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Hole-Punch Counting Practice 

Incorporating Montessori Elements

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Lesson plan developed by Aurora Tollestrup, BS Ed

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Activity:  

Hole-Punch Counting Practice

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Age Group:

• Preschool
• Kindergarten

Hole-Punch Counting Practice

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Objectives:  

Children will: ​

• apply fine motor skill practice.
• practice and apply counting skills and number recognition.

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CDA Competency Standard:   

II.4.2a

II.5.2a

• Activities and materials encourage children of varying abilities to develop their small muscles
  

o    Individual fine motor skills are encouraged through a variety of developmentally appropriate materials and activities

• Materials and equipment stimulate children’s thinking and problem-solving
  

o    Materials and equipment provide a variety of opportunities for cognitive development

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Materials: 

• tray
• colorful paper squares with numbers written on them
• hole punch

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Procedure: 

• Place colored paper sheets and hole punch on a shallow tray.
• Give children a demonstration and explanation of the materials and how to punch the desired number of holes on the paper, indicated by the written number on the paper.
  
• Be sure to explain the purpose of this activity, which is to strengthen their fine-motor skills and to practice and apply their counting skills and number recognition.
• Place the tray with contents on an appropriate shelf in your classroom for children to use independently.

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Assessment: 

• Observe and record any improvement in the children’s fine-motor skills when using the hole punch
• Observe and record the children’s counting skills and number recognition skills

* When children are able to punch the correct number of holes indicated easily, try replacing the hole punch with a smaller one and increasing the numbers on the papers.

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The Montessori Classroom

This photo was found on Google images, linked here: lifesahappyhour.blogspot.com

Harmony and peace are major components to the Montessori classroom environment. Montessori teachers focus on teaching harmony and grace in the very first days of class. Along with teaching those virtues, a peaceful environment is also encouraged. This is why many Montessori classrooms require children to wear slippers in class as opposed to hard-soled shoes. Staff members and children are also encouraged to use calm and quiet voices.

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