Uppercase Letter Magnetic Tracing

A fun way to encourage fine motor control, pincer grip and uppercase letter recognition!

When Dr Maria Montessori was first selecting the materials that would become an integral part of her methodology she performed a simple yet ingenious experiment. She placed an array of objects, tools, toys and materials on the shelves and then...she watched. The items that were consistently and frequently chosen and used by the children were those that she deemed worthy of remaining part of every 'Montessori classroom'. I can't help but think that if Dr Montessori had placed these magnetic tracing boards on her shelves we would now see these in every Montessori classroom! Certainly in my own Montessori classroom they are infinitely popular - I put them on the shelves each morning but they don't spend much time there; they spend most of the day in the hands of eager children! 

The set of magnetic tracing boards help to promote fine motor control and hand-eye coordination. The magnetic pen provides an ideal opportunity for a child to refine the 'pincer grip' in a fun way that doesn't feel at all daunting. The printed letters provide a chance to reinforce visual recognition of the alphabet. Since the board can be written and reset countless times this board also offers endless opportunities for repetition to help encourage concentration.

I particularly appreciate the sensory experience that occurs after the 'writing' is finished. At this point the little magnetic balls essentially create a bumpy, textured pathway around each letter and to play the game again the child must reset the board by pushing these back down. As the child runs a finger along each letter the sensory experience is quite similar to what the child experiences when using the Montessori Textured Letters. The Textured Letters are intended to promote both a visual recognition and 'muscular-memory' and the same could certainly be said for the magnetic tracing boards.