This activity comes directly from John Bowman's ebook, Montessori at Home.
We have had fun in the past incorporating items found at the hardware store in our learning and play activities (March Wind Streamers and Our Own Pulley Investigation), so I was very excited to try this "Practical Life" activity using nuts and bolts.
Materials Needed
-Hex Bolts/Nuts in the following sizes: 1/4, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 5/8, and 3/4" along with 5 washers the corresponding sizes for each.
-Container (for storage)
-Index Card
-Marker
Total cost for the items ended up around $14
Make 3 label cards (in lower case): nuts, bolts, washers.
"Show your child how to separate out the parts with their label cards."
"Show how to find the right washers and put all five on a bolt,
then find the right nut and attach it, turning it to the right. 'Right is tight.' "
"Help as needed with your child gradually taking over. Show your child how the washers stop moving around and tighten down when the nuts are turned all the way down. Your child can also compare how much each set weighs, a Sensorial experience."
"Line up the completed sets as shown for a visual effect, going left to right, a pre-reading skill."
I have always been drawn to Montessori based teaching, blogs, and "toys". Do you incorporate Montessori based activities into your daily play/lesson plans? What are your favorite Montessori inspired blogs?
this is awesome. thank you!
this is awesome. thank you!
We only just purchased the E-book by John Bowman … so I'm only part way through it. Really looking forward to exploring your blog as I go through the book to see how you have used the ideas 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing!
This is a wonderful activity. It's a simpler way of re enforcing the twisting and turning activity and nuts and bolt activity. Thank you very much and God Bless you and your Family
I LOVE this.
Yes we do. I taught Montessori Preschool. I have a lot of trays set up for my kids to learn and explore.