Pink Tower

The Pink Tower is a quintessential Montessori learning material.  Young children use it to discover how size changes in three dimensions by building the tower cube by cube, making decisions about which cube is bigger or smaller.  Exploration with the Pink Tower prepares the child for later concepts such as the decimal system and volume.  Montessori materials isolate one quality at a time. Only the size changes, not the shape and colour.

Sandpaper Letters

Written language is an extension of spoken language and in Montessori begins with the concept that words are made up of sounds. Many games are played so that the young child realises  that ‘cat’ starts with the sound ‘kuh’, ends with the sound ‘tuh’ and has  ‘ahh’ in the middle.  When the child is familiar with the sounds, the letter symbols are introduced using the specially designed Sandpaper Letters.  By sounding out and tracing the raised letters the child learns in an auditory, tactile and visual way.  This learning is combined with other games and techniques to help the child acquire written language in a fun and meaningful way.  The child is soon able to use this knowledge to write their own words and stories.

Dressing Frame

This is one of many practical life skills activities available in the classrooms.  The dressing frames are used by young children to learn how to use the variety of fastenings found in clothing - from Velcro, buttons and buckles, to laces, zips and bows. The dressing frames are an example of how Montessori appeals to the young child's need to repeat and repeat and repeat an activity - the child can do and undo the frame as many times as they want.   As with many other materials in a Montessori 3-6 year classroom, the child develops hand-eye coordination, the ability to concentrate and the skills of independence.  It is a great thrill to a child who has learned how to manage to undo and do up their own clothes.