Thermic Tablets — Temperature Discrimination Through Touch
Sharpening perception one step at a time — this Thermic Tablets set brings children face-to-face with temperature perception through a collection of six pairs of tablets made from different materials with varying thermal conductivities. Each material - including wood, glass, stone, cork, felt, and metal - provides a unique temperature sensation when touched, helping children develop their thermic sense and material discrimination abilities. The tablets are stored in a compartmentalized wooden box for organized presentation and matching activities.
“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.”— Maria MontessoriEducation for a New World
The Thermic Tablets embody Montessori's principle of sensorial education, isolating the quality of temperature to refine the child's thermic sense. This material demonstrates the concept of pairing and grading, fundamental to Montessori sensorial work. By exploring how different materials conduct heat, children develop discrimination skills that extend beyond temperature perception to understanding material properties. The tablets support the child's natural tendency to explore through touch, honoring the absorbent mind's need for concrete experiences. This work prepares the mathematical mind through matching, comparing, and classifying activities while building vocabulary and scientific understanding. The material respects the child's sensitive period for sensory refinement between ages 3-6, when tactile exploration is paramount to cognitive development.
Step by Step to Mastery
Use slow, deliberate movements to model careful handling
Close eyes briefly to enhance concentration on thermal sensation
Return to the first tablet between comparisons to refresh the sensation
Arrange from coldest to warmest if child shows readiness for grading
Invite the child to verify your work before their turn
Use slow, deliberate movements to model careful handling
Close eyes briefly to enhance concentration on thermal sensation
Return to the first tablet between comparisons to refresh the sensation
Arrange from coldest to warmest if child shows readiness for grading
Invite the child to verify your work before their turn
Every Child Is a Little Creator
Heritage
Since 1929
Trusted by
Schools Worldwide
Handcrafted
in Europe
AMI
Endorsed
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