“[P]reparatory actions provide a child with a mechanism that can give an impulse that should lead to an unexpected explosion of writing.”

MARIA MONTESSORI

The Metal Insets, not metal insects, as they are sometimes called, are a frequently touched and sought after material in the primary classrooms. They draw the child’s attention not only by the contrasting colors between the inset and the frame, but also the varying design of all ten geometric shapes. The Metal Insets are differentiated from the other language materials and are housed on its own special shelf. Each of the ten geometric shapes are laid out, one next to the other. The ten shapes include: a circle, square, rectangle, equilateral triangle, quatrefoil, curvilinear triangle, oval, ellipse, isosceles trapezoid and pentagon.  Situated above the contrasting geometric shapes are pencils of a variety of colors that are used specifically for the Metal Insets. Below the shapes are the trays needed to carry the inset and frame, a holder for the pencils, a rubber table mat, and paper that is cut to the exact dimensions of the frame (14 cm squared).

Once the Metal Insets are presented to the child, she will remain engaged with the material for most of her remaining time in the primary classroom. With nine variations of lessons to be presented by the directress, the child will work with the materials in diverse ways, increasing his skills as he moves through the lessons. The work of the Metal Insets strengthens the hand for writing and using a writing instrument. They also aim for the child to develop a lightness of touch and control within the limits of the shape. Children who are strong and detailed with the Metal Insets typically will demonstrate strength with cursive writing as well.

When first presented, the child is shown how to trace the frame. The inset is then aligned on top of the traced shape and traced again with a different color. A third color is used to show the child how to slowly, and with control, shade the shape from bottom to top, left to right, using curvy lines. The directress’ movements are slow and deliberate. She will draw the curvy lines as she moves from the bottom to the top of the shape, never picking up her pencil until she reaches the end.

Children love the Metal Insets for their seemingly never ending, artistic options! They will continue to work with the material, lesson by lesson, practicing their creativity and fine tuning their hand for writing. If you feel as though, “My child is doing more metal insets”, know that there’s certainly more than meets the eye.  It is a depth of the language materials that lead the children not only into beautiful, refined, cursive handwriting, but an appreciation of artistic beauty and design!  It’s easy to see why the Metal Insets are such a beloved material!