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Montessori Nature Tray Sorting and Counting for Toddlers and Preschoolers

September 17, 2015 By Deb Chitwood 11 Comments

Previous article: Free Leaf Printables and Montessori-Inspired Fall Leaf Activities
Next article: DIY Montessori Fraction Materials

Last week, I realized I hadn’t brought enough nature indoors. Even though I’m a former Montessori teacher, my 22-month-old granddaughter didn’t have a nature tray or even access to a magnifying glass.

With my limited shelf space, I decided to create a nature tray that contained nature objects, a magnifying glass, and sorting and counting activities. I wanted to encourage a love of nature and math skills at the same time.

Montessori Nature Tray Sorting and Counting for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links (at no cost to you).

The Nature Walk

Zoey helped me prepare the nature tray. We started with a nature walk.

Collecting Small Rocks for the Nature Tray

Collecting Small Rocks for the Nature Tray

We had previously collected smooth rocks washed in on the beach. (See “Story Stones – Farm Animal Families Treasure Basket”). Zoey always loved the smooth rocks, so we added to her collection with some small, smooth rocks for the nature tray.

Finding Flower Petals on the Nature Walk

Finding Flower Petals on the Nature Walk


Then we collected some leaves and twigs. We finished our nature walk by collecting some flower petals.

Preparing a Nature Tray with Sorting and Counting Activities

Observing Nature Treasures at 22 Months

Observing Nature Treasures at 22 Months

I started by letting Zoey examine the basket of treasures from her nature walk. For our indoor work, we used a Montessori Services rug.

Nature Tray Sorting at 22 Months

Nature Tray Sorting at 22 Months

Then we sorted the objects into groups of 10 similar items. (You could use 5 items of each type if that’s better for your child.)

Nature Tray Sorting

Nature Tray Sorting

You could sort the the nature objects into horizontal or vertical lines of objects. You could also use a ten frame like the free printable ten frame we used for our fall sensory bin. Zoey and I just placed the nature objects in groups on the rug. As Zoey placed each item on the rug, I counted each object. I want to be sure Zoey understands the concept of quantity rather than simply saying numbers in order.

Montessori Nature Tray for Sorting and Counting

Montessori Nature Tray for Sorting and Counting

In the end, we had a nature tray with baskets containing 10 similar nature objects in each. (The tray is a Multicraft tray.) It’s our newest addition to Zoey’s Montessori-inspired shelves at “Grandma’s house.”

Zoey was also introduced to a magnifying glass. I used the magnifying glass from the Shoots and Sprouts Toolbox from Montessori By Mom. Another year, we’ll focus on preserving flowers and leaves. For now, the flower petals and leaves will change as the days pass, but that will be a good lesson, too.

So, finally … Zoey can enjoy nature both outdoors and indoors.

Nature Trays and Nature Tables

For more ideas for nature trays, see my “Nature Trays and Nature Tables” post.

Do you have a nature tray or table in your home?

A Little Bit of Dirt by Asia Citro

Update: Do you have Asia Citro’s new book A Little Bit of Dirt: 55+ Science and Art Activities to Reconnect Children with Nature? It fits well with Montessori philosophy and has LOTS of wonderful, creative ideas for encouraging a love of nature.

This post is part of the 12 Months of Montessori Learning series!

12 Months of Montessori Learning

 

12 Months of Montessori Series – Math – September

Natural Beach Living ~ The Natural Homeschool ~ Living Montessori Now ~ Planting Peas

The Kavanaugh Report ~ Mama’s Happy Hive ~ Study at Home Mama ~ Child Led Life

The Pinay Homeschooler ~ Every Star Is Different ~ Grace and Green Pastures

Deb - Siganture

Montessori at Home or School - How to Teach Grace and Courtesy eBookLearn more about my eBook Montessori at Home or School: How to Teach Grace and Courtesy! I’m also one of the coauthors of the book Learn with Play – 150+ Activities for Year-round Fun & Learning!
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May be linked to Afterschool Express, Thoughtful Spot, Hip Homeschool Hop, The Mommy Club Resources and Solutions, Mom’s Library, A Little Bird Told Me Linky Party, Learn and Play, TGIF Linky Party, Preschool Corner, Sharing Saturday, Tot School Gathering Place.
Previous article: Free Leaf Printables and Montessori-Inspired Fall Leaf Activities
Next article: DIY Montessori Fraction Materials

Filed Under: Activities - Cultural, Activities - Math, Toddler Tagged With: 12 Months of Montessori Learning, Montessori, Montessori nature tray, nature tray, nature tray for sorting and counting, preschoolers, toddler, toddlers

Previous Post: « Free Leaf Printables and Montessori-Inspired Fall Leaf Activities
Next Post: DIY Montessori Fraction Materials »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Renae says

    September 17, 2015 at 5:55 am

    Sunshine would LOVE this activity! I love the idea of incorporating nature and counting. We just may have to bring a basket or bag on our walk today. Zoey is so adorable in this post. I can’t believe how photogenic she is. Lol.

    Reply
  2. sally says

    September 17, 2015 at 6:22 am

    hi i’m a mother of three boys aged 6, 3 and 1. Just wanted to know if it’s possible for me to homeschool my children from what I need to what needs to be covered to how or if they need to take exams when they reach 11yrs old?

    Reply
  3. Vanessa says

    September 17, 2015 at 7:18 am

    This is very sweet! I love how you simplified learning math for a toddler. I need to try this with Little Bee. 🙂 Zoey is growing up!

    Reply
  4. Elaine Goh says

    September 17, 2015 at 12:58 pm

    I’m always amazed at what toddlers can achieve at their age. Pre-math activities like sorting seem so advanced in my opinion, but toddlers are so drawn to it, I remember a time when my toddler was so attracted to sorting too! Excellent activity!

    Reply
  5. The Natural Homeschool says

    September 17, 2015 at 3:02 pm

    How adorable! This was super cute and I love how it was both fun and educational! 😀

    Reply
  6. kimberly says

    September 17, 2015 at 4:40 pm

    This is soooooooo my style. I just love how you incorporated natural materials and Zoey is adorable 🙂

    Reply
  7. Nicole says

    September 17, 2015 at 6:31 pm

    These are great! We love using the materials that we collect on our nature walks!

    Reply
  8. Bess says

    September 18, 2015 at 11:18 am

    Wow! I love the nature approach to this math work because it doesn’t look anything like a math work. It is a true integration of the environment. And Zoey looks so big in some of the pictures!

    Reply
  9. Marie says

    September 19, 2015 at 11:26 am

    My kids always love nature walks. We have tried some of these concepts when they were younger, but you gave me some great ideas to extend for my older kids too. Thanks!

    Reply
  10. Jae says

    September 19, 2015 at 1:12 pm

    This is so sweet and lovely Deb! Such an inspiration. Surely Vito will love this. Thanks for the wonderful activities!

    Reply
  11. Alison says

    September 27, 2015 at 11:00 pm

    What a great educational activity! Thanks for linking up at the Thoughtful Spot Blog Hop! 🙂

    Reply

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