Montessori Pink Tower

Many parents and teachers have seen the pink tower in a Montessori classroom. It is one of the many sensorial materials used in a Montessori setting.

Have you ever wondered what it is for?

How can it help children learn?

Well, wonder no more! Here’s everything you need to know about the pink tower lesson.

What is the Pink Tower in Montessori?

The Pink Tower is a traditional piece of Montessori “visual” work within the Sensorial “curriculum.” The Montessori material involves ten wooden cubes painted pink ranging from 1 cm cubed to 10 cm cubed, differing in 3 dimensions.

The purpose of the Pink Tower is to introduce children as young as three to base ten. Yes, we can teach the decimal system at a young age. Exciting, right?

The cubes increase progressively in the algebraic series of the third power. Therefore, the second cube equals 8 of the first; the third cube equals 27 of the first. This sensorial work isolates the quality of size.

How do you present the pink tower lesson?

Below is a description of a Pink Tower lesson I was taught in my certification program. If you need more visuals, check out YouTube for lessons. Here is one Pink Tower Montessori presentation.

The material sits on a small stand within the classroom where it can be seen from at least three sides.
Starting at the top, pick up each cube one at a time, with one hand on top and one hand on underneath. Carry the cubes to the mat and arrange randomly on the mat.

Sit on the child’s dominant side, pick up the largest cube with fingertips of each hand on either side of the cube and begin to construct the tower. Pause & take time to the center using a bird’s eye view as your measure.

From time to time, stop and pause to compare a cube to the next smallest one to make certain you chose the appropriate next cube.

When the tower is complete, check centering using a bird’s eye view: “Largest. Smallest.” Randomize cubes again. Offer the child a turn.

Extensions

Using cards to supplement the work is always a good idea and is worth the effort and money. You can purchase the already cut and laminated cards, or you can prepare them yourself by purchasing them through Montessori Print Shop.

Additional Presentation

Proceed as above but align the cubes at one corner and along two edges rather than centering them. Show the child that the smallest cube will fit in and slide around the space left on the unaligned sides of each cube.

Pink Tower Resources

Thanks for reading! I hope we inspired you today. Please leave a comment, I love hearing from you.

Warmly,
Marnie