Adena Montessori Spindle Box

Montessori Math Tools for Children: Spindle Box

The Montessori Spindle Box is a material designed to help children develop their mathematical abilities, including counting and learning their numbers. This set consists of two rectangular wooden boxes, each with five different compartments, allowing young children to focus on learning the first five numbers before progressing to the full set.

The spindle box is instrumental in introducing more concrete and abstract areas, such as addition and subtraction, allowing children to understand how numerals work. This activity encourages children to associate different numbers with specific quantities in real life by completing the task of introducing the right quantity of spindles into the correct compartment. During this process, children encounter the concept of "zero" for the first time, learning that zero means none or nothing.

The wooden box is made of high-quality beech wood, with a smooth surface and no burrs, providing children with a positive user experience. The Montessori math materials, including the spindle box, are excellent gifts for children learning mathematics.

Purpose: To learn the concept of zero, to see the numerals 0 to 9 in their correct fixed sequence, and to match them with the correct number of loose spindles. There are 45 spindles in total, and if the child makes an error during the activity, they will either have too few or too many spindles at the completion of the exercise.

Operation Method: 1. Prepare the table, invite the children to work together, and introduce the work of the spindle box. 2. Take the spindle box with both hands and place it on the table. 3. Point to and read the number 1, "1," count 1 spindle from the box and place it in the grid of 1, point and read the number 2, "1, 2, 2," and count 2 spindles from the box, placing them in the grid of 2, and so on. 4. After counting, signal to the child that the box containing the spindles is empty. 5. Then, point to and read the number 0, "0 means nothing, no need to put anything." 6. Finally, return the spindles to the box in the order of 0-9.

Variation and Extension: You can use straws, wooden sticks, toothpicks, or chopsticks instead of spindles, tie them in a certain number with rubber bands, and use them together with 0-9 digital cards.

Related Products: Sandpaper Numbers with Box, Montessori Cards & Counters, Small Wooden Number Cards with Box (1-9000), Montessori Metal Inserts Tracing Tray, Bead Bars for Teen Board with Box, Montessori Binomial Cube.

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