The Multiple Shape Puzzle with Three Sizes of Circles (often called the Three-Circle Puzzle) is a significant step up from the single-shape puzzles. It is typically introduced to toddlers between 14 and 18 months.
While the Child has already mastered the “shape” of a circle, this material introduces the concept of grading by size—discriminating between large, medium, and small versions of the same form.
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Visual Discrimination of Size: The Child must look beyond the “roundness” of the piece and judge its area. They learn to distinguish between “big,” “middle-sized,” and “small.”
Mathematical Preparation: This is an early, concrete introduction to seriation (arranging objects in a series) and the decimal system (base-10 logic often found in Montessori materials).
Advanced Pincer Grip: The knobs remain the same size, but the weight and circumference of the circles vary, requiring the child to adjust their hand tension and control.
Spatial Reasoning: The Child must scan the board and match three different pieces to three different holes, increasing the complexity of the “search and find” process.
The Board: A rectangular wooden base with three circular cutouts.
The Pieces: Three circular insets that are identical in color and shape, but vary clearly in diameter (Large, Medium, and Small).
Isolation of Difficulty: By making all three circles the same color (blue), the material “isolates” the challenge of size. The Child cannot use color to cheat; they must rely entirely on their visual perception of dimension.
Preparation: Place the puzzle on the rug with all circles inside.
Removal: Using the pincer grip on the knobs, remove the circles one by one and place them in a scrambled row below the board.
The Matching Process:
Pick up the largest circle. Compare it to the holes.
Slowly place it into the largest cutout.
Repeat with the smallest circle.
Finish with the middle circle.
The Turn: Remove all pieces again and invite the Child to “find the home” for each circle.
The control of error is both physical and visual:
If the Child tries to put the large circle into the small hole, it simply won’t fit.
If the child puts the small circle into the large hole, it will fit, but there will be a significant gap around the edges. When they reach the final piece (the large circle), they will find it has no “home” left, forcing them to re-evaluate their previous choices.
This material is part of a series that grows with the Child:
Single Circle Puzzle: Mastery of the shape.
Three Sizes of Circles: (This material) Mastery of dimension.
Three Primary Shapes: (Circle, Square, Triangle) Mastery of different geometric properties on one board.
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
Sensorial: Children at this age learn through senses more than through their intellect. The sensorial materials are tools for children to refine each of their senses. Each material isolates a specific quality: smell, size, weight, texture, flavour, colour, etc. In this preschool age, when children are “bombarded” with sensorial information, these materials allow them to find order and meaning to the world, raising his/her capacity of perception, favouring observation and a sense of admiration for everything that surrounds him/her.
| Weight | 0.26 kg |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 34 × 13 × 4 cm |
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The wooden puzzles are really good. Has lasted a long time in my classroom.
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Violet D (verified owner) –
The wooden puzzles are really good. Has lasted a long time in my classroom.