Fabric BoxTactile Discrimination Through Paired Matching
The first photo is the maker's own. The other shots are illustrative.
Inv. no. NIE-001450
- Maker
- Nienhuis Montessori, since 1929
- Approval
- AMI
- Tray
- Natural wood
- Fabrics
- Various textiles including cotton, felt, and textured materials
- EAN
- 8719924000196
Final price incl. VAT. Delivery €5.90, €65.10 to go for free delivery.
Advice, warranty and returns are handled by us.
Why it costs €83.90
Behind the price of the original are things you can check yourself.
AMI approval
The material is approved by the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI). Nienhuis has made Montessori materials since 1929.
A verifiable original
The EAN 8719924000196 is on the box. It is the maker's number, not ours.
Fabric Box in a child's hands
Pairs of fabrics in cotton, wool, jute, silk, leather and synthetic material, matched by touch alone in a beechwood box with a lid. Six materials that a hand can tell apart but the eye often cannot, which is why this work is usually done blindfolded. It is also the rare sensorial material where the vocabulary a child gains has an everyday use: knowing silk from synthetic is a distinction they will make in a shop at twenty. Wood, cotton, felt and textiles, for ages 3 to 6.
Stereognostic Sense
Develops the ability to recognize objects through touch alone, a crucial skill for cognitive development.
Tactile Discrimination
Refines the sense of touch by distinguishing between subtle differences in texture, preparing for later academic work.
Concentration
The focused matching activity builds sustained attention and careful observation skills.
Visual Memory
Children develop visual discrimination by matching patterns and colors alongside tactile qualities.
How to present it
Place the wooden tray on a table mat. Ensure all fabric pairs are mixed and arranged randomly in the tray. Sit to the child's dominant side.
- 1Invite the child, saying 'I'd like to show you something.' Remove all fabric pieces from the tray
- 2Select one fabric piece. Close your eyes and feel it slowly with your dominant hand's fingertips
- 3Open your eyes, place the fabric to your left. Close eyes again and feel each remaining piece until finding its match
- 4When you believe you've found the match, open eyes and place it next to the first piece
- 5Continue until all pairs are matched. Invite the child to feel each pair to verify
3 tips for parents
- Create a 'texture basket' at home with safe fabric scraps for continued exploration
- During daily activities, draw attention to fabric textures in clothing and household items
- Encourage descriptive language by asking 'How does this feel?' rather than 'Is this soft?'
If you are not sure it suits your child, we answer in person.
Norbert Kovalčín, founder of Faborino · write to him
There is no review here yet. We will ask you for one after you buy. Write the first review
What's in the Box
- Wooden storage tray: Natural finish
- Fabric swatches: Approx. 10 pieces in matching pairs
- Textured fabrics: Including checkered, smooth, and rough textures
Size and material
| Packaging | 32 × 22 × 3 cm |
| Tray | Natural wood |
| Fabrics | Various textiles including cotton, felt, and textured materials |
| Recommended Age | 3-6 years |
Care
Spot clean fabrics with damp cloth; wipe wooden tray with dry cloth
Frequently Asked Questions
What fabrics are included in this Montessori Fabric Box?
The Fabric Box includes pairs of various textures such as smooth silk, rough burlap, soft velvet, checkered cotton, corduroy, linen, and other contrasting fabrics. Each texture is represented twice for matching exercises.
How does the Fabric Box develop the stereognostic sense?
Children use their sense of touch without visual input by feeling fabrics behind their back or with closed eyes, then finding matching pairs. This isolation of the tactile sense strengthens their ability to recognize objects through touch alone, developing the stereognostic sense.
What is the recommended presentation sequence for the Fabric Box?
Start with 3-4 contrasting pairs, demonstrating gentle touching with fingertips. Progress to matching with eyes closed, then introduce more subtle texture differences. Finally, children can sort fabrics by properties or create texture gradations.
How should the fabric swatches be maintained and cleaned?
Store fabrics in the wooden tray away from direct sunlight. Spot clean with mild soap if needed, avoiding harsh chemicals that might alter textures. Replace worn swatches to maintain clear tactile differences. Check regularly that pairs remain matched.
What extensions can be done with the Fabric Box activity?
Extensions include matching fabrics to objects in the environment, creating texture books, sorting by properties (rough/smooth), language enrichment with texture vocabulary, and combining with other sensorial materials like the Touch Boards for comparative work.
Product safety
Manufacturer: Nienhuis Montessori, Anders Celsiusstraat 15, 7442 PB Nijverdal, Netherlands
Fabric Box