Preschool Math: Montessori Inspired Snake Counting Activity

I put together a fairly cheap Montessori inspired tot tray for the kids this week to go with a unit study we are doing on snakes.  If you have a little boy, you will understand their fascination with creepy creatures like snakes.  However, if your kids are not into snakes, you could very easily pretend these pipe cleaners are worms or caterpillars. 

What you need:
1)  Number Cards (available as a free download from Montessori for Everyone)
2) Pipe Cleaners

Instructions:
1)  Print out the Number Cards on heavy card-stock and laminate.  
2)  Cut the pipe cleaners in 2-3 inch pieces and bend into natural looking curves.  (So that they look more like snakes, worms, or caterpillars.) 


Presentation:
Put the number cards into a small basket.  Present the snakes in a glass dish or bowel.

Show the child how to put out the cards across the top of a rug, from 1 to 10.  (Since my children are very young, we started using only numbers 1-3 with Sophia.  We then went up to the numbers 1-5 when she was ready.)  Then, let them take one snake out at a time and count the correct amount of snakes starting with number 1 and continuing across.  (For a very detailed explanation on using Montessori number cards with counters, see this link.) 

Recommended Book Go-Along:
Crictor by Tomi Ungerer


Crictor is a very cute story about a friendly pet boa constrictor.   It is a heartwarming, entertaining story that your children will love.

Crictor is one of the books included in the anthology Harper Collins Treasury of Picture Book Classics.   This book is part of the Sonlight P3/P4 Curriculum that we are reading through with our tots. 




Also Check Out:
Math Monday
Montessori Mondays
DIY Math Montessor Materials

Tools for Tots