Recently the children have been working hard on the Metal Insets for Design, which are a part of the literacy area of our classrooms. Maria Montessori argued that it was easier for the child under six to write before s/he can read. For a child to write legibly with a light hand and speedily without tiring, it is important that the hand is trained, which is what the Metal Insets for Design are used for. The Metal Insets for Design refine the child’s ability to handle and control the writing implement, and follow geometric shapes used in writing.
The child gets a tray and collects a sheet of paper, a colored pencil and a metal inset. They grip the pencil and trace the inset counterclockwise and finish the circle without picking up the pencil. After the circle is complete the child draws connected lines, back and forth, in the circle, touching the edges and never picking up the pencil. This takes fine precision and concentration. The child progresses to using different shape insets and more colors. Combining different shapes and colors, they create intricate designs and patterns. We have a book of examples in the classroom. What the children create is very impressive!
