2nd Box of Colour Tablets

The second box of color tablets is a Montessori material that helps children refine their color discrimination and perception skills. It consists of a set of wooden or plastic tablets in a box, representing different variations of colors. Children work with the tablets independently, visually matching and arranging them according to shades or tones. It provides a more complex and challenging activity compared to the first box of color tablets, allowing children to deepen their understanding of colors. It serves as a foundation for other Montessori materials and prepares children for more advanced activities in art, design, and other areas of learning.

Following article is for training purpose only.

Colour tablets Boxes with tablets inside. The sides are usually made of wood or plastic. The middle is painted wood or plastic. The only difference between them is the colors in the middle. There are three color boxes. The first has the three primary colors (red, blue, and yellow). The second has 12 different colors. The third box has nine colors, but in different grades from light to dark.

Color Tablets

Materials
3 boxes with lids containing color tablets:

Box 1
6 tablets; a pair of each of the primary colors (red, yellow, blue). These are the most sharply contrasted colors.

Box 2
22 tablets; a pair of each of the primary colors, the secondary colors (green, orange, purple), and also pink, brown, black, white, and grey.

Box 3:
63 tablets; 7 shades of 9 colors: red, yellow, blue, green, orange, purple, brown, pink, and grey.

Presentation Box 1

Introduction
Invite the child by telling him you have something to show him. Bring him over to the correct shelves and tell him we will be using the Color Tablets. Show the child how to carry the box with your two hands on opposite sides of the box with your fingers underneath the box and your thumbs over the top. Have the child bring the correct box and have him place it near the top right corner of the table. Have the child sit to your left and then you sit down in front of the box. Take off the lid using both hands and place it directly in front of the box. Pick up the box using both hands and place it carefully onto the lid.

Constructing
- Take the red, yellow, and blue tablets (with their matching pair) out of the box with both hands and making it evident that you are aware of not touching the color part.
- Place each tablet randomly on the table next to the box.
- Pick up the box and place it behind the lid and then pick up the lid and replace in onto the box.
- Pick up one of the red tablets using your right thumb and index finger and holding the “frame” part of the tablet.
- Place it near the top of the table and isolated from the other tablets.
- Then tell the child, “ I’m looking for one just like it.”
- Choose the other red tablets and gently place it directly next to the first red tablet.
- Then pick up the yellow tablet and place it under the first red tablet.
- Ask the child, “Can you find the one just like it?”
- Match the yellow in the same way as the red.
- Place one of the blue tablets under the first yellow tablet.

Presentation Box 2

Introduction
Now that the child has had the introduction for Box 1, have him carry Box 2 over to the table and open the box as before.

Constructing
- Take the red, yellow, blue, green, orange, and purple tablets (with their matching pair) out of the box with both hands and making it evident that you are aware of not touching the color part.
- Place each tablet randomly on the table next to the box.
- Pick up the box and place it behind the lid and then pick up the lid and replace in onto the box.
- Pick up one of the red tablets using your right thumb and index finger and holding the “frame” part of the tablet.
- Place it near the top of the table and isolated from the other tablets.
- Then ask the child to place the one that looks just like it next to it.
- Have the child choose the next color and place it directly under the first red tablet. Then you find its match.
- Have the child choose a color and then match it until all of the colors have been matched. (Show the child where to place the tablets in a new column once the first column is done.)
- Have the child close his eyes and tell him you are going to mix them up.
- Mix the tablets and place them all to the left of the box.
- Have the child match just as you had done in the presentation.
- Take out the other colors and place them randomly on the table to the left of the box.
- Have the child match these colors as well.
- When the child is finished working, have him replace the tablets back into the box, as he had done with Box 1, and then replace the box back onto the shelf.

Presentation Box 3

Introduction
Now that the child has had the introduction for Box 1 and 2, have him carry Box 3 over to the table and open the box as before.

Constructing
- Take out one shade of color (so seven tablets of the same color but of different shades).
- Place each tablet randomly on the table next to the box.
- Close the box as done for the other boxes.
- Ask the child to find the two tablets that are the most different.
- Have the child place them next to each other (to see the contrast) and in isolation from the other tablets.
- Separate them but still keep them isolated from the others.
- Point to the darkest tablet (should be on the left) and tell the child that you are looking for one that is just a little different.
- Place the correct tablet directly to the right of the darkest shade.
- Point to this new tablet and ask the child, “ Can you find the one that is just a little different than this one?”
- Continue until you and the child have successfully arranged the shades in decreasing order.
- Have the child close his eyes and you mix up the tablets.
- Have the child arrange the shades in order as shown.

Exercises Box 3

Exercise 1
The child repeats the work as shown in the presentation using other graded colors until he has done all of the 9 shades.

Exercise 2
The child takes out one set of colors to grade and you choose another set of contrasting color. Have the child grade them both. Mix up the tablets and repeat. Continue until the child has graded every two combinations possible.

Exercise 3
Place two mats next to each other. Place the disk in the center. Take the darkest of each color and place it horizontally around the disk. Grade each color outwards to create a “Star Burst”.

Games

Language
Names of the colors (given after the child can pair box 2 without hesitation).
After the child can grade Box 3: dark and light and later the comparatives (darker and lighter) and the superlatives (darkest and lightest).

Purpose

Direct
To provide the child with a key to orient himself in the world of color.

Control of Error
The child’s ability to discriminate color.

Age
3 – 3 1/2 years for Box 1 and Box 2
3 1/2 – 4 1/2 year for Box 3