The Number Rods - Montessori

Montessori Number Rods introduce children to numbers and quantity through hands-on learning with this classic Montessori math material.

This set includes ten solid wooden rods, increasing in length from 10 cm to 100 cm, painted in alternating red and blue segments — one segment per unit. These rods help children understand number value from 1 to 10, develop visual discrimination of length, and practice early counting and sequencing.

Perfect for children ages 3 to 5, this material is ideal for both classroom and homeschool use.

• 10 wooden rods from 10 cm to 100 cm
• Alternating red and blue segments (1 segment = 1 unit)
• Helps with number recognition, quantity association, sequencing
• Supports the Montessori Three Period Lesson
• Made from durable, high-quality wood
• Montessori math material for ages 3–5

Presentation

Invite the child to set out the mat on the floor and to help you carry the rods as before.

Ask the child to arrange the rods in stair formation beginning with the ‘one’ rod, as we want the stair to grow. When the child is familiar with the rods, proceed to teach the names using the Three Period Lesson.

1. Bring down the one, two, and three rods toward the child.

   Isolate the one rod in front of the child and say its name a few times: “This is one. One.”

   Put the one rod to the side and place the two rod in front of the child.
   Name it: “This is two. Two.”
   Touch each section while counting: “One, two.”

   Put the two rod to the side and place the three rod in front of the child.
   Name it: “This is three. Three.”
   Touch each section while counting: “One, two, three.”

2. Place the three rods in front of the child in mixed order, parallel and a short distance apart.

   Ask the child to give you the ‘one’ rod, then the ‘three’ rod, then the ‘two’ rod.
   Playfully repeat until you are sure the child can name each rod correctly.

3. Isolate a rod and ask the child: “Which rod is this? Count it for me.”

   Place that rod to the side and isolate another.
   Repeat for all three.
   Always end the lesson by placing the rods back in correct stair order.

Continuation

Continue teaching the names of the other rods three at a time, always reviewing the previously learned ones until the child can confidently count and name each rod.

Exercise

The child works with the material as shown in the presentation.

Control of Error

• The uneven stair formation of the rods
• The number of sections in each rod

• The guidance of the teacher