Building Strong Foundations in Maths the Montessori Way

In our Montessori Kindy classroom, the 1–9 materials play a key role in early math education, especially during the introductory phase of number work. These hands-on materials help children develop a concrete understanding of quantity, number recognition, and foundational math concepts. Children explore numbers through a variety of carefully designed activities, including Beads, Counters and Cards, the Odd and Even Game, Spindle Boxes, and Number Rods.

As their confidence grows, our Kindy children continue exploring numbers 1–10 using a range of Montessori materials. With number rods, sandpaper numbers, and engaging counting objects, they practise recognising numerals, tracing each one by touch, and matching numbers to real quantities. This hands-on approach allows children to truly learn by doing, building both confidence and a genuine sense of achievement as they master each new concept. It’s always a joy to see their faces light up with excitement and pride.

Building on this strong foundation, the children then move on to working with teen numbers. Montessori materials help them clearly understand how numbers from 11 to 19 are formed, showing that each number is made up of one ten and additional units. Through building, counting, and exploring with concrete materials, they develop an early understanding of place value, number composition, and mathematical reasoning. At the same time, these activities foster independence, concentration, and confidence, as each child progresses at their own pace and discovers the joy of learning.