The Brown Stair (Broad Stair)

The Brown Stair — also called the Broad Stair — is one of the most beloved sensorial materials in the Montessori classroom. It helps children visually and physically explore differences in two dimensions (width and height), building a foundation for mathematical thinking. Here's how to present it at home or in the classroom.

Click the image above to download our free Brown Stair Matching Cards (PDF)

Ages

2½ to 5 years old

Material

Ten brown wooden prisms, all the same length, varying in height and width from 1 centimeter to 10 centimeters square. The blocks vary in two dimensions.

Presentation

Mix the prisms on a mat or rug on the floor. Arrange them in order, usually from largest to smallest, to form a stair. The two sides of the stair have to be even. When moving the stair, stretch out your hand on the thickness to measure with a muscle impression the thickness.

Exercise

The child does the presented exercise. He can use two hands to pick up the largest prism and use one hand for the smaller ones. Later, show your child that the smallest prism fits on top of each stair at each level.

Control of Error

Usually a child can find any mistakes by feeling the stair.

Purpose

Visual perception and muscular feel of differences of size
Understanding and awareness of dimensions
Math readiness — emphasis on 1 through 10
Relationship of square numbers 1 through 10

Math Connections

The Brown Stair offers wonderful early math discoveries:

4 of the smallest prism makes the second stair
9 of the smallest prism makes the third stair
100 of the smallest prism makes the last stair

Count the stairs from 1 to 10 with your child. You can also place the Pink Tower next to the Brown Stair as a visual comparison — children love discovering how the two materials relate!

Recommended Materials

If you're setting up the Brown Stair at home, here are two good options:

Adena Montessori Brown Stair Set — a smaller-scale version (5×5×10cm) that's perfect for home use
Montessori Brown Stair Materials (Full Size) — 10 hardwood prisms for a classroom-quality experience