Thermic Tablets – Small

1. 6 Pairs of Tablets:
o The set includes 6 pairs of tablets, each pair made from a different material: felt, cork, wood, glass, slate, and steel. Each material has its own characteristic temperature feel.
o The materials are chosen for their ability to retain heat or feel cool, providing a range of temperature experiences when touched.

2. Varied Temperature Sensations:
o Each material offers a distinct sense of temperature, allowing the child to differentiate between warm, cool, and neutral sensations. For example:
 Cork and felt may feel warmer to the touch.
 Glass and steel may feel cooler due to their higher thermal conductivity.
 Wood and slate offer an intermediate sensation.

3. Polished Wooden Box:
o The tablets are stored in a wooden box with 6 compartments to hold the pairs of tablets. The box is polished, ensuring durability and ease of use. The design also encourages organization and helps the child learn to handle and care for the materials.
4. High-Quality Materials:

o The tablets are crafted from natural, non-toxic materials, ensuring safety for children during exploration. The high-quality construction also guarantees that the materials are durable and long-lasting.

1. Sensory Development:
o The primary benefit of the Thermic Tablets is the development of the sense of temperature. By feeling the differences between the tablets, children learn to distinguish between various temperature sensations, helping to refine their tactile
sense.

2. Material Properties Understanding:
o Children are introduced to the concept that different materials have distinct thermal properties. For example, the steel tablet feels cooler because steel conducts heatmore effectively than  wood or cork, which insulate heat.
o This introduces the child to basic scientific principles of heat conduction and material properties in an intuitive and hands-on way.

3. Tactile Discrimination:
o Handling the tablets and experiencing the varying temperatures improves tactilediscrimination. The child learns to identify cool and warm materials, enhancing their ability to make fine distinctions based on their sense of touch.

o The act of picking up, holding, and exploring each tablet develops fine motor control, as children learn to grasp the tablets, hold them in their hands, and manipulate them gently. This contributes to the development of hand-eye coordination and muscular control, which are foundational for later skills such as
writing and drawing.
5. Concentration and Focus:
o As children explore the temperature sensations, they must concentrate on the tactile experience. This activity helps children improve their focus and attention to detail as they observe and compare the different materials.

6. Preparation for Writing:
o The exploration of temperature through the Thermic Tablets can be beneficial for writing preparation. The fine motor control and concentration developed through the manipulation of the tablets translate to better pencil grip, hand stability, and muscle control.

1. Exploration and Comparison:

o Start by allowing the child to pick up each pair of tablets and feel the difference in temperature. Ask the child to describe how the materials fee "Is it cool or warm" or "How does the glass feel compared to the cork?".
o Encourage the child to close their eyes to increase their focus on the temperature and to differentiate between the materials based on tactile sensations alone.

2. Matching and Sorting:
o After the child has explored each pair of tablets, ask them to match or sort the tablets by temperature, from warmest to coolest. This introduces the concept of gradation and helps improve their categorization skills.

3. Material Exploration:
o Encourage the child to explore the different materials and discuss their properties. For example, ask, "Why do you think the steel feels cooler than the wood?"; This can lead to an introduction to basic scientific concepts about materials and heat transfer.
4. Group Activities:
o The Thermic Tablets can also be used in group settings, where children take turns feeling the tablets and describing the sensations. This fosters social learning and promotes communication skills as the children articulate their sensory experiences.

5. Temperature Sensitivity:
o Use the Thermic Tablets as part of a broader exploration of temperature. You might extend the activity by discussing temperature changes throughout the day, or by
introducing other materials (e.g., cloth, rubber) and comparing how they feel at different temperatures.

The Thermic Tablets – Small is a beautifully designed Montessori material that enhances a child's
tactile sense and introduces them to basic scientific concepts of temperature and material
properties. Through this engaging sensory exploration, children develop their fine motor skills,
concentration, and sensory discrimination, which are foundational for future tasks like writing and
drawing.
By exploring the differences in temperature through the Thermic Tablets, children are not only
refining their sensory skills but also gaining an early understanding of the material world around
them. Would you like additional ideas for incorporating the Thermic Tablets into a specific learning
context or activity?