Montessori Screwdriver Board

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

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 use a wrench to tighten and loosen the screws. In this video, we will learn how to use a screwdriver to screw and unscrew the nuts.

What is a Montessori Screwdriver Board?

The set contains a wooden block and six bolts that screw into permanently fixed, threaded receptacles. Additionally, the board has two insets; one for the Screwdriver and one for holding the bolts once they are removed. The Screwdriver is made of a chrome-plated alloy, flattened at the tip, and a plastic covering to maintain the grip. It features both open-and-closed sockets for engaging the bolts. It helps children to learn how to use a screwdriver by removing and re-inserting wooden or machine screws using the supplied tool. 

Materials for the Screwdriver Board

  1. A small tray
  2. A board with tapped holes.
  3. 6 wood/ machine screws of the proper size for the holes.
  4. Screwdriver

Prerequisites of Screwdriver Activity

A child must be familiar with the nut and bolt activity. 

Benefits of Introducing Montessori Screwdriver 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 OCCI (Order, concentration, coordination, and Independence).
  • It strengthens a sense of order and fine motor skills.
  • It promotes bilateral coordination (both hands working together).
  • It promotes visual discrimination and problem-solving skills.
  • It builds persistence, self-satisfaction, and self-esteem.

How to Introduce the Screwdriver Activity to the Child?

In this activity, the child will learn to use a fixed key using a screwdriver.

  1. Ask the child to bring the screwdriver 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 screws and place them in the smaller container of the tray.
  4. Keep the screwdriver in the bigger container of the tray.
  5. Using your hand, slowly and clearly, insert a screw into each of the holes.
  6. As shown in the video, using the screwdriver, tighten each screw.
  7. Tell the child, this is how we tighten the wooden/machine screws.
  8. Once all screws are tight, use the screwdriver to loosen and remove each screw.
  9. Tell the child, this is how we unscrew the screws using a screwdriver.
  10. Place the tools on the board and invite the child to try the activity independently.

The turning of the wrist when using the screwdriver 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 a screwdriver to screw and unscrew the fixed screws.

Related Videos

To watch more Montessori practical life lessons, click here: 

Video created by: Alejandra Jurado

Tags

  • english language
  • Practical Life
  • primary level