This picture shows a step in the problem 45,763 x 37 = 1,693,231 

Dear Wondering, 

Your child is working on the Montessori checkerboard, an impressive material that helps them along the path to abstraction for long multiplication. Like many other Montessori materials, it is a visual representation of an abstract concept. What’s amazing is that young children, even if they are still foggy on their multiplication facts and don’t have a solid grip of place value, can begin work with these materials. The more they work with it, practicing on their own and receiving subsequent presentations from their guides when ready, the more they hone their math facts and gain a deep understanding of place value and the mechanics of long multiplication. Usually, they effortlessly learn the long multiplication algorithm after using this material. Montessori math materials aim to show children the actual workings of algorithms, instead of resorting to rote memorization. Read more about this fabulous math material on Hudson Montessori School’s blog.