The Thermic Tablets — Temperature Discrimination Through Touch is a Sensorial Montessori material designed for children aged 3-6, crafted by Nienhuis Montessori to AMI standards.
This Thermic Tablets set introduces children to temperature perception through a collection of six pairs of tablets made from different materials with varying thermal conductivities. Each material - including wood, glass, stone, cork, felt, and metal - provides a unique temperature sensation when touched, helping children develop their thermic sense and material discrimination abilities. The tablets are stored in a compartmentalized wooden box for organized presentation and matching activities.
“Free the child's potential, and you will transform him into the world.”— Maria MontessoriTo Educate the Human Potential
“Education is a natural process spontaneously carried out by the human individual, and is acquired not by listening to words but by experiences upon the environment.”
— Maria Montessori, Education for a New World
The Thermic Tablets embody Montessori's principle of sensorial education, isolating the quality of temperature to refine the child's thermic sense. This material demonstrates the concept of pairing and grading, fundamental to Montessori sensorial work. By exploring how different materials conduct heat, children develop discrimination skills that extend beyond temperature perception to understanding material properties. The tablets support the child's natural tendency to explore through touch, honoring the absorbent mind's need for concrete experiences. This work prepares the mathematical mind through matching, comparing, and classifying activities while building vocabulary and scientific understanding. The material respects the child's sensitive period for sensory refinement between ages 3-6, when tactile exploration is paramount to cognitive development.
Each order includes everything needed for proper presentation and long-term use.
Follow the Montessori method of presentation for optimal child development.
Remove tablets systematically, creating two mixed groups of six tablets each
Select one tablet, hold with fingertips for 3-5 seconds, focusing on temperature sensation
Find its pair by touching each tablet in the second group, comparing temperatures
Place matched pairs together in a row
Verify matches by touching paired tablets alternately
Every material is carefully selected for durability, safety, and authentic Montessori experience.
Each material is chosen for its distinct thermal properties, from the warmth-retaining cork to the cool-conducting stone and glass
Each material supports multiple areas of child development simultaneously.
Refines the child's ability to perceive and distinguish temperature differences through touch.
Develops sensory memory and concentration through matching activities with temperature sensations.
Introduces scientific concepts of thermal conductivity and material properties through hands-on exploration.
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 successfully with other pairing materials like Color Tablets #1”
Ensure the storage box keeps tablets at consistent room temperature between uses
cool, cold, warm, neutral, conductor, insulator
Observe if children need to warm their hands by rubbing them together before beginning work
Everything you need to know about this material.
Thermic tablets are sensorial materials consisting of six pairs of tablets made from different materials (wood, glass, stone, cork, felt, and metal). Each material has different thermal conductivity, creating distinct temperature sensations when touched. Children match pairs blindfolded or with eyes closed, developing their ability to perceive and discriminate temperature differences through touch.
Thermic tablets are designed for children ages 3-6 years. Children should have developed basic sensorial discrimination skills and be able to handle materials carefully. This activity typically follows work with other tactile materials like rough and smooth boards or fabric boxes in the Montessori sensorial curriculum.
Thermic tablets develop thermic perception, temperature discrimination, and tactile sensitivity. They enhance sensory awareness, concentration, and memory while building vocabulary related to temperature and materials. The matching activity also develops cognitive skills, scientific thinking about material properties, and prepares children for understanding heat conductivity concepts.
Begin by showing the child how to carry the box carefully to a table. Demonstrate touching each tablet gently with fingertips, noting temperature sensations. Mix one set and show how to match pairs by touch. Initially work with eyes open, progressing to blindfolded matching. Use precise language like 'warmer,' 'cooler,' and material names throughout the presentation.
Extension activities include grading tablets from coldest to warmest, exploring room objects to find similar thermal properties, discussing why materials feel different temperatures, and connecting to science concepts about conductivity. Children can also create temperature sorting games, explore tablets after exposure to sunlight, or combine with other sensorial materials for multi-sensory experiences.
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.
