BRIEF HISTORY

2010 - present

The role of manipulatives in education were inspired by the theories of the following people who are major advocates of “hands- on learning”.

He asserted that students need to learn through their senses and through physical activity
He argued for "things before words, concrete before abstract"

He is the “Father of Kindergarten”. He created the world’s first kindergarten in Germany.
Influenced by Pestalozzi’s ideas, Froebel’s kindergarten was filled with “toys” which were categorized as specific set of “gifts” which are physical objects such as balls, blocks, rings, tiles and sticks. These gifts were carefully designed to help children recognize and appreciate the common patterns and forms found in nature.

She extended Froebel's ideas by developing materials for older children and inspiring a network of schools in which manipulative materials (montessori materials) play a central role.
In an effort to create an "education of the senses", Montessori developed new materials and activities to help children develop their sensory capabilities. Montessori hoped that her materials would put children in control of the learning process, enabling them to learn through personal investigation and exploration

He theorized that children must first construct knowledge through "concrete operations" before moving on to "formal operations" , thus, the need for concrete manipulatives to develop direct physical experience, equilibration, assimilation and accomodation.

Today, manipulatives are well established in the classrooms, especially in the early grades.