How to Use Montessori Geometry Cards

Cover the cards with the circles from the cabinet. Each circle should fit exactly over its match on the card so that there is no color showing. Continue to do this until you have covered all the circles or until the child joins in. Once he understands the lesson, he can practice it on his own.

Bring in the second set of cards. This set of cards are also circles, but they are thick outlines instead of solid shapes. They should be lined up in an orderly fashion like the solid cards were. This set is more difficult because it requires the child to recognize that even though the solid objects and the circles on the cards are not identical, they still indicate the same shape.

Cover the cards with the same set of circles. As before, the circles should fit exactly over the matches so that there is no color showing. You will demonstrate this lesson slowly and methodically, allowing the child to take over whenever she wishes.

Lay out the third set of cards. These cards also have corresponding circles, but they are delineated using fine lines. These are the most difficult to match because they are the most dissimilar. They require the child to understand that a solid shape can be indicated by a thin outline.

Cover the cards with their corresponding circles. You should do this slowly and methodically so that the child will see what you are doing. When he begins to participate, allow him to finish the lesson on his own.

Continue to work with all three sets of cards and their shapes. At first, you will just work with circles. However, as the child becomes more comfortable with the circles, she will likely move on on her own to other shapes. Monitor her progress, but do not interfere since the lesson is self-correcting and any mismatches will be clear because too much or too little of the shape will be covered.