Banking game

How is this activity presented?

This is a wonderful activity which is usually done in groups. The directress begins by asking the children to unroll three floor-mats one by one next to each other. She asks one child to lay out the beads in the correct sequence on one mat and then asks another child to lay out the number cards on another mat. Each child should have a tray with a piece of felt on it.

The directress usually chooses a banker who hands the correct number cards which refer to the beads on his tray. The directress gives the child a quantity of beads onto his tray, for example, 4 units, the child is then asked to go to the banker to receive the corresponding number cards. The child re-verbalizes what number he has received from the banker. The child returns his beads and cards and lets another child have a turn.

The directress can move onto the next hierarchy once she feels the children are ready, for example, 4 tens and 5 units.

She can then move onto hundreds and thousands in the same manner. She usually helps the children overlap the cards once they have advanced.

What does the Banking Game teach children?

This is a wonderful activity which children seem to always enjoy. It is very interactive and helps children associate the concrete amount with the correct numerals, it gives the child practice in finding a specific amount, as well as it is a great testing game for the directress to see where the children are at.

Looking for more Montessori activities?

Here is a list of all the Montessori Maths activities including Early Maths, Introduction to the Decimal System, Seguin Boards, The Hundred Board, The Short Bead Stair, Bead Chains, The Snake Game, Group Operations, The Large Number Rods, Recording with the Small Number Rods, The Short Bead Stair, The Strip Boards, The Boards, The Stamp Game, The Abacus, The Dot Game, and Fractions. Just click on the page you want to learn about to go there.

Early Maths

Introduction to the Decimal System

The Short Bead Stair

The Short Bead Stair: orientation exercise

Seguin Boards

The Hundred Board

The Hundred Board

Bead Chains

The Snake Game

Group Operations

Large Number Rods

Recording with the Small Number Rods

Recording with the Small Number Rods