Grammar Symbol Tiles
Made by Nienhuis Montessori · shipped by Heutink International (Netherlands) About the maker
Grammar Symbol Tiles let a child learn the grammar symbols in a dynamic, physical way, using felt tiles mounted on compressed board. The verb tile takes the central role, with a diameter of 50 cm, and all the other parts of speech are laid out in a circle around it, so the child can physically walk between symbols and see how each word type relates back to the verb. This large scale, floor based version of the grammar symbols turns a normally tabletop lesson into full body movement. The tiles are AMI certified and made for children aged 3 to 6.
“The child is both a hope and a promise for mankind.”
Grammar Symbol Tiles transform the abstract concept of parts of speech into concrete, manipulable forms that children can see and touch.
- Identifies different parts of speech through geometric symbol recognition
- Builds sentences by physically arranging grammar symbols in sequence
- Develops tactile discrimination through felt texture exploration
- Strengthens visual memory for grammatical patterns and structures
Read More
Each felt triangle, circle, and geometric shape represents a specific grammatical function, the large black triangle for nouns grounds language work in tangible reality, while the red circle for verbs rolls and moves like the actions it represents. The thick felt construction of these tiles engages the child's sense of touch, creating muscle memory as fingers trace the firm, board-backed shapes. This sensorial approach to grammar emerges from Montessori's observation that children between ages 3-6 absorb language patterns through physical interaction. The vivid colors and distinct geometric forms of the Grammar Symbol Tiles allow children to physically arrange and rearrange sentence patterns, discovering how words function together before formally naming these relationships. Through repeated manipulation of these felt symbols, grammatical structures become internalized as lived experience rather than memorized rules.
How to present it
Follow the Montessori method of presentation for optimal child development.
Arrange the Grammar Symbol Tiles on a mat in their families: noun family symbols together, verb symbols together. Place a basket of familiar object labels and action cards nearby.
- 1
Introduce the large black triangle for nouns by placing it above an object label
Let the child feel the felt texture while naming: 'This triangle stands for naming words' - 2
Add the red circle for verbs above an action card, demonstrating how it rolls
Roll the circle gently to show how verbs indicate movement and change - 3
Build a simple sentence using object and action cards with corresponding symbols above
Start with two-word sentences like 'Bird flies' before adding complexity - 4
Invite the child to create their own sentence and place the appropriate felt symbols
Accept any logical sentence structure, focus on symbol-word matching, not perfection
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
Grammar Symbol Tiles
