Thermic Tablets: Temperature Discrimination Through Touch
Made by Nienhuis Montessori · shipped by Heutink International (Netherlands) About the maker
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.”
The Thermic Tablets embody Montessori's principle of sensorial education, isolating the quality of temperature to refine the child's thermic sense.
- Refinement of thermic sense and temperature discrimination
- Development of material property awareness and scientific thinking
- Enhancement of concentration through focused sensorial work
- Vocabulary enrichment with descriptive temperature and material terms
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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.
How to present it
Follow the Montessori method of presentation for optimal child development.
Place the box on a table mat. Sit to the child's dominant side. Ensure hands are at room temperature. Present during moderate room temperatures for optimal contrast.
- 1
Remove tablets systematically, creating two mixed groups of six tablets each
Use slow, deliberate movements to model careful handling - 2
Select one tablet, hold with fingertips for 3-5 seconds, focusing on temperature sensation
Close eyes briefly to enhance concentration on thermal sensation - 3
Find its pair by touching each tablet in the second group, comparing temperatures
Return to the first tablet between comparisons to refresh the sensation - 4
Place matched pairs together in a row
Arrange from coldest to warmest if child shows readiness for grading - 5
Verify matches by touching paired tablets alternately
Invite the child to verify your work before their turn
Every Child Is a Little Creator
Heritage
Since 1929
In classrooms
Around the world
European brands
Nienhuis, GAM, Educo
AMI approved
To the association standard
Thermic Tablets: Temperature Discrimination Through Touch
