessori school in Calgary. Get in touch to learn about our Calgary daycare and preschool programs.