Montessori Sensorial Materials - The Pink Tower

Purpose:

• Provide the child with a concept of "big" and "small."

• Understanding of mathematical concepts in the decimal system, geometry, and volume

• Coordination of movement

• Perfection of hand movements

• Preparation for mathematics

Presentation:
 

Start off by showing the child how to carry the cubes (two or three at a time) and place them at random on the mat. Sit beside the child and build a tower in order of size starting with the largest cube upwards. Each cube is placed concentrically on the one before in one movement. The child sees this as a deliberate choice is being made. (Note: re-adjusting a cube after it has been placed in position may make the child think that this is part of the lesson and copy the movements. Make sure that the tower can be built perfectly before performing the lesson). The cubes are grasped from above with fingers and thumb on four sides. In this way, it is possible to judge size by touch as well as by sight. The child may need to use two hands to put the largest one in position,

Exercise:
 

The child builds the tower as shown. They will make mistakes at first, but will gradually perfect the ability to judge size with practice. The teacher must not interfere. If the child obviously has not understood the lesson, then the teacher will give them a new lesson another day before he or she starts using the material. New lessons can also be given to help the child improve in handling the material. The child should take it down block by block; it should never be knocked down.

Mathematics skills:
 

Eight of the smallest make the second cube (2³)

Twenty-seven of the smallest make the third cube (3³)

Sixty-four of the smallest cube make the fourth cube (4³)

One thousand of the smallest cube make the tenth cube (10³)

Vocabulary:
 

cube

large, small

large, larger, largest

small, smaller, smallest