How Do You Teach Size Comparisons Using Montessori Methods?
Even extremely young children are interested in objects that can be used and explored in a variety of ways. A good way to help children begin to learn about dimensions and shapes is to help them unconsciously make size comparisons. There are many Montessori exercises that help children learn to judge size by sight, make comparisons between two or more objects in order to construct a specific goal object or help them associate sizes and shapes with each other in a beneficial manner. Start out by working with the cylinder blocks. The cylinder blocks are sets of blocks with various sizes of cylinder. One set has cylinders that vary by height, length and width. Each cylinder fits in a single hole in a large wooden block. Children may remove all cylinders to compare them, play with the cylinders outside of the blocks or enjoy lining them up in various formations inside and outside of their blocks. As they do, they will begin to compare and contrast different dimensions. Build a tower using
