The Teen Boards: International Version is a Educational Materials Montessori material designed for children aged 3-6, crafted by Nienhuis Montessori to AMI standards.
The Teen Boards introduce children to the decimal system through hands-on exploration of numbers 11-19. These precisely crafted wooden boards feature recessed compartments holding removable number tiles, allowing children to build teen numbers systematically. An essential Montessori mathematics material that bridges the gap between single digits and larger number concepts.
“The child is both a hope and a promise for mankind.”— Maria MontessoriEducation and Peace
“The hands are the instruments of man's intelligence.”
— Maria Montessori, The Absorbent Mind
The Teen Boards serve as a concrete bridge between the child's understanding of single digits and the decimal system. Through manipulating removable number tiles within recessed compartments, children physically construct teen numbers, making abstract mathematical concepts tangible. The wooden boards' precise design allows children to see how placing a '1' tile beside single digits creates numbers 11-19, revealing the pattern of our decimal system. This systematic building process through the Teen Boards satisfies the young child's need to understand numerical relationships through sensorial exploration. The boards' structured presentation moves from concrete manipulation to abstract understanding, following the child's natural progression in mathematical thinking. By physically creating teen numbers with the removable tiles, children internalize place value concepts before encountering them abstractly. The Teen Boards provide repeated practice with number formation while maintaining the child's interest through hands-on activity.
Each order includes everything needed for proper presentation and long-term use.
Follow the Montessori method of presentation for optimal child development.
Introduce the first board showing 10. Say 'ten' while pointing
Take the '1' tile and slide it over the zero of the first 10, creating 11
Continue building 12-19 sequentially, naming each number
Invite the child to remove tiles and rebuild numbers independently
Practice three-period lesson with selected teen numbers
Every material is carefully selected for durability, safety, and authentic Montessori experience.
Crafted from quality wood to provide the weight and texture essential for sensorial learning. The natural material connects children to authentic textures while supporting mathematical concept formation.
Each material supports multiple areas of child development simultaneously.
Introduces the concept of tens and units through concrete manipulation, building foundation for place value comprehension.
Develops ability to recognize and order teen numbers through systematic arrangement and visual-tactile experience.
Placing tiles in recessed compartments refines pincer grip and hand-eye coordination essential for writing.
Supports vocabulary development for teen numbers while establishing pattern recognition for number construction.
Designed for child-sized hands
Professional tips from AMI-trained guides to maximize the educational value of this material.
“Ensure mastery of numbers 1-9 before introducing Teen Boards”
Present during morning work period when concentration is highest
Store tiles in a separate container to practice ordering before building
Use Teen Boards to reinforce counting exercises with other materials
Everything you need to know about this material.
The Teen Boards are two wooden boards with printed '10' numerals and slots where children slide single digit tiles (1-9) to form numbers 11-19. This hands-on material helps children physically construct teen numbers, making the abstract concept of place value concrete and understandable.
Children typically begin using Teen Boards around age 4-4.5, after mastering numbers 1-10 and understanding quantity relationships. The material remains useful through age 6 as children deepen their understanding of the decimal system and prepare for more complex mathematical concepts.
Children develop understanding of place value, teen number formation, and the decimal system foundation. They also enhance fine motor skills through tile manipulation, visual discrimination, sequential thinking, and mathematical language while building confidence with two-digit numbers.
The Teen Boards pair perfectly with the Bead Stair for quantity association, Number Cards for symbol recognition, and later with the Tens Boards (20-99). They also complement the Golden Bead Material for decimal system work and prepare children for the Hundred Board.
Made from high-quality wood with smooth finishes, these boards are designed for years of classroom use. Simply wipe clean with a slightly damp cloth and ensure tiles are stored properly. The recessed compartments protect the tiles and keep all pieces organized for long-lasting use.
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