Montessori Plastic Head Thumb Screw Board

This practical life activity is designed for children between the age of 3 and 6 to guide them on how to screw and unscrew a plastic head thumb screw. 

Learning to use the fixed key is an exercise that teaches the child the correct way to do some household chores. Additionally, it helps to stimulate a child’s imagination through the activity of assembling, disassembling, and building.

In our previous video lesson, we learned how to tighten and loosen the plastic head thumb screws. In this video, we will learn how to tighten and loosen plastic head screws.

What are Plastic Head Thumb Screws?

Plastic head thumb screws are made up of a stainless steel or alloy steel body with a nylon/plastic head that is either fully or partially threaded. ​Plastic thumb screws generally come with different head styles such as hex, round, etc. that have a textured or knurled surface for easy gripping. These screws can be fastened and loosened up by using a hand without any tools.

Montessori Plastic Head Thumb Screw Board

The set contains a wooden block and six bolts that screw into permanently fixed, threaded receptacles. Additionally, the board has two insets; one to keep the fixed key and one for holding the bolts once they are removed. The plastic head thumb screw is a screw with a flat hex-shaped plastic head to tighten and fasten the screw using the hands. It helps children to learn how to use plastic head screws by removing and re-inserting them into fixed bolts.

Materials in the Plastic Head Thumb Screws Board

  1. A small tray
  2. A board with tapped holes.
  3. 6 plastic head thumb screws of the proper size for the holes.

Prerequisites of Plastic Head Thumb Screws Activity

A child must be familiar with the nut and bolt activity

Benefits of Montessori Plastic Head Thumb Screws Activity

  • It promotes hands-on learning of basic skills required to do daily household chores.
  • It strengthens the muscles of the wrist and fingers.
  • It develops order and concentration.
  • It develops coordination and independence.
  • It promotes bilateral coordination (both hands working together).
  • It promotes visual discrimination and problem-solving skills.

How to Introduce the Plastic Head Thumb Screws Activity to the Child?

In this activity, the child will learn to use plastic head thumb screws.

  1. Ask the child to bring the plastic head thumb screws activity tray to the table.
  2. Familiarize the child with all objects that are on the tray. This also helps to develop the vocabulary of the child.
  3. Unscrew all the plastic head thumb screws and place them in the smaller container of the tray.
  4. Using your hand, slowly and clearly, insert a plastic head thumb screw into a hole.
  5. As shown in the video, tighten each plastic head thumb screw using your hands.
  6. Tell the child this is how we tighten the plastic head thumb screws.
  7. Repeat steps 4-6 until closing all the screws.
  8. Once all screws are tight, loosen up each screw using your hands and place them again in the tray.
  9. Tell the child this is how we unscrew the plastic head thumb screws.
  10. Place the tools on the board and invite the child to try the activity independently.

The turning of the wrist when using the plastic head thumb screws is of particular note: there are many fine motor skill activities, but few require the wrist to be used like this.

Watch the video to show the child how to use plastic head thumb screws.


Related Videos

To watch more Montessori practical life lessons, click here

Video created by: Alejandra Jurado


Tags

  • English
  • Practical Life
  • primary level