Material Cabinet: Open Back (93 cm)
Made by Nienhuis Montessori · shipped by Heutink International (Netherlands) About the maker
Four shelves at 93 cm, two of them adjustable, with an open back so the unit can stand free in a room instead of against a wall. Adjustable shelves matter more than they sound: material heights change as a class moves through the year, and a fixed shelf quietly decides what can be stored where. Suitable for children from 3 to 12. Ships flat packed and unassembled to keep delivery down; a back panel and a braked caster set are available separately. Plywood with laminate, 118 x 40 x 93 cm.
“The child is both a hope and a promise for mankind.”
The Material Cabinet with Open Back (93 cm) embodies the Montessori principle of creating an ordered environment where every item has its designated place.
- Develops spatial awareness through navigating shelf heights
- Strengthens organizational skills by maintaining material placement
- Builds independence in selecting and returning work
- Enhances visual scanning abilities
Read More
This four-shelf cabinet positions learning materials at heights accessible to children aged 3-6, enabling independent selection and return of work. The open-back design serves a dual purpose: allowing natural light to permeate the classroom while helping children see available materials from multiple angles. The cabinet's 93 cm height places the top shelf within reach of six-year-olds while keeping lower shelves accessible to younger children. The raised edge on top transforms this cabinet into a secondary display surface, preventing materials from falling while creating an additional presentation area. By organizing materials on these visible shelves, children develop visual discrimination skills as they scan, select, and replace items in their proper locations. This open storage system cultivates the child's sense of order, supporting their natural tendency to classify and organize their environment during the sensitive period for order that peaks between ages two and four.
How to present it
Follow the Montessori method of presentation for optimal child development.
Position the cabinet against a wall where children can access it from the front and sides. Arrange materials on shelves by curriculum area, with most-used items on middle shelves at children's eye level.
- 1
Organize materials by subject area on each shelf, using trays or baskets to contain small items
Place language materials together, mathematics materials together, etc. - 2
Label each shelf or section with visual markers that young children can recognize
Use color-coded labels or picture cards for pre-readers - 3
Demonstrate to children how to remove materials carefully from the shelf
Model using two hands for heavier items and walking slowly - 4
Show children how to return materials to their exact location
Point out visual cues that help identify where each item belongs
Every Child Is a Little Creator
Heritage
Since 1929
In classrooms
Around the world
European brands
Nienhuis, GAM, Educo
Material Cabinet: Open Back (93 cm)
