The heart is an engine, a muscle, pumping blood around the body, continuously fulfilling 1 of 2 functions.  It either sends oxygenated blood to various parts of the body or collects and transports de-oxygenated blood from the body to the lungs.  The lungs replenish the oxygen in the blood, returning it to the heart.

This transfer of oxygenated and de-oxygenated blood occurs in the chambers of the heart.  Maria Montessori was fascinated by embryonic creation.  What better illustration of how amazing the creation of a human being is, than learning that a few special cells called the sinoatrial (or sinus) node create the electricity that powers this amazing organ.  This node acts as a pacemaker for the heart.  See them

The power of the muscle that is the heart is incredible.  On average, 5.6 litres of blood circulate throughout the body every 45 seconds! It travels a total of approx. 19,000km (12,000 miles) around the body.  That is 3 times around the circumference of South Africa.

The heart’s pacemaker sends out an electrical signal (impulse) that spreads throughout the heart along electrical pathways.  These pathways transmit the signal from the upper to the lower chambers of the heart, prompting the heart muscle to contract.  Regular, rhythmic electrical signals keep the heart pumping blood to the lungs and the body.

The 3-D Pumping Heart model featured by Childrens House this week, helps the Child to visualise this amazing process.  This fascinating model comes in separate pieces, to be assembled in the classroom.  The transparent pieces allow the Child to view the circulation of the blood around the heart, as the Child controls the flow by pumping the rubber squeeze ball.  Suitable for 3 to 6 and 6 to 12 environments.