Bells Staff Board (Nienhuis)
Made by Nienhuis Montessori · shipped by Heutink International (Netherlands) About the maker
This Bells Staff Board lays the groundwork for understanding musical notation through physical engagement of the musical staff. The numbered circular markers (1-8) correspond to the C major scale, letting young learners place notes on the five staff lines while connecting visual representation with the pitched sounds of the Montessori bells. The green background provides clear contrast for the staff lines, supporting visual discrimination and precise placement of the musical notation markers.
“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 Bells Staff Board bridges concrete sound experience with abstract musical notation, addressing the child's developmental need to understand symbols through sensorial exploration.
- Understanding the relationship between staff position and musical pitch
- Developing fine motor control through precise marker placement
- Building visual discrimination skills for lines and spaces
- Connecting numerical sequence (1-8) with the C major scale
Read More
Each numbered circular marker on the Bells Staff Board corresponds to a specific bell tone, allowing children to physically manipulate musical notes while hearing their pitch relationships. The green background creates visual clarity that helps young eyes track the five staff lines accurately, essential for developing musical literacy. The Bells Staff Board transforms the abstract concept of written music into a tactile experience where children place markers on lines and spaces, discovering how position determines pitch. By connecting the physical placement of markers with the auditory experience of the bells, the Bells Staff Board creates a multi-sensory pathway to musical understanding that honors the child's need for concrete manipulation before abstract comprehension.
How to present it
Follow the Montessori method of presentation for optimal child development.
Place the Bells Staff Board on a table with the Montessori bells arranged in C major scale order nearby. Set the numbered markers in a small basket to the right of the board.
- 1
Strike bell C (1) and place its corresponding marker on the first line of the staff
Let the tone ring fully before placing the marker - 2
Continue with D (2) in the first space, E (3) on the second line, following the scale
Pause between each placement to reinforce the visual-auditory connection - 3
Once all markers are placed, point to each and sing or play the corresponding bell
Move slowly from left to right, establishing reading direction - 4
Remove markers in reverse order, playing each bell as you remove its marker
This reinforces the descending scale 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 Staff Board (Nienhuis)
