The 3 Cubes on a Vertical Dowel is a classic Montessori Toddler material usually introduced between 10 and 15 months. It is part of a series of “stacking” and “threading” activities that transition the Child from simple “dropping” (like the Imbucare boxes) to intentional “placing.”
This material consists of a stable wooden base with one vertical peg (dowel) and three identical wooden cubes, each with a hole drilled through the center.
$13.82
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In stock
Purchase this item and get 1 Bead - a worth of Advanced Hand-Eye Coordination: Unlike the Imbucare boxes where the hole is large and the box catches the object, this requires the Child to align a small hole in the cube with a narrow dowel.
Refining the Voluntary Release: The Child must not only let go of the cube but do so only once it has been successfully threaded onto the dowel.
Wrist Stability: To stack the cubes, the Child must hold their hand steady in space, which builds the internal stability of the arm and wrist.
Mathematical Foundation: While the child is playing, they are experiencing the early concept of 1-to-1 correspondence and counting (1, 2, 3).
Presentation: The adult slowly lifts a cube, positions it over the dowel, and lets it slide down. The “clink” as it hits the base provides satisfying auditory feedback.
The Effort: The child attempts to mimic this. You will often see a toddler using their “helping hand” to steady the base while the “dominant hand” tries to find the top of the dowel with the hole in the cube.
Completion: The activity is finished when all three cubes are stacked. The child then removes them one by one to start over.
Montessori materials are intentionally limited. Three cubes are used because:
Manageable Challenge: It is enough to provide a sense of a “beginning, middle, and end” without being so many that the Child loses interest or becomes overwhelmed.
Pattern Recognition: Three is the minimum number required to create a vertical sequence or pattern.
In a Montessori classroom, the vertical dowel activities progress in difficulty based on the shape of the object being stacked:
Discs on Vertical Dowel: (Easiest) The circular hole is easy to see and the disc is easy to grasp.
Cubes on Vertical Dowel: (Intermediate) The flat sides of the cube make it slightly heavier and bulkier to handle.
Horizontal Dowel: (Advanced) The child must rotate their wrist 90 degrees to thread a ring onto a peg pointing sideways.
It is made from birchply and solid beechwood.
Dimensions
13 x 13 x 13 cm / (5″ x 5″ x 5″)
One of the attractions to the Montessori Method is the extensive use of wood.
We use several types of wood, sourced from renewable sources, in the production of our Montessori Materials.
We ensure that the coatings and inks used are not only eco-friendly, but also non-toxic.
Our wooden products are manufactured by responsible partner factories both locally and abroad and ensure that fair labour practices are adopted.
Care instructions for Childrens House Wooden Materials:
Order R1000 worth of items to qualify for free shipping to your door anywhere in South Africa.
Transit times depend on your location:
Feel free to email us should you require any further information.
We offer free delivery to the USA:
Should you require further information about shipping charges, please feel free to contact us at info@childrenshouse.co.za
Further Reading and Resources
| Weight | 0.19 kg |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 13 × 13 × 13 cm |
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Montessori equipment so well thought out for little hands. The cubes perfect size and cannot be swallowed.
My little girl has already mastered pulling cubes off. Excellent for hand and eye co-ordination and beginning of pincer grip.
I love the simplicity. This is authentic Montessori.
The toddler items from Childrens House are exceptional.
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Noleen Clarke (verified owner) –
Montessori equipment so well thought out for little hands. The cubes perfect size and cannot be swallowed.
My little girl has already mastered pulling cubes off. Excellent for hand and eye co-ordination and beginning of pincer grip.
Rheome van Rensburg (verified owner) –
I love the simplicity. This is authentic Montessori.
Violet D (verified owner) –
The toddler items from Childrens House are exceptional.