Getting Preschoolers Ready for Math
Developmentally, children between the ages of three and six experience the world concretely and learn through their senses. The child organizes and categorizes sensorial experiences in order to make sense of the world around them. Dr. Montessori recognized and deeply respected the need for order in a young child. She developed a classroom curriculum area that is wholly dedicated to isolating and refining children’s senses. By sorting, matching, or grading objects based on size, feel, taste, color, sound, smell, etc. the children hone their ability to organize and make sense of the world around them. These skills directly prepare students for the work of mathematics, as the mathematical mind is a product of order and precision.
Presenting Abstract Mathematical Concepts in Concrete Lessons
In this video, you will see the progression of mathematical concepts that are taught to Inly students in our Children’s House preschool program. Children’s House is a multi-year, multi-age program. Classes are made up of students ages 3, 4, and 5 years old in the same room together, and with the same teachers, for three years. Shown here, is work that is presented to a 3-year-old student, as well as work being done by a 5-year-old kindergarten student. By the time they move to first grade, students have a strong understanding of place value and the meaning of numbers and are typically doing basic operations such as addition and subtraction.
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