As with other Montessori math materials, students are introduced to concepts with each step taught in isolation. Once the initial concept is understood, additional elements are added one at a time until the child has a well-practiced-built-from-the-ground-up understanding.
- This work begins with the child using the bead bars to count by tens.
- Next, numerals are added to match. (10, 20, 30…)
- Then “ones” are added and the child composes unique numerals and quantities with tens and ones.
- The final step is when the child can read back the numerals to a teacher.