Montessori Smart Maths Kit

Build real number sense before “doing sums.” This Montessori Smart Maths Kit includes two 10-frames, chunky numerals (0–10), operation & compare tiles (+, −, =, <, >), red/blue pegs, and flash cards—everything you need for short, playful sessions that stick.

What’s Inside

• 2 × Ten-Frames (left→right counting boards)
• Numerals 0–10 (chunky tiles)
• Symbols: +, −, =, <, >
• Red & Blue Pegs (visual “parts” of a number)
• Flash Cards (quick prompts for games)

Age Best Suitable For

• Ages: 3–7 years (guided)
• Home, classroom, or therapy sessions (10 minutes/day)

What to Teach (in this order)

1. Number names & matching quantity
2. One-to-one counting (left → right) & cardinality (“how many?”)
3. Make 10 / number bonds (see the two parts of 10)
4. Compare (<, >, =)
5. Join & take away (addition/subtraction)
6. Missing numbers, story sums, patterns, odd/even

Setup Tips

• Work on a tray. Keep only today’s pieces on the table.
• Always place pegs left to right—same direction as reading.
• Use two colors to “see” parts (e.g., 5 red + 4 blue).

Step-by-Step Activities (with sample script)

0) Warm-up Sort (2–3 min)

What: Sort numerals 0–10 in order.
Say: “Can you line up the numbers from 0 to 10? Let’s touch and name them.”

1) Match Number to Pegs (0–5, then 6–10)

What: Place the 5 tile; child puts 5 pegs, one per hole, left→right.
Say: “One peg for each hole. Count as you place… 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Stop—how many do we have?”
Why: One-to-one & cardinality.
Make it easier: Start with 0–3. Harder: Mix numerals; child builds any number you call.

2) “Make Ten” Pictures (Number Bonds)

What: Fill a row of 10 with two colors (e.g., 6 red, 4 blue).
Say: “I made 10 using 6 red and 4 blue. What other ways make 10?”
Try: Record as 6+4=10, 7+3=10, etc.—child builds and reads it.

3) Compare (<, >, =)

What: Build two numbers on two rows (e.g., 7 vs 9). Place < or > between numerals.
Say: “Which row has more pegs? The hungry mouth eats the bigger number.”
Harder: Same total, different parts (e.g., 4+3 vs 2+5).

4) Addition = Joining Sets

What: On one board, make 5 red. Pause. Add 4 blue. Place 5 + 4 = 9.
Say: “We joined 5 and 4. Let’s count on: 5…6,7,8,9. Read it with me.”
Harder: Use a flash card (e.g., 8+2) and build to check.

5) Subtraction = Take Away

What: Build 9. Remove 4 (slide off left→right). Place 9 − 4 = 5.
Say: “We had 9. We took away 4. How many are left?”
Story: “9 apples, eat 4…”

6) Missing Part

What: Set 5 + ___ = 9; child uses pegs to find the blank.
Say: “We need to get to 9. How many more do we add to 5?”

7) Teen Numbers (Intro)

What: Fill the top row (ten), then add ones below (e.g., 3) and read 13.
Say: “Ten on top and three more below makes thirteen.”

8) Patterns, Odd/Even, Skip-Count

Patterns: Lay red-blue-red-blue. Ask, “What comes next?”
Odd/Even (simple): “Pair the pegs two by two. If every peg has a partner, it’s even. If one peg is left without a partner, it’s odd.”
Skip-count (optional): “Let’s count the pairs: 2, 4, 6…”

9) Quick Games

• Build-My-Number: “Make 8 before I count to 5!”
• Flash-Fix: Show 8+2; child builds and places the answer tile.
• Mystery Grab: Cover some pegs. “I see 6; how many are hiding to make 10?”

5-Day Mini Plan (10 minutes/day)

• Day 1: Numerals 0–5 ↔ pegs; simple compare.
• Day 2: 6–10; make-ten pairs (5+5, 6+4…).
• Day 3: Addition within 10 (join two colors).
• Day 4: Subtraction within 10 (take away).
• Day 5: Missing part, story problems, quick games.

Language that Helps

• “One peg for each hole.” (one-to-one)
• “Stop and tell me how many.” (cardinality)
• “We joined… / We took away…” (operations)
• “How many more to make 10?” (composing/decomposing)

Extend Beyond the Board

• Snack math: “You have 6 grapes; I give 3 more—how many now?”
• Tidy-up math: “Five pegs in the tray, four on the mat—together?”
• Real-world compare: “Which pile is greater?”

Quick Checklist (you’ll know it’s working when…)

• They place pegs left→right without skipping holes.
• They say the total without recounting from 1.
• They can show two ways to make a number (e.g., 7 = 3+4 = 5+2).
• They choose <, >, = correctly by looking, not recounting.

Keep sessions short, playful, and child-led. This kit shines when kids can see numbers, build them with two colors, and read what they made.