One of the classic Montessori materials is the knobbed cylinders [sometimes called cylinder blocks]. They can be quite expensive to buy, but I found this mini set for a reasonable price and snatched them up.
L has mastered each knobbed cylinder set individually [for instructions on how to present them, look here], so I knew she was ready for an extension of the work.
I put all four of the knobbed cylinders on a tray and put all of the cylinders into a bag in the middle. I showed L how to take a cylinder from the bag and put it in the correct hole. This work takes a while to complete since there are so many cylinders and holes to choose from — this builds concentration and focus.
L was pretty excited to have completed the whole work! The knobbed cylinders are a sensorial material that teach visual discrimination of size and promote fine motor skills, pincer grip, and hand-eye coordination. For older children [or if your child is ready for a more complicated extension], you can try this activity while blindfolded.
How lucky your little girl is as well as the children of other parents who take the time and energy to provide such a rich environment with many opportunities for experimenting and learning. You are giving children the opportunity to develop to their full potential. What a wonderful world it would be if all children were afforded this kind of care.
I just found this comment — WordPress classified it as spam for some reason! Thank you so much — I’m hoping that this blog will be a way to help other parents provide the same rich environment in their own homes.
I like this idea! I have a child who is 21 months. I assume this would be an age appropriate activity for her?
The original activity of just the knobbed cylinders would be great for that age. Once she has mastered that, you can add the extension of putting all of the cylinders in a bag together.