Introduction to the Mulitiplication Board for the Younger Child

This explanation of the multiplication board is for older children. Koko is only four so I asked my friend to show me how to do this activity sensorially. For this activity, you do not need any multiplication charts or paper but only the actual board, beads, and cards. You can download a free template from Montessori for Everyone and make it yourself!

2 is a good number to start with because it's easier for children to understand. Initially, the red circle will be at its space on the top left position. Taking the card with the number 2, slide it under the hole. Say,"This number tells you how many beads to take." Show the child the numbers on top of the board and say," This tells you how many times to take the beads" and you move the red circle on top of the corresponding number.

Stress the relationship. For example, "2 beads,(point to the number card) taken one time(point to the mentioned numeral on top of the board while doing so) and count, "1, 2"while pointing to the beads. Say,"2 beads, taken one time is two."

"2 beads,(point) taken two times (point)--one time,(point) two times (point; at this moment, add two more beads because you already have two beads on the board.) and count and point to the red beads now on the board, "1, 2, 3, 4." "2 beads, taken two times is 4."

When you place the beads, you always put it from the top to bottom, left to right, and when finished with the activity, you clear it the same way, top to bottom, but from the right to left.

When counting the number of beads, it is helpful to count purposely. For example for 2 beads, take two times, you would count, "1, 2, (slight pause) 3, 4" so that the 2 and 4 are highlighted so as to aid in the reinforcement of skip counting.

A later extension:
Let's find out how much 2 beads taken five times is. And finally, when the child seems ready, you can say, "Let's write what we're doing" and proceed to write, "2x2=4" and so forth saying initially, "2 beads, taken two times is 1, 2, 3, 4." "2 beads, taken two times is 4." And later, you can progress to just saying, "2 times 2 equals 4.

Is this confusing? If you know of any videos of this, let me know. I've searched the internet, but can't seem to find any.

Warning: Be vigilant when doing this activity around toddlers. I caught my two year old trying to put a bead in her ear!