Over the last few weeks, my twin toddler girls and I have been working on the Math skill of One-to-One correspondence. This Montessori Spindle Box activity provides an opportunity for us to work on this skill.

What is One-to-one Correspondence?

One-to-one correspondence is the idea that numbers correspond to specific quantities or the principle that each item in a given set can be counted only once. One-to-one correspondence is a vital beginning Math skill for young children. It can take months for children to begin counting objects with one-to-one correspondence. 

So in order to get the concept across, I have been coming up with different activities to help my twin girls grasp the idea, hence the reason for making my own version of a Montessori Spindle Box.

What is the Montessori Spindle Box?

The Montessori Spindle Box introduces counting with real wooden spindles. This learning material can be utilized by kids between the ages of 2.5 to 6 years of age. The Spindle Box provides young children with a hands-on counting experience.

The learning tool comprises 45 spindles, and an open box that is divided into ten compartments and has a number on each compartment, 0-9.

When utilizing this learning tool, the child is expected to begin counting, one spindle in the one-compartment two spindles in the two-compartment up to the number 9.

Skills that are Covered when the Montessori Spindle Box is utilized

• Children are able to review numbers in the digit system in the correct sequence.
• They are exposed to the concept that zero is an empty set.
• Children are also given the opportunity to work on their hand-eye coordination, precision, and concentration.

The following photo is what the original Montessori Spindle Box looks like.

The original Spindle Box has ten compartments labeled 0-9, but because my girls just turned two, I will be creating my version of the spindle box with the numbers 0-5 because counting from 0-9 I believe is too much for them at this stage. When they are a little older, I will create spindle boxes ranging from 0-9.

How to Create a Montessori Inspired Spindle Box for Toddlers

Step 1: Gather all the materials you will need.

• 6 toilet paper rolls. (I have twins, so I used 12. Also, paper towel rolls can be used.)
• Fifteen wooden bricks of the same size and colour so that your toddler is not distracted when counting. (Sticks, stones, other small wooden pieces, pencils, cotton swabs, and pipe cleaners can also be used.)
• A box, tray, or any container of your choice to place the counters in.
• A stick to point on the wooden cubes if you desire or better yet a finger can do the job.
• 2 cardboard pieces to create a back and a base for the toilet paper rolls.
• A black permanent marker
• Scissors 
• Colour-coded stickers (choose one colour to keep it uniform and prevent distraction for the young child.)
• Hot Glue Gun (Liquid glue can be used but will take a longer time to dry.)

Step2: Use scissors to cut down the cardboard rolls. I cut off around an inch. 

Step3: Use your hot glue gun to join all the toilet paper rolls together and glue them to the cardboard base.

Step 4: Use your hot glue gun to line the edges of all the tissue rolls and place them neatly on the cardboard that forms the back.

Step 5: Use your black permanent marker to write the numbers 0-5 on your colour-coded stickers. Remove the stickers 0-5 and place them on the respected spaces on the cardboard that forms the back of the activity.

Step 6: Gather all the counters you will need and place them into a container, and your DIY Montessori inspired Spindle Box is ready!

How to Present the Montessori Inspired Spindle Box to your Toddler

1. In a typical classroom setting, you would introduce the name of the Montessori Spindle box and where it is located. However, I have twin toddlers, so I place the box on the floor or our table and express to them that we will be looking at numbers 0-5.
2. I then use my pointer (stick or finger) to touch and say the name of each number on the colour-coded stickers. I then encourage the girls to say the name of the numbers with me.
3. For older kids, you can explain to them that each number symbol represents a certain quantity of objects — in this case, wooden pieces.
4. Start by removing one wooden piece from your container and show it to the child then place it in its respected toilet paper roll. Repeat this step for the remaining numbers, so the child can see you touching each wooden block with a stick/finger and do the same when it is his/her time to count.
5. When you have counted up to five, ask your child what they notice about the tissue roll labeled with the “zero”. (Example: “It is empty,” or “It has nothing”)
6. Note: when placing the wooden cubes into the box, ensure to only put in the exact amount that the child will need to fill all the toilet paper rolls. When counting with older toddlers, if they miscount, they will know if they have too many or too few wooden pieces remaining. With my twins, I help them to check for errors because they just turned two. When they are older, they can check for errors on their own. 

If you try to create my version of the Montessori Spindle box at home or in your classroom, please let us know in the comments below!

You can also share on Instagram and Facebook.

Thank you for joining us on our journey as we learn step by step!

Kimberlee