Thermic Tablets — Temperature Discrimination Through Touch

Price

€75.11

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Shipping & Delivery

In Stock · 2-3 days

Quantity

Age Range3-6 Years

MaterialNatural wood with dividers

DimensionsApprox. 20 × 10 × 15 cm

CertificationAMI Approved

About

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

AMI ApprovedOfficial Nienhuis

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2-Year WarrantyQuality guaranteed

Everything You Need

Wooden storage boxWith 12 compartments

12 tablets (6 pairs)2 each of wood, glass, stone, cork, felt, metal

The Montessori Method

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.

✹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✹Preparation for physics concepts through concrete thermal conductivity experiences

Thermic Tablets — Temperature Discrimination Through Touch - Child learning

AMI Approved

Activity Guide

Step by Step to Mastery

5 steps 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

Browse steps

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

Developmental Benefits

Why Educators Choose This

Thermic Discrimination

Refines the child's ability to perceive and distinguish temperature differences through touch.

Sensory Memory

Develops sensory memory and concentration through matching activities with temperature sensations.

Material Properties

Introduces scientific concepts of thermal conductivity and material properties through hands-on exploration.

Ensure the storage box keeps tablets at consistent room temperature between uses

Introduce temperature vocabulary naturally

cool, cold, warm, neutral, conductor, insulator

Observe if children need to warm their hands by rubbing them together before beginning work

Pro Tip

“Present this material after the child has worked successfully with other pairing materials like Color Tablets #1”

The Gold Standard in Montessori

Every Child Is a Little Creator

Heritage

Since 1929

Brands used by

schools worldwide

European brands

AMI

Endorsed

Have Questions?

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about this material.

Contact Our Experts

What are Montessori thermic tablets and how do they work?

Thermic tablets are sensorial materials consisting of six pairs of tablets made from different materials (wood, glass, stone, cork, felt, and metal). Each material has different thermal conductivity, creating distinct temperature sensations when touched. Children match pairs blindfolded or with eyes closed, developing their ability to perceive and discriminate temperature differences through touch.

At what age should children start using thermic tablets?

Thermic tablets are designed for children ages 3-6 years. Children should have developed basic sensorial discrimination skills and be able to handle materials carefully. This activity typically follows work with other tactile materials like rough and smooth boards or fabric boxes in the Montessori sensorial curriculum.

What skills do thermic tablets develop in children?

Thermic tablets develop thermic perception, temperature discrimination, and tactile sensitivity. They enhance sensory awareness, concentration, and memory while building vocabulary related to temperature and materials. The matching activity also develops cognitive skills, scientific thinking about material properties, and prepares children for understanding heat conductivity concepts.

How do you present thermic tablets to a child?

Begin by showing the child how to carry the box carefully to a table. Demonstrate touching each tablet gently with fingertips, noting temperature sensations. Mix one set and show how to match pairs by touch. Initially work with eyes open, progressing to blindfolded matching. Use precise language like 'warmer,' 'cooler,' and material names throughout the presentation.

What activities can extend learning with thermic tablets?

Extension activities include grading tablets from coldest to warmest, exploring room objects to find similar thermal properties, discussing why materials feel different temperatures, and connecting to science concepts about conductivity. Children can also create temperature sorting games, explore tablets after exposure to sunlight, or combine with other sensorial materials for multi-sensory experiences.

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