Animal Cell: Parts in 3D Illustrations
This material is no longer made
The manufacturer has withdrawn it, so we cannot order it in. The page stays here because the material itself is still worth knowing about.
Would you buy it if we could source it or make it ourselves? Enough people saying yes is what makes the attempt worth it.
Made by Nienhuis Montessori · shipped by Heutink International (Netherlands) About the maker
The animal cell in three dimensional illustrations, with each part named. A cell is the hardest thing in elementary biology to picture, because nothing about it is visible and everything about it is small, so the illustrations do the work a microscope would do if a classroom had one. Cards rather than a model, which is worth knowing before ordering. Durable plastic with rounded corners. In English. The plant cell set is a separate item.
“The greatest sign of success for a teacher is to be able to say, 'The children are now working as if I did not exist.'”
The Animal Cell model introduces complex biological concepts through concrete, manipulable exploration.
- Develops understanding of basic cellular structure through tactile exploration
- Builds scientific vocabulary including nucleus, mitochondria, and membrane
- Strengthens fine motor control through careful handling of model components
- Forms foundation for understanding that all animals are made of cells
Read More
Young children naturally wonder about living things, and this three-dimensional cell allows them to satisfy this curiosity through direct sensorial investigation. The cross-sectional design transforms abstract cellular structures into tangible objects children can touch, examine, and internalize. By handling the nucleus, mitochondria, and cell membrane as physical forms, children build mental representations of microscopic life. This model respects the child's need to understand through movement and touch before advancing to abstract thought. The Animal Cell bridges the gap between the visible world children observe and the invisible structures that compose all living creatures. Through repeated manipulation of organelles, children develop precise vocabulary and accurate mental images of cellular organization. This hands-on approach to biology honors the absorbent mind's capacity to grasp complex concepts when presented through concrete materials.
How to present it
Follow the Montessori method of presentation for optimal child development.
Place the Animal Cell model on a tray with a small cloth. Set up at a table where the child can sit comfortably and examine all sides of the model.
- 1
Invite the child to carry the tray to their workspace using both hands
Model slow, careful movements to emphasize the material's importance - 2
Present the whole cell first, allowing the child to hold and examine the complete structure
Use minimal language initially - let the child's observations guide the presentation - 3
Point to and name each major organelle slowly: 'This is the nucleus'
Touch each part as you name it, encouraging the child to repeat both action and word - 4
If the model opens, demonstrate how to carefully separate sections to see inside
Use both hands and show how to align parts when reassembling - 5
Invite the child to explore independently, remaining available for questions
Resist over-explaining - answer only what the child asks
Every Child Is a Little Creator
Heritage
Since 1929
In classrooms
Around the world
European brands
Nienhuis, GAM, Educo
Animal Cell: Parts in 3D Illustrations
