Sensorial Cabinet: Open Back (93 cm)
Made by Nienhuis Montessori · shipped by Heutink International (Netherlands) About the maker
Four shelves at 93 cm for the sensorial materials, with an open back so the unit can divide a room instead of being pushed against a wall. A raised edge along the top turns the surface into a place to present work rather than a place things slide off. Sensorial materials are bulky and awkward, the pink tower, the broad stair, the cylinder blocks, and they get used when they are visible and reachable, which is what this height and this depth are for. Plywood with laminate, 93 x 75 x 35 cm, for ages 3 to 6.
“Education is a natural process spontaneously carried out by the human individual, and is acquired not by listening to words but by experiences upon the environment.”
The Sensorial Cabinet with its 93cm height and open-back design creates a prepared environment where sensorial materials remain visible and accessible throughout the classroom day.
- Development of classroom order and material care
- Independence in selecting and returning materials
- Spatial awareness through navigating both sides of the cabinet
- Visual discrimination by identifying materials on shelves
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This cabinet's four shelves positioned at child height enable independent selection and return of materials, fostering the development of order and responsibility. The open-back construction allows teachers to observe material selection from multiple classroom positions while children access materials from either side, promoting natural movement patterns. The raised edge on top of this cabinet serves as a dedicated preparation space where teachers can arrange materials before presentations or children can organize their chosen work. By housing sensorial materials in this specialized cabinet, the classroom maintains the aesthetic order essential for concentration while making each material equally inviting and available for exploration.
How to present it
Follow the Montessori method of presentation for optimal child development.
Position the Sensorial Cabinet against a wall or as a room divider where both sides remain accessible. Arrange materials on shelves by difficulty level, with simpler materials on lower shelves.
- 1
Show children how to walk around both sides of the cabinet to view available materials
Practice this movement pattern during initial classroom orientation - 2
Demonstrate careful removal of materials using both hands, carrying to work area
Model slow, deliberate movements when accessing materials - 3
Practice returning materials to their designated spots on the shelf
Use photo labels initially to help children remember exact placement - 4
Introduce using the raised top edge for organizing materials before beginning work
This space helps children prepare mentally before starting an activity
Every Child Is a Little Creator
Heritage
Since 1929
In classrooms
Around the world
European brands
Nienhuis, GAM, Educo
Sensorial Cabinet: Open Back (93 cm)
