75 Fun & Free Printable Montessori Math Worksheets

Published:
May 24, 2021

Contributor:
Jeannette Tuionetoa

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These free Montessori math resources & printables will help you teach math with Dr. Maria Montessori’s approach through observation and experimentation.

using red counting chips on a rug

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When homeschool families gravitate to a particular method of learning, it can be challenging to learn how to adjust mathematics.

A family that follows a Montessori style would most commonly find that it works well with early childhood and primary school education. Many families use Montessori toys early on and then move on to this style of teaching. 

How is Montessori math different?

The Five Principles of the Montessori Method:

Principle 1: Respect for the Child.

The Montessori method favors kids making choices, doing things independently, and learning for themselves.

Principle 2: The Absorbent Mind.

This means that clearly, children are constantly learning from the world around them.

Principle 3: Sensitive Periods.

This is a view that there are certain periods when children are “ready” to learn certain skills.

Principle 4: The Prepared Environment.

The Montessori method suggests that there should be a child-centered learning environment that promotes the freedom to explore materials of their choice, for example.

Principle 5: Auto Education.

This is an important view of the Montessori method that children when provided the environment, inspiration, guidance, and encouragement children can educate themselves.

I say all that to share a bit about this type of approach for teaching in your homeschool. Of these principles, mathematics fits well into the absorbent mind category.

Due to this, from what I have read, the biggest difference between Montessori math and “regular” math is this:

Regular math is taught from abstract to concrete. Montessori math is the opposite. Montessori math teaches from concrete to abstract.

For example:

Usually, kids are told that 2 + 2 is 4 or memorize math facts, then are given examples to help them fully understand concepts.

Montessori approaches give kids the materials first, then guides them through getting the answer 4 or understanding the concepts.

The Purpose of Mathematics in Montessori

Mathematics in Montessori is essential as math is literally all around children from the moment they come into the world. Their age, what day they are born, how they get older – it all circles around numbers and math.

Since math is all around and children take in information from the environment around them, building mathematical knowledge is a natural progression of a child’s growth.

Mathematics provides a way for our children to understand the common language of quantifying, measuring, and making sense of the world around us.

Is Montessori Math Effective?

Because Montessori math is a hands-on way kids can learn concepts, then move towards the abstract ideas of 4 X 4 =16, kids more easily understand the concepts.

They aren’t being told a fact and then forced to understand, they understand and then can easily state the abstract.

Learning the hard “stuff” first makes kids more confident in their math skills because they comprehend what quantities really mean.

They are also allowed to experiment and make mistakes as part of the process of learning. This is how we learn in real-life situations.

Montessori math at home for early education and primary ages can train your child’s brain to think critically and to learn by experience.

I really wish I had had more of an opportunity to teach my kids this way of learning and use this with my students as an early educator.

Montessori Math Worksheets

If you are looking to use Montessori mathematics at home, then explore these free Montessori math resources & printables:

Free Printable Montessori Math Worksheets

FREE Math Printables from KHT Montessori

Montessori Math Worksheets

Montessori Math Activities

Free Printable Montessori Math Worksheets

Free Flower Printables and Montessori Inspired Flower Math Activities

Montessori Free Printables

50Montessori Math Activities to do at home

Montessori Math Worksheet PDF Downloads

Gumball Montessori Mats

Find a gazillion more free Montessori math printables for your kids.

Montessori Math Worksheets

Free Hands On Montessori Math Activites

Free Printable Montessori Math Worksheets

Fall Montessori Math Activities

Montessori Math Worksheets

Ladybug Count and Clip Cards

Montessori Printables

counting fish bowl number mats for young children

Montessori Math Materials

Montessori Math Activities

In Conclusion

Working with Montessori math materials supports a child’s ability to absorb math concepts at an early age using their environment and experiences.

My favorite part of Montessori math is the hands-on physical and visual use for comprehending concepts. My kids learn most when they are in the thick of “doing” math rather than being taught math.

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