4Real Forums: metal insets

Oh, Dearest Mother, Sweetest Virgin of Altagracia, our Patroness. You are our Advocate and to you we recommend our needs. You are our Teacher and like disciples we come to learn from the example of your holy life. You are our Mother, and like children, we come to offer you all of the love of our hearts. Receive, dearest Mother, our offerings and listen attentively to our supplications. Amen.

Active Topics || Favorites || Member List || Search || About Us || Help || Register || Login

Nurturing the Years of Wonder
4Real Forums : Nurturing the Years of Wonder

Topic: metal insets

Author

Message

<< Prev Topic | Next Topic >>

Becky Parker
Forum All-Star

Joined: May 23 2005
Location: Michigan
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2582

Posted: May 24 2006 at 6:14am \| IP Logged

Okay, I need someone to talk me out of buying the metal insets!

I really like them, I like what the kids can do with them, I THINK they will be a good thing for my ds's fine motor coordination ... BUT, they are expensive, even from Montessori N Such (which seems to be the cheapest I have found them). I should also add that I can't make them. I am just not skilled at this sort of thing and I have tried in the past to make them out of thick poster board but they just don't work well for me. Am I making excuses? Maybe

, but maybe, if there is anyone as unskilled as I in the realm of craftiness, you will understand.

Anyway, does anyone know of a great (inexpensive) alternative? I thought about stencils, but can they really be used the same way? I know I am just going on and on here, but I'm trying to figure out a way to get what I want and not break the bank. Thanks for any suggestions you might have!
Becky

Mare
Forum Pro

Joined: Feb 08 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 357

Posted: May 24 2006 at 8:40am \| IP Logged

Hi Becky,

I picked up plastic insets at Learning Resources Inc. I've been happy with the plastic insets and the price I paid.

I just did a check and they no longer carry them.

When I was searching for an alternative for metal insets, I discovered that the plastic insets are called "Montessori shapes." Here's a place that carries the plastic insets. I haven't ordered from this company. You could also do a search using "Montessori shapes" as your search term in Froogle.

HTH,

__________________

Becky Parker
Forum All-Star

Joined: May 23 2005
Location: Michigan
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2582

Posted: May 24 2006 at 10:51am \| IP Logged

Thanks Mare!
I was able to find some that are much less expensive at both links. Another question (if you don't mind): Do you find that your kids use them very often? Do they actually make the patterns with them as Montessori manuals describe? Do you think it has helped them develope fine motor coordination to prepare them for writing?
Thanks!
Becky

Katie
Forum Pro

Joined: March 11 2005
Location: Suriname
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 271

Posted: May 24 2006 at 11:10am \| IP Logged

Becky Parker wrote:

Becky,

I'm not Mare, but yes, yes, and yes! And my ds(8) still takes them down and makes cool geometric patterns and drawings with them. I try and keep a basket of square papers next to the insets on the shelf, and I've been using this work a lot with my dd 4 in preparation for K next year and handwriting. It really helped the fine motor skills of dd6, too.

__________________
Mother of 5 in South America. No 6 due in April.

Mare
Forum Pro

Joined: Feb 08 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 357

Posted: May 24 2006 at 2:32pm \| IP Logged

Yes, I think they are valuable!

My dds have traced the various shapes on square paper as Katie described. They've also colored the shapes in and cut the shapes out. They also like to staple the shapes together to make a shape book.

HTH,

__________________

If you wish to post a reply to this topic you must first login
If you are not already registered you must first register

[Add this topic to My Favorites]

Printable version

Forum Jump

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

Hosting and Support provided by theNetSmith.com