Children have a natural desire to make sense of their world, to create order in a world that seems largely out of their control. For that reason, sorting activities often attract children. In fact, many children will start sorting things without even being taught. Many parents have likely walked into a room to see their young child putting their blocks or other toys in piles based on color or some other category. Montessori sensorial sorting work takes this inclination a step further, teaching the child to organize their world using all of their senses while also working of course on careful discrimination.
This fundamental pre-requisite to further mathematical understanding can often be disregarded or ignored as a purely play based activity that children instinctively engage with. However, it is an important and essential part of beginning mathematical skills and an important part of every child’s developmental journey.
As adults we sometimes overlook the importance of fundamental skills in a young child. When some people talk of mathematics learning they routinely speak of number sense or numeration, and more specifically counting or even the higher order operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
NIRAYA 