Material Spotlight: Montessori Decimal System

Decimal System Material before Teens and Tens

Maria Montessori had a firm belief that all children possess a natural mathematical mind. An important aspect of the Montessori philosophy with regard to mathematics is the use of concrete, hands-on materials to introduce abstract concepts. Once a child has grasped the quantities and symbols 0 through 10 in a Montessori classroom, a pivotal moment arrives: the introduction of the Decimal System Material. This beautiful and engaging material isn’t just about counting; it’s about laying the groundwork for a profound comprehension of place value and how our number system works.

The Decimal System Material empowers children to internalise the concept of place value. Children can feel the difference between a single unit, a ten, a hundred, and a thousand. Through manipulating golden beads and matching them with corresponding number cards, the hierarchy of our decimal system becomes tangible and real.

Children who have been introduced to the Decimal System can truly comprehend that “23” isn’t just two and three, but rather three units and two tens. Similarly, 456 comes to life as six units, five tens, and four hundreds. This tangible interaction transforms abstract symbols into concrete realities.

This deep understanding of place value, cultivated through the Decimal System Material, is not just a preliminary step; it's a prerequisite for confidently navigating the teens and the tens, and indeed, all concepts of higher mathematics. 

Bank Game Before the Stamp Game 

Dr. Montessori emphasized the importance of introducing the fundamental operations of addition, multiplication, subtraction, and division using the Decimal System Bank Game Material before moving on to the more abstract Stamp Game. The Stamp Game serves as an extension of the Decimal System Material, guiding the child towards abstraction. It allows them to perform the same operations but with symbolic "stamps" representing the different hierarchies. The effectiveness of the Stamp Game hinges entirely on the solid foundation laid by the hands-on experience with the Decimal System Material.

As Montessori teachers, it is our responsibility to honor this brilliant pedagogical sequence. Rushing through the introduction of the Decimal System Material or introducing more abstract concepts prematurely can lead to a superficial understanding of mathematics. By allowing children the time and opportunity to thoroughly explore and internalize the hierarchies of the decimal system through this beautiful material, we empower them to truly understand the world of numbers.

"Great creations come from the mathematical mind, so we must always consider all that is mathematical as a means of mental development.” Maria Montessori