The Single Shape Puzzle is a foundational Montessori material introduced to infants and toddlers (typically 9 to 15 months). It is often the child’s first introduction to puzzles and acts as a bridge between “posting” boxes and more complex pictorial puzzles.
Unlike traditional puzzles with many pieces and pictures, this material isolates a single geometric shape to allow the child to focus entirely on the relationship between a 3D object and its 2D space.
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Visual Discrimination: The child learns to recognize the specific properties of a shape (e.g., the roundness of a circle vs. the corners of a square).
Pincer Grip Development: Each puzzle piece features a large wooden knob. To lift the piece, the child must use their thumb and fingers, which strengthens the small muscles needed for future writing.
Hand-Eye Coordination: The child must align the piece precisely with the cutout in the wooden frame to make it fit.
Problem Solving: If the piece is held at an angle or upside down, it won’t fit. The child must manipulate the object until it drops into place.
In a Montessori environment, these puzzles are presented one at a time in a specific order of difficulty:
The Large Circle: (Easiest) Because a circle is perfectly symmetrical, it will fit into the frame no matter how it is rotated.
The Small Circle: Requires more precision and a tighter pincer grip.
The Square: Introduces corners. The child must realize the piece only fits when the flat sides are aligned.
The Equilateral Triangle: (Hardest) This is the most challenging because it requires the most specific orientation to fit into the frame.
Preparation: The puzzle is placed on a low table or rug with the shape already inside the frame.
The Reveal: The adult uses the knob to slowly lift the shape out of the frame and places it on the rug next to the board.
Exploration: The adult may trace the edge of the shape with two fingers, then trace the inside of the empty frame, highlighting the matching contours.
The Replacement: The shape is carefully lowered back into the frame.
The Turn: The child is then invited to try.
The “Control of Error” is physical and visual. If the shape is not aligned, it will sit on top of the frame rather than inside it. The child can see and feel that it is not “home,” prompting them to keep trying until it clicks into place.
The Guide follows a natural progression of puzzles, as s/he introduces them to toddlers (9 to 18 months). Start with puzzles that feature large knobs or pegs; because children can easily grasp them, as they learn how to remove or replace each piece.
Introduce shapes to the Child, separately, following the suggested sequence: circle, square, triangle. You can gradually introduce two, then three, and finally all four shapes simultaneously; increasing the difficulty level; as they learn, and master the complexity of each puzzle.
Gradually introduce puzzles with smaller knobs, and more pieces, as the Child’s pincer grasp, and fine motor skills, improve. Remember to follow the Child, they will let you know when they are ready to progress to more complex work.
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.
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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:
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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
| Weight | 0.11 kg |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 13 × 13 × 4 cm |
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Good toddler product, coming from a pedantic teacher
chunky knob for little hands. Does the job!
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Chantelle Trotter (verified owner) –
Good toddler product, coming from a pedantic teacher
erica.myburgh –
chunky knob for little hands. Does the job!