To play the change game with the stamps in Montessori, you will need a set of stamp materials, including unit beads, 10-bars, and a work mat. The purpose of this activity is to teach children the concept of exchanging units for tens.
Begin by introducing the stamp materials to the child and explaining their purpose. Show them the unit beads and explain that they represent individual stamps. Then show them the 10-bars, which represent a group of 10 stamps.
Next, invite the child to count out 10 unit beads and place them on the work mat. Ask the child to count the unit beads aloud to reinforce their understanding of quantity. Then, explain that when there are 10 unit beads, they can be exchanged for a 10-bar.
Have the child place the 10-bar on the work mat with the other 10-bars and continue counting the unit beads. If there are again 10 unit beads, have the child repeat the process. This repetition helps to reinforce the concept of exchanging units for tens.
However, if there are less than 10 unit beads left, inform the child that an exchange cannot be made. This demonstrates that a full group of 10 is needed to make an exchange.
To further reinforce the concept, invite the child to count the 10-bars on the mat. This allows them to see the physical representation of the exchange and understand the relationship between units and tens.
Throughout the activity, encourage the child to ask questions and engage in discussion about the concept of exchanging units for tens. This will help them deepen their understanding and make connections to real-life situations where exchanging units for larger quantities is necessary.
Playing the change game with stamps in Montessori is a hands-on and interactive way to teach children the concept of exchanging units for tens. By using the stamp materials and engaging in counting and exchanging, children can develop a concrete understanding of this important mathematical concept.