Montessori in a Minute: Short Bead Frame

Dr. Maria Montessori believed that children have a "mathematical mind," naturally eager to explore the world through numbers. Unlike some educational approaches that delay formal math instruction, Montessori mathematics introduces concepts early, using specially designed, tactile materials. One of these materials used in our Lower Elementary classrooms is the Short Bead Frame, that moves a child from hands-on concrete experience to abstract mathematical thinking.

How Does It Work?

The Short Bead Frame is a freestanding wooden frame with four wires across, each strung with 10 beads. It looks and functions similarly to an abacus. Each bead color represents a place value:

• Green: Units and Thousands

• Blue: Tens

• Red: Hundreds

Children slide the beads from left to right, which shows their inclusion in the number. Beads that remain on the left side of the frame stay unused, providing a clear visual representation of place value. For example, here’s how a student would create the number 1,532:

• Two green unit beads

• Three blue tens beads

• Five red hundreds beads

• One green thousands bead

The Importance of the Short Bead Frame

The Short Bead Frame supports independent learning. Students can explore calculations at their own pace, self-correcting and building confidence as they master each step. Teachers guide them initially but gradually step back, observing as children develop stronger problem-solving skills, concentration, and a sense of accomplishment. This hands-on learning experience helps children move confidently into abstract math and more advanced math skills. 

This tool supports children as they practice number place value when computing problems with carrying. Children learn how to calculate correct answers but also truly understand the numbers they work with and the equations they create. By the time they finish using the Small Bead Frame, they have internalized the mechanics of addition, subtraction, and simple multiplication, making the transition to mental math easier.

The Montessori in a Minute Series

The Montessori In A Minute series regularly explores the unique benefits of Montessori philosophy, its fundamental materials, and areas of the classroom. For all parents at Hudson Montessori School (Jersey City, New Jersey), we host Montessori Parent Education Events annually to teach parents about the Montessori method and how students learn using a Montessori framework. At Hudson Montessori, a child’s education is a partnership between school and home, working together to support a student’s learning journey.

Contact us to learn more about Hudson Montessori School's theme-based learning approach to education, the Montessori philosophy and methodology, or how the school fosters the love of learning for children aged 2 to eighth grade.