The Number Tiles Box — Grey & White Visual Discrimination Activity is a Sensorial Montessori material designed for children aged 6-12, crafted by Nienhuis Montessori to AMI standards.
This elegant wooden sorting box contains numbered tiles in contrasting gray and cream colors, designed to enhance visual discrimination and numerical sequencing skills. The material supports the development of order, concentration, and mathematical readiness through hands-on manipulation of numbered tiles from 1-8, bridging sensorial experiences with early mathematical concepts.
“The senses, being explorers of the world, open the way to knowledge.”— Maria MontessoriThe Discovery of the Child
“Children display a universal love of mathematics, which is par excellence the science of precision, order, and intelligence.”
— Maria Montessori, The Discovery of the Child
This material embodies Maria Montessori's principle of isolation of difficulty by presenting numbers through contrasting colors and tactile experiences. The gray and white tiles create visual discrimination opportunities while supporting the mathematical mind's development through concrete manipulation. Following the sensorial-to-abstract progression, children internalize numerical sequences through repeated handling and ordering. The material respects the child's need for repetition and self-correction, as the visual contrast provides immediate feedback. By engaging multiple senses—visual discrimination through color contrast, tactile exploration through tile manipulation, and kinesthetic learning through sorting—this material prepares the mathematical mind while refining sensorial perception. The limited number range (1-8) allows for mastery without overwhelming the child, honoring Montessori's principle of presenting just enough challenge to maintain engagement while ensuring success.
Each order includes everything needed for proper presentation and long-term use.
Follow the Montessori method of presentation for optimal child development.
Remove all tiles and place them randomly on the mat
Begin sorting tiles by color into two distinct groups
Arrange gray tiles in numerical sequence from 1-8
Arrange white tiles in numerical sequence below the gray tiles
Return tiles to box in alternating color pattern
Every material is carefully selected for durability, safety, and authentic Montessori experience.
Each tile is carefully crafted with smooth edges and consistent dimensions, allowing children to focus on the mathematical concepts without distraction.
Each material supports multiple areas of child development simultaneously.
Contrasting colors enhance the child's ability to distinguish and categorize numerical symbols while developing visual perception skills.
Bridges sensorial experiences with abstract mathematical concepts through concrete manipulation of numbered tiles.
Develops understanding of numerical order and patterns through hands-on arrangement and sorting activities.
The precise nature of sorting and organizing tiles cultivates sustained focus and attention to detail.
Designed for child-sized hands
Professional tips from AMI-trained guides to maximize the educational value of this material.
“Present this material after the child has worked extensively with color tablets and number rods”
Observe without intervening—allow the child to self-correct through visual feedback
first color sorting, then numerical ordering
Store the material with tiles mixed to ensure the sorting process remains part of the work
Everything you need to know about this material.
This material develops visual discrimination, numerical sequencing, order, concentration, and mathematical readiness. Children learn to distinguish between contrasting colors while reinforcing number recognition and sequence from 1-8.
Children sort and arrange the numbered tiles by color and numerical sequence. They can create patterns, practice ordering numbers, and engage in various extension activities that bridge sensorial work with mathematical concepts.
The contrasting gray and white colors provide clear visual discrimination without distraction. This neutral color scheme helps children focus on the numerical aspect while still engaging their visual sense, supporting both sensorial and mathematical development.
While designed for ages 6-12, this material is particularly beneficial for children transitioning from sensorial to mathematical work. It's ideal for reinforcing number concepts in lower elementary while providing pattern and sequencing challenges for older children.
Children can create alternating color patterns, practice skip counting, explore odd and even numbers, create mathematical equations, or use the tiles for memory games. The material also supports work with factors and multiples.
Can't find what you're looking for?
Contact Our Experts
Share your experience with this material and help other educators and parents.
Bundle related materials and save. Free curriculum guide included with every set.
