The Little Horse
Made by Nienhuis Montessori · shipped by Heutink International (Netherlands) About the maker
A cosmic tale about the horse, from the series built on Maria Montessori's great lessons. The horse sits late on the timeline, in the part of the story a child can almost reach: warm blood, a mother that feeds it milk, and a body built on the same plan as their own, four limbs and a spine. Written in English, one animal at a time. The other titles in the series are separate items.
“The senses, being explorers of the world, open the way to knowledge.”
The Little Horse serves as a bridge between the child's inner world and the natural environment, fulfilling Maria Montessori's vision of connecting children with living creatures through careful observation.
- Visual discrimination of horse breeds and characteristics
- Vocabulary expansion related to equine anatomy and behavior
- Classification skills for mammals and farm animals
- Observation skills through detailed photographic study
Read More
This softcover book with its stunning photography addresses the child's need for reality-based learning during the absorbent mind period. The Little Horse's detailed images allow children to study equine anatomy, movement patterns, and habitats without abstraction or fantasy. In the Cultural Studies area, this book becomes a reference point for classification work, enabling children to explore mammalian characteristics through concrete visual examples. The photographic format of The Little Horse respects the child's developmental need for truth and accuracy, presenting horses as they actually appear in nature. By examining real horses through these pages, children develop powers of observation essential for scientific thinking. The book's softcover design makes it accessible for independent handling, allowing repeated exploration as interest dictates.
How to present it
Follow the Montessori method of presentation for optimal child development.
Place The Little Horse on a low shelf in the Cultural Studies area alongside other animal books. Prepare a basket with horse figurines and nomenclature cards if available.
- 1
Invite the child to explore the book together, turning pages slowly
Let the child set the pace - some may want to study one image for several minutes - 2
Point to specific features in the photographs using precise vocabulary
Use terms like 'mane,' 'hoof,' 'withers' rather than generic descriptions - 3
Encourage the child to trace horse shapes with their finger on the page
This tactile exploration helps internalize the animal's form - 4
Compare different horses shown, noting variations in color and size
Ask 'What do you notice about this horse?' rather than telling
Every Child Is a Little Creator
Heritage
Since 1929
In classrooms
Around the world
European brands
Nienhuis, GAM, Educo
The Little Horse
