Montessori Ten Metal Insets with Two Stands – Pre-Writing Material
The Montessori Metal Insets are a foundational material in the language curriculum. They prepare the child’s hand for writing by developing control, precision, and confidence through engaging tracing exercises. This complete set includes 10 blue metal geometric shapes in pink frames, with two wooden stands.
Children use the insets to practice movements essential for writing—smooth curves, straight lines, and fine muscle control—while also exploring symmetry, design, and pattern. These exercises build the pincer grip, wrist coordination, and light-pressure control, all of which are necessary for cursive handwriting.
What’s Included:
- 10 metal insets in pink frames (each 14 x 14 cm)
- 2 wooden display stands (each 65 x 16 cm)
Montessori Benefits:
- Strengthens the pincer grasp and wrist rotation
- Builds left-to-right eye tracking and control
- Refines pencil pressure and consistency
- Supports early geometric understanding and symmetry
- Promotes order, focus, and repetition
- Prepares the child for cursive handwriting
Presentation: Introduction to Metal Insets
Invite the child to the shelf and select one inset tray. Place it on a mat or table, along with a piece of inset-sized paper, a pencil holder, and two colored pencils.
- Place the paper on the tray and position the frame on top.
- Insert one pencil into the pencil holder.
- Show the child how to trace the inside edge of the frame in a slow, anti-clockwise motion.
- Replace the first pencil, insert the second one, and demonstrate how to fill in the shape using gentle serpentine lines.
- Let the child repeat the tracing and filling independently.
Exercise 1: Frame Tracing
The child traces around the inside edge of the metal frame onto the inset paper, building shape recognition and pencil control.
Exercise 2: Inset Tracing
When ready, the child uses the inset itself. Holding it by the knob, they trace around the outside edge of the inset to complete the shape.
Exercise 3: Filling the Shape
The child fills in the traced shape with a continuous serpentine line, gradually decreasing space between lines to develop wrist coordination and pressure control.
Exercise 4: Two Shapes, Two Colors
Show how to use two different insets and colors. The child traces and fills each shape using a different color, reinforcing visual contrast and creative thinking.
Exercise 5: Multiple Positions and Designs
Encourage the child to use the same shape in different positions and colors to create layered patterns or designs. This promotes visual planning and precision.
Note: These exercises are intended for writing preparation and artistic design, not for coloring as in map work.
Control of Error: Visual – the child sees whether the traced lines match the inset
Recommended Age: 3 to 5 years
Store all inset work in a folder labeled with the child’s name to foster order, respect, and pride in independent work.
This material pairs beautifully with sandpaper letters and the Montessori sand tray, supporting a smooth transition into cursive writing.
To learn more about why Montessori introduces cursive first, read our article:
Why Montessori Uses Cursive Letters First and Why It Matters
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