Geometric Solids (presentation one)

In a Montessori classroom, children learn about different solid geometrical shapes like cubes, prisms, pyramids, and spheres.

How is the first presentation with the Geometric Solids presented?

The directress introduces the child to the Geometric Solids and explains to him that she will be feeling the Geometric Solids. She begins by only using three shapes: sphere, cube, and cone. Once the child has completely grasped the concept of this activity, the remaining shapes may be introduced.

She chooses a shape from the basket and gives it the correct name, for example, sphere. She takes her time to feel the entire Geometric Solid. The directress continues to name and feel the remaining two shapes in the same manner. She then says to the child: “Should we see how they roll?”. She begins to roll each shape on the mat, the child notices how the sphere rolls in a straight line, the cone rolls around its apex and the cube does not roll at all. The directress may move onto the remaining shapes in the basket if the child feels he is confident to move on.

What does the child learn by doing the first presentation with the Geometric Solids?

This activity develops the child’s stereognostic sense, the child becomes more aware of the different geometric shapes in his environment as well as this activity makes the child more familiar with the different geometric solids.

Looking for more Montessori activities?

Here is the full list of the Montessori tasks, including Visual and Muscle Discrimination Sense activities, Tactile Sense activities, Chromatic Sense activities, Auditory Sense activities, Thermic Sense activities, Gustatory Sense activities, Baric Sense activities, Olfactory Sense activities, Stereognostic Sense activities, Geometry activities, and Algebra activities. Just click on the activity you want to learn about to go there.