"In the course of this free play, the child learns many things about the rods upon which, later on, he will be building his mathematical knowledge. He will discover:
1. that rods of the same colour are equal in length;
2. that those of the same length have the same colour;
3. that those with different colours have different lengths;
4. that if he wishes to make equal lengths he can only do so by putting particular rods end to end;
5. that the rods have been made so that whatever he constructs corresponds to the number of white rods."
Caleb Gattegno, Now Johnny Can do Arithmetic [1963]
Rods being used during general free play
Some children raided the rods boxes during their play activities in the classroom. I think it's some sort of ship.
