Want to make math fun? Try the Change Game! This simple activity based on Montessori Math will help kids understand the decimal system in an engaging way.
Understanding the decimal system is a fundamental concept in mathematics, and the "Change Game" is a dynamic activity that helps children grasp how to handle larger quantities within the decimal framework.
This activity is designed to provide children with a hands-on experience of ordering numbers and to become familiar with the mechanism of exchanging and changing quantities within the decimal system.
Material Components:
The Change Game material typically includes:
-
Hierarchy Boxes: Four boxes representing the four hierarchies of the decimal system (units, tens, hundreds, thousands).
- Units Box: Contains golden beads.
- Tens Box: Contains bars representing tens.
- Hundreds Box: Contains wooden squares.
- Thousands Box: Contains wooden cubes.
- Symbolic Representation: The squares have printed circles symbolizing 100 beads, and the cubes have paper with the symbolic representation of 1000 beads on each side.
- Trays and Bowls: Three wooden trays with green bowls, and an additional larger green bowl.
- Number Cards: Cards for numbers 1-9 for units, tens, hundreds, and thousands.
Objective
- Help the child to continue handling still larger quantities within the framework of the Decimal System of Numeration.
- Assist the child to experience the ordering effect of the laws of the Decimal System of Numeration and to become familiar with the mechanism of changing, experiencing the dynamism within the Decimal System of Numeration.

How to Play the Change Game:
- Preparation: The child brings the Change Game material to their work mat.
- Introducing the Material: The material is introduced in hierarchical order.
- Taking a Quantity: The directress demonstrates by taking large quantities of units, tens, hundreds, and thousands and placing them in a heap on the work mat.
- Sorting and Verification: The child is asked if they are aware of how much quantity was taken. If the child expresses doubt, instruct them to sort and verify the quantity by counting.
- Counting with Hierarchy: The child is asked to start counting with a hierarchy of their choice (e.g., the tens).
- Exchanging and Counting: The directress joins the child in counting, subtly indicating that they can only count up to ten tens. Remind the child that ten tens equal one hundred. Demonstrate by exchanging the ten tens for one hundred from the pile of hundreds.
- Continuing the Process: The counting and exchanging of hierarchies continue until the quantities are sorted and verified.
If there are less than ten of a particular hierarchy remaining in the pile, the counting of that hierarchy stops. After all the quantities have been counted and exchanged, the sorted quantity is counted again to check if any further changes are applicable.
In cases where no further changes are needed, The child is asked to bring the suitable set of cards and place them against the hierarchies and as a whole number. She/He is instructed to verify the quantity by counting using the cards. During this process, the directress subtly introduces the traditional names of the tens and teens to the child.