How to teach mathematics according to Montessori
Mathematics can be easier to understand thanks to the Montessori method, don’t you know it yet?
At present, there are many educational methods available to almost everyone, which is why it is normal for many parents to have doubts when it comes to finding the pedagogy that best suits their children. It is very important that they bear in mind that it should not be the education that they find most convenient, but that it should also be the pedagogical method that works best with their children in particular. Although a method is very famous and used by the best-known professionals in the world, it does not mean that your child will feel comfortable in it and will be able to exploit his potential to the maximum.
Every child is different, so it is essential that you know the educational methods that exist and choose the methodology that you think will work best with your children. This is not an exact science, so you can try different pedagogical methods and, through trial, error or success, find the most appropriate one, while learning all of them, since they will surely have their advantages and disadvantages that will serve you well. for the future.
One of the most famous and best-performing pedagogical methods in the world is Montessori. Many prestigious schools around the world use this education so different from the conventional one with very good results in terms of children’s learning, which can be applied both at school, for the learning of subjects common to all schools, and in the family environment.
Discover Montessori pedagogy and how it is applied when teaching mathematics, so that you can decide if it is the most suitable method for your children and how you could help them learn this subject so important in their lives.
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HOW DOES THE MONTESSORI METHOD WORK?
Schools that apply Montessori pedagogy opt for free learning for children. This means that the classrooms are designed in such a way that all the elements that make them up can be studied by the children. The materials have been prepared and strategically placed in the room by educational professionals, so that children can choose what they want to interact with at any given moment.
The teachers only have the function of guiding the child and helping him when it comes to seeking information or learning more about what interests them. The number of students per classroom is much smaller than in a conventional school and students, sometimes of different ages, can help each other to learn about the subjects that interest them.
However, this methodology is not suitable for all children, as some may have greater difficulty concentrating or showing interest in a specific topic and need more assistance from teachers. In addition, this freedom of choice can be counterproductive in some cases, so parents and educational professionals will have to decide if the Montessori method is the most appropriate for each individual child.
The Montessori method is applied to children during their first school years, that is, since they are babies. However, as they get older, the method adapts to their curricular needs, so common subjects are added to those of other schools so that children are prepared to pass the tests in higher grades , such as compulsory secondary education. , the baccalaureate, the superior degrees or the university.
Mathematics is one of these subjects that is introduced in the school plan of children during primary education. However, the way of teaching this subject differs from the rest of the schools, so it is interesting that you know how to teach mathematics according to the Montessori pedagogy, which you can also apply at home and can complement the education of your children even if they do not follow this educational method in school.
HOW IS MATHEMATICS TAUGHT ACCORDING TO THE MONTESSORI METHOD?
As in the rest of the aspects of the methodology, this pedagogy is based on moving from a specific knowledge to a general one, that is, the child is interested in a specific book and then looks for general information about it in the rest of the classroom or with the help of colleagues or teachers, who guide you to get more information and knowledge on this particular topic.
Thus, when it comes to learning mathematics, the principle will be the same. Through the colors, sticks, checkers, blocks and other pieces the child will be able to learn to add, subtract, multiply and divide. Instead of becoming abstract or learning by heart, it can be based on balls or long pieces of wood of different colors to help them understand these concepts. These woods measure different lengths, through which the child can learn to add or remove them, in order to understand addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
The Montessori method also uses sandboxes for children to practice writing, both letters, symbols and numbers, so before writing them on paper permanently, children can practice them in the sandbox and erase them as many times as necessary, while learning and having fun at the same time. Once they have learned to write them, they will have pieces of wood with the written numbers with which they can interact and make other mathematical formulas.
Dr. Tabriella Perivolaris, Sara's mother and fan of fashion, beauty, motherhood, among others, about the female universe. Since 2018 she has been working as a copywriter, always bringing to her articles a little of her experience and experience as a mother and woman.
