This activity teaches the child the term ‘multiplication’, it reinforces place values and develops the mathematical mind. This activity is usually done in groups where one child lays out the large number cards on one mat, another child does the same with small number cards on another mat and another child lays out the golden beads on another mat.
The directress makes up a number for the child with the small number cards and places it on his tray, for example, 233. The child then goes to the banker and asks for the corresponding beads. The directress continues to ask another child to go and fetch the same number as before (233) The same procedure follows for the second number.
The directress reminds the children how to add 3 numbers starting with adding up the units and collecting the large number card for the units added. The child follows the same procedure with the tens and the hundreds. The directress ends the lesson by overlapping the large number cards and tells the children ‘ when we add two of the same numbers it means we are multiplying by two, if we add it up three times we are multiplying by three, when we multiply 233 twice we land up with a greater number of 499’.
