Children use a Montessori bolt block as a material to develop the hand and finger muscles. Strong hand and finger muscles are the first step to develop good pincer grip. In addition, the action of connecting the nut with the bolt is effective in developing hand-eye coordination. This Montessori bolt block hex nut is the first step in difficulty in learning these skills.

About the Exotic Wood

This unique, high quality Montessori Bolt Block is handcrafted from Chechen wood with a maple base. Chechen comes from Central America and the Caribbean. It is also known as Caribbean Rosewood. Woodworkers typically use this wood for fine furniture making, cabinetry, musical instruments and even beautiful jewelry boxes. It is an extremely hard and dense wood with a very fine texture. Once varnished it has a very polished and shiny appearance. This bolt block is varnished with non toxic water based finishes. It is also available as a set of 3.

Montessori Bolt Block Step 1 – Hex Nut
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3cb8Lp-8jM

Practical Life Activity

Children use bolt blocks for a Montessori Practical Life activity typically in the 3-6 year old classroom. This material is used to develop and strengthen hand and finger muscles of the pincer grip. It is one of the many examples of how the design of Montessori materials indirectly prepare for a future skill – in this case for holding a pencil. In addition, the practical life aspect helps a child to learn how to thread, tighten and loosen a bolt and nut!

This bolt block material is an excellent addition to any preschool or homeschool classroom. It is both intriguing to children and develops concentration.

Children find the chunky hex nut easy to grip and pick up. However, the initial challenge is to make contact with the nut to the bolt, through hand-eye coordination. From this point the child develops finger dexterity and pincer grip by learning the action of threading the nut on to the bolt.

The Montessori bolt block hex nut is considered easy in difficulty, or Number 1 in the set of 3.

Features:

• 1/2″ Bolt and corresponding Nut with an oversized Washer
• Base is approximately 2-3/8″ square (6cm) and 1″ thick (1cm) allowing it to be comfortably held in the hand

Included:

One Bolt Block

One Nut

One Washer