Dr. Montessori herself designed many of the Montessori materials, which are still in use in Montessori classrooms today. Inspired by her, an international group of designers, educators, and didactic specialists observed children and created materials that fostered their natural desire to learn. Together, these materials form a systematic approach that begins with a concrete introduction to oral language, visual discrimination, and phonemic awareness. Later, more abstract concepts like matching sound to a symbol, word building, phonetic word reading, and writing are introduced, followed by more challenging reading and writing concepts.
Each material seems deceptively simple in appearance to the casual observer but satisfying to the developing child while preparing them for later work in language, mathematics, and all future academic endeavors.
Knobbed Cylinders: With varying degrees of difficulty, the knobbed cylinders help the child develop skills in visual discrimination, sequencing, and precision. There is trial and error involved as the child places a cylinder that is too large, too small, too tall, or too short for the empty hole. Through repetition, the child finally succeeds, and the triumphant smile that appears is a sight to behold.
The Metal Insets exercises further help children strengthen their pincer grip and controlled movements while experiencing the pencil’s pressure as they trace each shape. Metal inset work also helps coordinate wrist movements to prepare students for writing.
The child initially works with one of the ten insets with one colored pencil. Once they are proficient, there are countless variations they can explore and create beautiful designs. single shapes in different positions, two or three contrasting shapes with various colored pencils, light and dark designs as they vary pressure, etc.
Both of these materials encourage the development of the pincer grasp (a two- or three-finger grip), which is in preparation for writing.
Dr. Montessori designed these materials to not only prepare the child for future academic endeavors but also to prepare them for life. Each material teaches critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The self-correcting materials encourage reasoning skills to revisit and revise their approach. The sequence of setting up, doing the work, and cleaning up after teaches them focus and discipline.
These are a few of the many materials we use to instill in our students the love of learning and establish an educational foundation that lasts a lifetime.
