Application of Montessori didactic material in primary math education

Prvih šest godina života su vrlo bitne za razvoj djeteta. Bitne su za razvoj sposobnosti i spremnosti za učenje. Dijete se u tom razdoblju nalazi na putu stvaranja. To je vrijeme kada dijete uči nesvjesno, osjećajima i kretanjem. Djeca u razdoblju do šeste godine života imaju osobinu samorazvoja koju treba potaknuti utjecajem odgovarajuće okoline i određenim didaktičkim materijalima. Dijete rado istražuje, sklapa kontakte i brzo se može prilagoditi novim situacijama. Da bi dijete samostalno, slobodno usvojilo određeno znanje potrebno je prije svega djetetu pružiti osjećaj prihvaćenosti i ljubavi. Djeci treba pružiti mogućnost slobode biranja sadržaja i materijala te aktivnosti kojim će se baviti. To je cilj odgoja djece predškolske dobi prema Mariji Montessori. U odgoju i obrazovanju se mogu uočiti određene razlike danas s obzirom na prijašnje vrijeme. Razlika se uočava u odnosu samog odgojitelja prema djeci. Da bi djeca razvila matematičke sposobnosti Maria Montessori je podredila prostor i vrijeme djetetu. Didaktički materijali i vježbe su prilagođeni da djeca razvijaju matematičke sposobnosti te da upoznaju svijet. Posebno se naglašava razvoj matematičkog razmišljanja. Za nju je važno da dijete stvara konkretna iskustva, pojmove i relacije iz kojih će se kasnije moći lakše razvijati aspekt pojmova, pravila i postupaka. Odgojitelji dobivaju novu ulogu pratioca djece kroz učenje i upoznavanje svijeta u kojem živimo. Cilj je djecu pripremiti za svakodnevni život, da postanu odgovorni i sposobni članovi obitelji i društva.The first six years of life are very important for a child's development. It is essential for the development of abilities and readiness to learn. The child is on the path of creation during this period. It is a time when a child learns unconsciously, by feelings and movement. Children up to the age of six have a trait of self-development that should be encouraged by an appropriate environment and certain didactic materials. The child is happy to explore, make contacts and can quickly adapt to new situations. In order for a child to independently and freely acquire certain knowledge, it is first of all necessary to give the child a feeling of acceptance and love. Children should be given the opportunity to freely choose the content and materials and activities they will engage in. This is the goal of raising preschool children according to Maria Montessori. Upbringing and education is completely different today than it was before. The difference is noticeable in the attitude of the educator himself towards the children. In order for children to develop mathematical ability Maria Montessori subordinated space and time to the child. Didactic materials and exercises are adapted for children to develop mathematical abilities and to get to know the world. The development of mathematical thinking is especially emphasized. It is important for her that the child creates concrete experiences, concepts and relations from which it will be possible to develop the aspect of concepts, rules and procedures later. Educators get a new role of accompanying children through learning and getting to know the world we live in. The goal is to prepare children for everyday life, to become responsible and capable members of family and societ