Material Name: Rough and Smooth Boards – Montessori Rough and Smooth Boards
Curriculum Area: Sensorial (Tactile Sense)
Purpose & Developmental Benefits
The Rough and Smooth Boards help children discriminate between rough and smooth surfaces through tactile exploration. Children slowly move their fingertips across the surfaces to feel, compare, and name the sensations. This work refines the tactile sense, strengthens concentration, and supports the development of descriptive sensory language.
Skills Developed
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Tactile discrimination of rough and smooth surfaces, including varying degrees of roughness and smoothness
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Practice of light, controlled finger movements using two to three fingers (developing pressure control)
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Development of concentration, orderly work habits, and self-correction
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Expansion of descriptive language: rough, smooth, rougher, smoother
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Direct preparation for pre-writing and writing through refined tactile awareness and appropriate hand pressure
Recommended Age
Material & Construction
The standard set (e.g. Nienhuis) consists of three wooden boards with fixed textured surfaces:
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Board 1: One half rough, one half smooth wood (clear contrast)
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Board 2: Alternating strips of rough and smooth surfaces (continuous tactile tracing)
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Board 3: Five rough strips arranged in gradation from smooth to very rough
The wooden surfaces and sandpaper are carefully calibrated to allow the child to recognize differences independently through comparison and sequencing.
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Made of natural wood with rounded edges for safety
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Durable, child-safe rough and smooth materials securely attached to the boards
Classroom & Home Use
Used in the Sensorial (Tactile Sense) area on a mat or table. Children trace the surfaces slowly with the index and middle fingers, using gentle, even pressure. Once familiar, the work may be done with eyes closed or using a blindfold to isolate the tactile sense.
After the main lesson, children are often invited to search for rough and smooth objects in the environment to extend the experience. At home, present one board at a time in a quiet, well-lit space.
