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Unique, Original and Handmade Puzzles

This unique Montessori Mushroom nomenclature puzzle is created from original drawings and designs by Puzzle Heads Educational Products. Students in Montessori schools learn about the things around them through nomenclature studies. Nomenclature is a way of naming the “parts of” something. Therefore, Montessori puzzles are usually cut into the various shapes and parts of the object to aid in this aspect of learning.

These learning features are equally valuable in any educational environment, from preschools to homeschools and everything in between. Children love to learn the real words for things and are quite comfortable using them in everyday language. Don’t be surprised if your child wants to check out the gills on the mushroom on your next hike, or examine whether it has any scales or not.

How are the Puzzles Made

As with all Puzzle Heads Originals products, each one begins as hand drawn artwork created in our studios. Once each image is perfected, it ultimately becomes a digital illustration in the computer and is printed on the wooden panels. Then, each and every puzzle is cut by hand and each piece carefully sanded to silky smoothness.

The puzzles are constructed from solid Baltic Birch plywood, not pressboard or Masonite. As a result, they will never get rounded corners or “fraying” on the edges. You are purchasing an heirloom quality product that withstands rugged classroom use and will last through many hand-me downs at home. Check out the matching digital download which contains mushroom nomenclature cards with English and Latin part names, control charts and colouring booklets.

The Pincer Grip

The knobs used on wooden puzzles are important features that are designed to encourage the development of the pincer grip. The pincer grip is the action of grasping an object with the thumb and first finger. Babies begin developing this skill between 6-12 months of age. When you think about it, it takes an amazing amount of hand eye coordination, concentration, precise movements and muscle strength to succeed in picking up and manipulating a small object.

Dr. Maria Montessori recognized the need to encourage the development of this skill and designed many  activities and materials for the classroom with this in mind. The pincer grip is the foundation of so many actions that will come as babies and toddlers grow. You may still be perfecting your pincer grip through your adult life if you being learning a new skill, like painting with a fine brush or threading a needle. Young children need to perfect the pincer grip in preparation for things like holding a pencil, learning to write, buttoning, zipping and snapping. A Montessori classroom has many materials and activities to help develop this skill.

Features

• 8 knobbed pieces
• Pieces cut to match the Mushroom nomenclature cards and control charts found here in a digital bundle
• The parts of the Mushroom featured in this puzzle are:
  Cap
  Scales
  Gills
  Ring
  Stem
  Bulb
  Roots
  Spores
• Approximate Size: 9-1/4″ x 10-3/4″ (23.5cm x 27.5cm)

Recommended Age

3 years+

Preschool, Homeschool and Montessori Casa programs

Handmade in Canada.