Montessori Metal Insets Presentation Square Shape

Exploring a SQUARE SHAPE with Montessori Geometric Metal Insets, which are Steps Towards Literacy Language Lesson, by preparing the hand for writing.

Montessori Geometric Metal Insets are a foundational part of Montessori language works, seamlessly blending artistic expression with essential pre-writing skills. Designed to prepare children for future handwriting, this material invites them to explore specific shapes through hands-on, creative activities. The child traces both the metal frame and the inset, mastering precision while fostering fine motor control.

Crafted from sturdy metal, these insets are intentionally weighted for easy handling, making them ideal for young learners. Each set includes a frame and its corresponding geometric inset, providing opportunities to trace both the negative and positive spaces. Using different colored pencils, children transform their tracings into vibrant patterns, sparking creative expression while refining their pencil grip. This dual purpose—artistic and preparatory—makes the Montessori method uniquely effective, bridging the gap between practical life and academic readiness.

With every traced curve or line, children are building the foundational skills for writing. From holding a pencil to understanding the fluidity of shapes, the Montessori Geometric Metal Insets empower children to approach language arts and mathematical understanding with confidence and creativity. It’s more than tracing—it’s preparation for a lifetime of learning.

In the Heart of Montessori Education

In the heart of every Montessori classroom, you’ll find a simple yet transformative tool—the metal insets. These beautiful materials, framed with precision, introduce children to the world of different shapes and geometric shapes. Picture this: a child selects a pink frame, carefully traces its specific shape onto a piece of inset paper, and then fills it with vibrant patterns using different coloured pencils. This isn’t just art; it’s a deliberate step toward mastering pencil control and building the fine motor control required for future writing. By engaging with curved-line shapes and straight side figures, children are experiencing practical life skills that prepare them for language arts and even mathematical understanding.

Dr Maria Montessori’s Vision for Metal Insets

Dr. Maria Montessori envisioned the metal inset materials as part of a child’s journey into creative expression and independence. With their blue and pink contrasting color and elegant design, the metal frames rest on wooden stands or sloping stands, allowing for easy handling. As little hands grasp a pencil holder, they develop a pincer grip that will later guide their ability to write letters of the alphabet with confidence. Adding a second colored pencil encourages blending and experimentation, enriching the child’s understanding of patterns and textures. The control of error in the process—the precision required to align the pencil within the frame—helps children self-correct while fostering focus and persistence.

Montessori Metal Insets | What to Purchase

We are using these metal insets (which come on two stands, a total of ten insets).  Alternatively, you can purchase the entire Geometric Cabinet with 35 insets. There are also wooden insets, but they lack weight substance for the purposes of preparing a hand for writing.

For the presentation, I use a regular wooden tray with handles, which is economical and serves the purpose. However, this Inset Tracing tray is designed specifically to hold Montessori metal insets and three pencils. 

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What Shapes are Included in the Montessori Metal Insets Set

Metal insets set has the following ten (10) shapes: a circle, a square, a triangle, a rectangle, a trapezoid (has four sides), a pentagon (has five sizes), an ellipse (has two points of symmetry), an oval (egg-shaped), a quatrefoil (like a flower), and a curvilinear triangle (curved triangle).

Paper Size and Pencils

You will also need a paper about 5.5” x 5.5″ size and colored pencils. Adrian loves Giotto Mega pencils made by Lyra, a German company since pencils have a thick, comfortable, grooved core and are extremely vibrant.

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Montessori Language Course

Inside the Montessori Language Course, you will find a library of easy to set up hands-on activities in the form of video tutorials, eBooks, instructional PDFs and more! Plus, you get lifetime access so you can go at your own pace. When you schedule it, you make it real! And remember, you have lifetime access! You’re never behind, you’re right where you need to be, sweet friend.

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Montessori Language Curriculum Steps Towards Literacy

Step 1: Building vocabulary using a Three Period Lesson (see here), or during formal or informal conversations, stories, and reading.

Step 2: Identifying sounds during Sound Games or I spy Game. (See our Letter Series post here.)

Step 3: Learning letters with sand-paper letters. (Also, in our Letter Series post here.)

Step 4: Is to prepare the child’s eyes to recognize letters, which is accomplished by recognizing geometry shapes, such as matching shapes’ frames and inserts. As such, an eye will train to distinguish an oval vs. ellipse, or a letter “n” vs. “m”.

Step 5: Is to prepare the child’s hand to write, draw letters and shapes, which is again accomplished with the use of geometry insets. Initially, you would simply ask your child to trace with second and third fingers around the outline of the shape (its frame) so that the hand does not lose contact with the frame, meaning applying just the right amount of pressure. Such practice prepares the hand for writing letters.

For steps (4) and (5) you need a traditional Montessori material – Metal Insets. 

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The Purpose of Montessori Metal Insets

The purpose of the metal insets is more than meets the eye. These sensorial materials bridge the gap between sensorial activities and direct preparation for writing, nurturing the skills needed in a thriving school environment. By using the Montessori method, children discover not only the joy of creating art but also the foundations of Montessori learning that empower them to approach challenges with curiosity and confidence. Whether tracing a curved-line shape or a straight side figure, each stroke on the piece of paper is a step toward independence and mastery.

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Montessori Metal Insets Instructions

When tracing the inset, a child should start tracing at the bottom left-hand corner of the shape (if the right is a dominant hand). Trace clockwise around the shape and meet up to the starting point at the bottom left-hand corner. (A child might have to pop up his/her left wrist slightly in order to see the starting point. )

Make sure that the child does NOT stop the tracing process until he/she has completed the shape. There should be a smooth transition around the entire shape. When coloring the shape within the frame, a child should use small strokes that move from top to bottom, left to right side. Remind the child NOT to lift the pencil up off the paper until the pencil is at the very right of the shape, and definitely, not to change the positioning of the stroke itself.

Purchase Montessori Metal Insets ~ shop here.

Montessori Metal Insets Presentation

First, a child would trace the frame first, holding it firmly with a non-dominant hand while tracing continuously with a dominant hand using one of the colored pencils. Once finished, a child would put the frame to the side. Secondly, when choosing a different colored pencil, a child would pick up the inset (the inside) and superimpose it on top of the shape just drawn. While holding the inset firmly with a non-dominant hand, a child would trace over the insert continuously using a dominant hand. A child will end up with a “double line”. Lastly, a child may use yet another colored pencil to fill the insert with a particular pattern. 

Montessori Geometric Metal Insets | SQUARE

STEP 1: Tracing the FRAME

First, a child would trace the frame first, holding it firmly with a non-dominant hand, while tracing continuously with a dominant hand using one of the colored pencils. Once finished, a child would put the frame to the side.

In practicing Montessori Geometric Metal Insets such as a SQUARE, a child acquires proficiency in using a writing instrument, including lightness of touch, evenness of pressure, continuity of line, and familiarity with the curves and angles found in letters.

STEP 2: Tracing over the superimposed INSET

Secondly, choosing a different colored pencil, a child would pick up the inset (the inside) and superimpose it on top of the shape just drawn. While holding the inset firmly with a non-dominant hand, a child would trace over the insert continuously using a dominant hand. A child will end up with a “double line”.

As you can see, the second step is much harder. Adrain (at 37 months), had difficulties tracing around corners, and keeping the pencil flash to the paper. However, practicing using metal insets will strengthen his three-finger grip, while coordinating the necessary wrist movements.

STEP 3: Coloring the SHAPE

Lastly, a child may use yet another color pencil to fill the insert with a particular pattern.

As a last step, a child would color INSIDE the inset. There are various techniques and patterns a child can explore. When coloring the shape within the frame, a child should use small strokes that move top to bottom, left to the right side.

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Montessori Geometric Metal Insets | SQUARE

The main purpose of using metal insets is to prepare a child for writing. When a child traces the inset, s/he is replicating every movement the hand will make when writing the alphabet letters. Thus, the child is practicing making all the shapes s/he will be making while writing the alphabet, and at the same time, s/he is building hand strength and fine motor skills. As a result, a child gets a lot of practice holding a pencil, tracing, repeating patterns, and most importantly, s/he is having fun in a process of discovery since there are a lot choices involved with which shape and color pencil to use, while the child gets to create something beautiful.

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GEOMETRY PLANE

Besides being foundational Montessori Language materials, geometrical insets also introduce a child to a GEOMETRY plane, encouraging a child to recognize the representation of shapes leading to an abstract conception of form.

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Montessori Geometric Metal Insets | SQUARE

To solidify the geometric representation of a square (or a cube in 3D), Adrian gathered objects around the house that were squares (or cuboids), and we discussed that a square is a polygon with four equal sides and angles. 

We then measured each side, to substantiate our conclusion that all sides of a square are equal length.

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FOR MORE MONTESSORI METAL INSETS

Tracing a Circle – Presentation # 1 (read HERE).

Exploring a Triangle – Presentation # 1 (read HERE).

Have you worked with Montessori metal insets? Leave a comment!

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