A Fun Way to Teach Area - Measuring Playpen

Age: From 7 years old (After your child has tried out the Montessori Short Bead Chains

Objective: To provide a hands-on and fun way of learning area

Materials:

1. Measuring tape

2. Paper and pencil

Directions:

1. Draw the playpen on a piece of paper

2. Tell your child that each cm represent a Montessori golden bead and ask him how many beads will make up the surface of the playpen.

3. Ask your child to measure the length of the playpen and write it down on the paper.

4. Ask your child to measure the breadth of the playpen and write it down on the paper.

5. Ask him to multiply length by breadth of the playpen to get the number of beads that will fill the table.

6. Tell him that this is called "area" in Maths.

Additional Information:

In continuation of the success of two days ago, we continue with simple area. J (7Y11M13D) was very thrilled and said this is one of the best and most fun Montessori Maths activity (it is actually not Montessori). I was very glad to be able to capture his passion and excitement with this activity and meeting him where he is. It is very simple area, and very simple Maths, but it inspired him to develop a love for Maths.

A Fun Way to Teach Area - Measuring Coffee Table

Age: From 7 years old (After your child has tried out the Montessori Short Bead Chains

Objective: To provide a hands-on and fun way of learning area

Materials:

1. Measuring tape

2. Paper and pencil

Directions:

1. Draw the coffee table on a piece of paper

2. Tell your child that each cm represent a Montessori golden bead and ask him how many beads will make up the surface of the table.

3. Ask your child to measure the length of the coffee table and write it down on the paper.

4. Ask your child to measure the breadth of the coffee table and write it down on the paper.

5. Ask him to multiply length by breadth of the coffee table to get the number of beads that will fill the table.

6. Tell him that this is called "area" in Maths.

Additional Information:

I noticed that J really enjoys using the measuring tape to measure things, so I thought of asking him to measure things in order to find out their area. I tried this with him today (7Y11M11D). He enjoyed this exercise very much, and he already thought of what things to measure for tomorrow's exercise - the playpen :-)