Montessori Materials Spotlight - Geometric Solids

The Montessori Geometric Solids basket contains ten standard shapes: cube, sphere, cone, cylinder, rectangular prism, triangular prism, ovoid, ellipsoid, triangular-based pyramid, and square-based pyramid. Some sets may include additional shapes such as the hemisphere and different sizes of cylinders, but these should be set aside for now.

Benefits:

• The Montessori Geometric Solids exercise helps children develop their sense of touch and improve their visual and spatial perception.
• It also promotes their ability to identify, compare, and categorize shapes, and develops their vocabulary and language skills.
• By handling the shapes and exploring their properties, children can also develop their problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

To use the Geometric Solids, you will need:

• The basket of Geometric Solids
• A set of wooden tablets that match the base of the rectilinear solids or the shape of the curvilinear solids
• A mat for floor work

Instructions:

1. Invite your child to join you for this exercise.
2. Place the basket and tablets on the mat.
3. Start by introducing the sphere, cube, and cone using the three-period lesson method.
4. Explore each shape with both hands, rolling it along the mat to see how it moves.
5. Allow your child to handle each shape and name it.
6. If your child is eager to continue, move to the second period, which involves finding and handling the shapes.
7. In the third period, have your child identify the most recently handled shape.
8. If your child masters the first three shapes, introduce another three shapes in the next session.
9. When your child knows the names of at least six shapes, practice identifying them by reaching into the basket, feeling a shape, naming it, and handling it.
10. Encourage your child to try independently and repeat the activity as many times as they wish.

Points to Note:

• The three-period lesson in this exercise may differ slightly due to the intensive handling of the shapes.
• If your child is not ready for more shapes, set everything aside and revisit the exercise in 2-3 days.
• Encourage your child to move the shapes on the ground and compare how they roll.

The Montessori Geometric Solids exercise is a simple and fun way for children to learn about shapes and their properties. By using the three-period lesson method, children can improve their sensory, language, and critical thinking skills, as well as their understanding of spatial relationships and geometry.