Discipline: Mathematics

Mathematics is first introduced indirectly through the language, practical life and sensorial materials.  Human beings are unified through mathematics, as it is a universal language.  Montessori believed in Blaise Pascal’s notion that ‘man’s mind is mathematical by nature.’ It is the mathematical mind that enables us to calculate, to judge, to reason, to see relationships, and to abstract.  It is generally during the second year of the Primary program when the mind is ready to assimilate the complexity of numerical operations that the mathematical area is introduced.  The program introduces the scientifically designed materials to the child allowing an embarkation on a long but joyful journey to the discovery of his mathematical mind.  The materials and activities embody the natural process of learning developing a strong foundation in order to approach higher-level mathematics with ease.  Some topics of mathematics include quantity and its symbolization and the four main operations of addition, multiplication, subtraction and division. 

Montessori Mathematics materials:

1. Isolate one difficulty at a time

2. Allow for manipulation and repetition

3. Allow the child to move from simple to more complex activities

4. Aid in an abstract mathematical understanding of the concepts by starting with concrete experiences