The Tens Boards: International Version is a Educational Materials Montessori material designed for children aged 3-6, crafted by Nienhuis Montessori to AMI standards.
The Tens Boards introduce children to the decimal system through hands-on manipulation of sliding number tiles. This elegant wooden material features two boards with compartments containing movable number panels from 1-9, allowing children to construct numbers 10-99 systematically while developing their understanding of place value and number composition.
“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 Tens Boards reveal mathematics as a discoverable system where children construct two-digit numbers through direct manipulation of sliding wooden tiles. Each compartment's movable panels from 1-9 transform abstract place value into visible, touchable reality. When children slide these number tiles alongside the fixed tens column, they physically build 10, 11, 12 through 99, experiencing how our decimal system operates through their own hands. The Tens Boards' sequential layout demonstrates that numbers follow predictable patterns—after sliding all nine tiles for 10-19, children must advance to the next tens compartment. This wooden material addresses the developmental need for concrete experiences with quantity before abstraction. The boards' design isolates place value as a concept, showing how the same digits 1-9 create entirely different numbers when positioned after 10, 20, or 30. Through repeated construction of two-digit numbers, children internalize that our number system groups quantities into tens, preparing them for more complex mathematical operations.
Each order includes everything needed for proper presentation and long-term use.
Follow the Montessori method of presentation for optimal child development.
Begin with the first board. Show how to slide the first tile to reveal '1', creating '11' when combined with the printed '10'
Continue sliding tiles sequentially to build 12, 13, 14 through 19
When reaching 19, demonstrate sliding all tiles back to blank, then moving to the '20' row
Build 20-29, then continue through all decades up to 99
Practice building specific numbers randomly: 'Can you make 47?'
Every material is carefully selected for durability, safety, and authentic Montessori experience.
The smooth wooden boards provide tactile feedback as children slide the number panels, reinforcing the concrete nature of mathematical concepts through sensorial experience.
Each material supports multiple areas of child development simultaneously.
Children physically construct numbers 10-99, internalizing the pattern and structure of our base-ten number system.
The sliding mechanism demonstrates how tens remain constant while units change, making abstract concepts concrete.
Working through numbers systematically develops logical progression and pattern recognition skills.
Precise sliding movements strengthen finger control and hand-eye coordination essential for writing.
Designed for child-sized hands
Professional tips from AMI-trained guides to maximize the educational value of this material.
“Present one board at a time initially, introducing the second board only after mastery of 10-59”
'This is 34' (naming), 'Show me 34' (recognition), 'What is this?' (recall)
Connect to daily classroom numbers—calendar dates, counting children present, page numbers in books
Observe which numbers children struggle to build; this reveals place value understanding gaps
Everything you need to know about this material.
The Tens Boards are designed for children ages 4-6 who have mastered counting 1-10 and are ready to explore two-digit numbers. Children should be familiar with the golden bead material and have a solid understanding of quantities before beginning work with the Tens Boards.
Each board contains compartments with movable number panels (1-9) that slide horizontally to reveal or cover numbers. Children slide the tiles to create numbers from 10-99, physically manipulating the units place while the tens place remains constant, reinforcing the concept of place value through tactile experience.
The Tens Boards focus specifically on constructing numbers 10-99 using sliding tiles that emphasize place value, while the Hundred Board displays all numbers 1-100 simultaneously. The Tens Boards provide a more focused, sequential approach to understanding how two-digit numbers are composed, making them ideal for initial decimal system work.
Children should have experience with the number rods, sandpaper numerals, spindle boxes, and golden bead material. They should confidently recognize numerals 1-9, understand quantity relationships, and have been introduced to the concept of ten through the golden bead material before beginning Tens Board work.
The Tens Boards develop place value understanding, number composition skills, and pattern recognition. Children physically construct each number from 10-99, internalizing the decimal system's structure while preparing for addition, skip counting, and more advanced mathematical concepts through concrete manipulation.
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