Nursery project · Nursery & school
Year Chain for the Montessori Calendar
A bead chain with twelve colours for the months and small symbols for the seasons – the basis for a Montessori year circle at nursery.
- Agematerial for practitioners, used from approx. 3 years
- Difficultymedium
- Timeapprox. 40 minutes
- Materials approx.10-14 €
What you need
-
1 pack (25 pieces) · Watercolours wooden beads 12mm in pastel shades
Watercolors Wooden Beads 12mm • 25 Pieces
1,90 € in stock · Item no. P1223 -
1 piece · Silicone snowflake motif for winter
Silicone Snowflake Charm
0,79 € in stock · Item no. S0103 -
1 piece · Rainbow charm bead for spring
Rainbow Motivation Bead Disc
1,29 € in stock · Item no. M2090
Step by step
- Assign twelve bead colours or sections to the twelve months
- Thread the beads onto a sturdy cord in month order
- Insert seasonal symbols at the right points (e.g. a snowflake in the winter section)
- Close the chain into a circle and knot it firmly
- Use it during circle time to work out the month and season together
Safety first
- Knot or glue small parts securely; for use with under-3s, supervision only
- Check the material for wear before first use and regularly afterwards
- Not suitable for free play by children under 3, only guided and firmly joined use
Variations
- Add a sun or blossom charm bead for further seasonal accents
Our tips
- The year chain stays as a fixed circle-time material in the group room and is used daily during morning circle
Frequently asked questions
How big should the finished year chain be?
A total length of about 100–150 cm suits a seated circle, depending on group size.
Is the material suitable for several children at once?
Yes, it works well for several children under a practitioner's guidance.