Matryoshka Dolls & Mathematics!

Matryoshka dolls can be used to demonstrate so many different mathematical concepts, from smallest to biggest, shortest to tallest, thinnest to widest, and increasing volume – stuffing cotton balls inside, so child understands volume, which is usually quite tricky to teach in early childhood!  It is also a Sensorial activity in that it involves twisting and manipulating to undo and fit back the dolls.  It takes patience and attention, as the child undoes one after the other, all the way to the smallest one.  Spatial intelligence is also used to coordinate which one goes in where on the way back…

There is also a great book to accompany this doll called The Littlest Matryoshka, by Corinne Bliss.  The book is about sisters who are sent on a trip together, and the littlest one is lost.  The children get quite caught up in her recovery and as such, tend to take better care of the real littlest matryoshka (which ordinarily is very easily misplaced!).

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