Bells Keyboards (Nienhuis)
Made by Nienhuis Montessori · shipped by Heutink International (Netherlands) About the maker
Two colour coded keyboards on which to lay the bells out in chromatic order. Two are needed because the bells work in pairs: one set stays in order on the first board as the reference, and the second set is what a child moves, sorts and mismatches on the other. Without somewhere to put the ordered set down, that comparison has to be held in memory, which is exactly the thing a three year old cannot yet do. Bells sold separately. Laminated board with printed paper, for ages 3 to 12.
“Free the child's potential, and you will transform him into the world.”
The Bells Keyboards transform abstract musical concepts into concrete visual experiences by providing laminated boards that display the exact piano key patterns children encounter when working with Montessori bells. This specific material bridges sensorial bell work with musical literacy, as the green background with clearly marked black and white keys creates an immediate visual connection between sound and symbol.
- Visual discrimination of keyboard patterns and musical intervals
- Understanding the relationship between bells and piano keys
- Development of pitch recognition through visual-auditory association
- Preparation for reading musical notation and scales
Read More
The Bells Keyboards exist in the Montessori environment because young children need a tangible reference point when transitioning from purely auditory discrimination to understanding musical notation and keyboard structure. The durable laminated surface allows children to trace key patterns with their fingers while matching bells, engaging multiple senses simultaneously. By presenting keyboard layouts as manipulable boards rather than abstract diagrams, these materials respect the child's need for concrete experiences before abstract understanding. The alternating black and white key pattern on each board provides a consistent visual anchor that children can reference independently during bell matching activities, fostering self-correction and musical pattern recognition.
How to present it
Follow the Montessori method of presentation for optimal child development.
Place the Bells Keyboards on a work mat alongside the Montessori bells. Ensure the green background is clearly visible and the keyboard pattern corresponds to the bell set being used.
- 1
Invite the child to match each bell to its corresponding key on the keyboard board
Start with just the white keys to simplify the initial experience - 2
Show how to trace the keyboard pattern from left to right while singing the scale
Use slow, deliberate movements to emphasize the sequential nature - 3
Demonstrate placing bells directly on or beside their matching keys on the board
Allow the child to self-check by striking each bell after placement - 4
Introduce the pattern of black keys in groups of two and three
Count the black key groupings together to reinforce the pattern
Every Child Is a Little Creator
Heritage
Since 1929
In classrooms
Around the world
European brands
Nienhuis, GAM, Educo
AMI approved
To the association standard
Bells Keyboards (Nienhuis)
