North American Animal Tracks With Objects
Made by Nienhuis Montessori · shipped by Heutink International (Netherlands) About the maker
Developed for thorough curriculum coverage, this North American wildlife set pairs photographic animal cards with corresponding track illustrations and miniature animal figures, helping children explore native fauna through visual, tactile, and comparative learning. The material introduces approx. 12 North American species including mountain lions and raccoons, helping children develop wildlife identification skills while understanding the relationship between animals and their unique footprints.
“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 North American Animal Tracks With Objects material brings the natural world into the prepared environment through concrete representations that connect animals to their environmental traces. By pairing photographic animal cards with track illustrations and miniature figures, this set allows children to build mental connections between living creatures and the marks they leave behind.
- Visual discrimination between animal species and their corresponding tracks
- Classification skills for grouping animals by habitat, size, or track characteristics
- Vocabulary development for animal names and descriptive track terminology
- Fine motor control through handling miniature figures and arranging cards
Read More
The inclusion of 12 North American species like mountain lions and raccoons respects the child's need to understand their immediate geographical context before expanding to global fauna. This three-part matching work, photograph, track, and figure, engages multiple senses while building classification skills essential to scientific thinking. The miniature animal figures provide the concrete manipulation young children require, while the photographic cards and track illustrations introduce abstract representation. Through matching animals to their unique footprints, children develop observation skills and begin to understand cause and effect relationships in nature, laying groundwork for later studies in biology and ecology.
How to present it
Follow the Montessori method of presentation for optimal child development.
Arrange the photographic animal cards in a row across the top of a mat. Place track illustration cards in a basket to the left and miniature figures in a basket to the right. Start with 3-4 familiar animals for initial presentations.
- 1
Select one photographic card and name the animal clearly
Use the animal's proper name rather than baby talk, 'raccoon' not 'trash panda' - 2
Find the matching miniature figure, examining its features
Let the child hold and explore the figure's texture and details - 3
Search for the corresponding track card, discussing its shape
Point out unique features like claw marks or pad shapes - 4
Place all three items together vertically: photo, track, figure
Create consistent spacing between matched sets - 5
Continue matching remaining animals, tracks, and figures
Work left to right to reinforce reading preparation
Every Child Is a Little Creator
Heritage
Since 1929
In classrooms
Around the world
European brands
Nienhuis, GAM, Educo
North American Animal Tracks With Objects
