The Stamp Game

The Stamp Game moves the child forward from the golden beads to a more abstract way of working with the number system. Each small tile is colour-coded to Montessori standard — green for units, blue for tens, red for hundreds, and green again for thousands — yet every tile is the same size regardless of value. Here the child begins to understand that the same "1" can mean one, ten, a hundred, or a thousand depending on colour and position. The child lays out numbers, exchanges between categories, and works through addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division with their hands, before the quantities become fully abstract.

What to look for:

• Choose wood or a sturdy material over thin plastic — the tiles need to withstand being moved many, many times.
• Colours should follow Montessori standard (green/blue/red) so the material matches the beads and cards the child already knows.
• Check that the number of tiles is generous enough to allow exchanging; a well-stocked set makes division and larger numbers possible.
• Make sure the tiles are uniform in size and easy to pick up, and that a storage box with compartments keeps everything organised.
• Avoid sharp edges and glossy surfaces that make the tiles slippery on the table.

At home it works best on a calm rug or a table where the child can work undisturbed for a little while at a time.