Third Colour Box — 63 Tablets in 9 Colour Families with Gradations

Name: Third Colour Box — 63 Tablets in 9 Colour Families with Gradations
Brand: Nienhuis Montessori
SKU: NIE-005300
Price: 126.72 EUR
Availability: InStock

Price

€126.72

Final price — seller not VAT-registered

Shipping & Delivery

In Stock · 2-3 days

Quantity

Age Range3-6 Years

MaterialSolid wood construction

Dimensions25 × 4 × 25 cm

CertificationAMI Approved

About

The Third Box of Color Tablets is an advanced Montessori sensorial material featuring 63 tablets arranged in 9 color families, each with 7 graduated shades from lightest to darkest. This precise material refines visual discrimination and prepares children for understanding gradation, sequences, and systematic organization while building vocabulary for subtle color variations.

“The child is both a hope and a promise for mankind.”

— Maria MontessoriEducation and Peace

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Everything You Need

Wooden storage boxWith 9 compartments and dividers

63 color tablets7 shades each of 9 colors

White dividersSeparating each color family

The Montessori Method

The Third Colour Box with its 63 tablets across 9 colour families represents the pinnacle of colour discrimination work in Montessori sensorial education. These carefully graduated tablets address a fundamental developmental need between ages 3-6 when children's visual perception becomes sophisticated enough to distinguish subtle variations within colour families. The Third Colour Box enables children to isolate and refine their chromatic sense by working with seven gradations from lightest to darkest within each family. This precise gradation system helps children develop the visual discrimination necessary for later mathematical concepts, particularly geometry and measurement. The 63 tablets challenge young minds to create complex ordering sequences while building vocabulary around comparative language - lighter, darker, more intense. The Third Colour Box fulfills Dr. Montessori's vision of preparing the child's sensorial foundations for abstract learning. Each colour family within the Third Colour Box corresponds to specific wavelengths of light, making this material a bridge between sensory experience and scientific understanding. The gradated tablets cultivate patience and concentration as children repeatedly practice subtle discrimination tasks that strengthen neural pathways essential for academic learning.

✹Discriminate between seven subtle gradations within each of the 9 colour families✹Arrange tablets in precise gradation sequences from lightest to darkest shades✹Develop comparative vocabulary using terms like lighter, darker, more saturated, less intense✹Strengthen visual memory by matching gradations after studying colour relationships✹Build concentration through extended work with the 63 individual tablets requiring sustained focus

Third Colour Box — 63 Tablets in 9 Colour Families with Gradations — Child learning

AMI Certified

Activity Guide

Step by Step to Mastery

6 steps to mastery

Start with a color family that has clear contrast between shades, such as blue or red

Hold tablets up to the light if needed to distinguish subtle differences

This establishes anchor points for easier gradation

Work slowly, allowing time for visual comparison and adjustment

Use consistent vocabulary across all color families

Step back and observe without correcting—allow self-discovery

Browse steps

Start with a color family that has clear contrast between shades, such as blue or red

Hold tablets up to the light if needed to distinguish subtle differences

This establishes anchor points for easier gradation

Work slowly, allowing time for visual comparison and adjustment

Use consistent vocabulary across all color families

Step back and observe without correcting—allow self-discovery

Developmental Benefits

Why Educators Choose This

Visual Discrimination

Refines the ability to perceive subtle differences in color intensity and develops vocabulary for describing gradations.

Sequencing Skills

Arranging tablets from light to dark builds logical thinking and prepares for mathematical concepts of seriation.

Concentration Development

The challenging nature of distinguishing similar shades promotes sustained focus and attention to detail.

Indirect Preparation

Prepares for art activities, understanding value in drawing, and scientific observation of natural phenomena.

Always grade colors yourself before presenting to ensure accuracy in natural light conditions

Store tablets in their compartments consistently to maintain order and facilitate independent work

Observe which color families children gravitate toward—this reveals individual sensory preferences and development

Pro Tip

“Present this material only after mastery of the First and Second Color Boxes—readiness is crucial for success”

The Gold Standard in Montessori

Every Child Is a Little Creator

Heritage

Since 1929

Trusted by

Schools Worldwide

Handcrafted

in Europe

AMI

Endorsed

Have Questions?

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about this material.

Contact Our Experts

What are the prerequisites before introducing the Third Box of Color Tablets?

Children should have mastered Color Box 1 (primary colors) and Color Box 2 (secondary colors) first. They should be able to match colors accurately and have developed the concentration needed for more detailed work, typically around age 4-5.

How do I present the grading activity with this material?

Start with one color family of 7 tablets. Mix them randomly, then show the child how to arrange them from lightest to darkest. Use minimal language initially, allowing the child to rely on visual discrimination. Once mastered, introduce vocabulary like 'lighter than' and 'darker than.'

What extensions can be done with the Third Box of Color Tablets?

Extensions include matching tablets to objects in the environment, creating color wheels, combining multiple color families in patterns, memory games with specific shades, and artistic activities like painting to match the gradations. Children can also explore complementary colors and color mixing.

Why are there exactly 7 shades in each color family?

The seven gradations provide the optimal challenge for developing refined visual discrimination without overwhelming the child. This number allows children to perceive subtle differences while maintaining the ability to sequence the entire set, supporting both perceptual development and logical thinking.

How should I store and maintain these color tablets?

Store in the original wooden box with compartments to prevent mixing. Handle tablets by the edges to avoid fingerprints on the colored surfaces. Keep away from direct sunlight to prevent fading. Clean gently with a dry cloth. Check periodically that all 63 tablets are present and in good condition.

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