Montessori Method in Practice - A Series
Monday, April 21st, 2008Some numbers are odd and some are even. Is it very necessary for the child who is starting on arithmetic to know about these? (A question asked by a working Montessorian during a refresher course.)
The child needs to know how to count and also learn about the decimal system of numeration. The decimal system of numeration is based on numbers one to ten. Therefore the child must be introduced to them. Once the child is familiar with the knowledge and application of the laws of the decimal system he needs to be introduced to the four arithmetical operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division) — their nature and their ‘tables’. This being the foundation to be laid it is not necessary to introduce the nature of ‘even’ and ‘odd’ to the child. These terms can be introduced to children after they have laid their basis for number work. They need not be burdened with them when they start around three-and-a-half years of age.
