Montessori Activity: Counting with Glass Stones

Inspired by Cherry Blossom Adventures

Age: From 2.5 years old

Objectives: To teach counting objects in a fun way

Materials:
1. 1 counting worksheet (you can draw like I did above or I have created a printable version here)
2. 15 glass stones
3. 1 tray

Directions:
1. Demonstrate by putting one glass stone on the box in the label called "One" and two glass stones on the boxes in the label called "Two", saying, "Joshua, this is one, it gets one stone... this is two, it gets two stones. This is three, how many stones should it gets?"

2. Encourage your child to try to do the same for the remaining labels "Three" to "Five".

Additional Information:
Joshua (2Y7M10D) tried it today. He could do it, but he didn't do it in order. He preferred to stick stickers on it than putting the glasss stones.

References:
http://www.cherryblossomadventures.com/2011/10/03/tot-school-numbers-counting/

Montessori Activity: Teaching Basic Counting to Toddlers with Glass Stones

Age: From 2.5 years old (Level 3)

Activity Duration: 10 minutes

Objective(s):
1. To teach counting.
2. To train number recognition

Materials:
1. 1 - 5 number magnets or 1-5 number cards in a container
2. 15 glass stones or just small stones in a container
3. 1 tray

Directions:
1. Demonstrate to your child by putting out the number magnets or cards in order from 1 to 5, reciting the name of the number as you go along.

2. Allocate 1 glass stone, count 1 and place it in front of the number 1 magnet. Then allocate 2 glass stones, count it a loud and place it in front of the number 2 magnet. Do the same for the rest of the number.

3. Put back the materials into the respective containers and encourage your child to try.

Additional Information:
J could now say from 1 to 10 in Mandarin Chinese (however he keeps missing out the number 4). He also could count from 1-2, and occasionally 3. So I thought I will try out this activity and see how it goes.