• AMI approved
  • Unequalled beauty
  • Precise control of error
  • Exact isolation of one quality
  • Perfect interrelations
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Precise materials

are at the heart of a Montessori education
Shop your original Montessori products
Children feel a natural drive to develop and need to be given the opportunity to do so freely. Nienhuis Montessori’s product range enables children to discover the world independently and at a comfortable pace. In line with the Montessori vision, we develop Montessori materials which create a stimulating educational environment in which the child always maintains a central position. 

In 1975, a distribution center was opened in the United States to focus on Montessori customers in North and South America. The Association Montessori International (AMI) has officially endorsed Nienhuis Montessori for decades. We only use the best materials which have been created with great care, fervent commitment and unfailing attention to detail. It is because of our dedication to utilizing the ‘best of the best’ that Nienhuis Montessori is the world’s leading brand when it comes to Montessori materials.
the original Montessori craft

Learning is in the details

We believe that precision is the cornerstone of learning. We believe that imprecise materials cripple understanding. Children need difficulty to be isolated, otherwise they won’t learn.

We believe that a mere millimeter can make all the difference when you’re trying to discern length from width at an early age. What would happen to a mathematical proof if the equation was off by .0001?

Working with Nienhuis materials means...

  • ..a proven way of working

    The beauty of Montessori is that the principles of teaching, the philosophy and the tools have been around for over a century, yet have not changed. The philosophy developed by Maria Montessori all those years ago still works for our kids today.

  • ..individualized learning

    One of the best reasons why Montessori education works is that it’s completely individualized. As parents, you can rest easy knowing that your child is getting exactly what he or she needs, when they need it.

  • ..teaching kids the 'why'

    Montessori allows children to understand the ‘how’ and the ‘why’ by using materials. Due to the visual nature of materials used as learning tools, students can actually see a graphic representation of a division problem occur as he or she divides each place value. They also have the ability to replay the event as many times as they wish.

  • ..meaningful and fun learning

    Children continuously learn from the world around them by doing and experiencing new things. The very act of ‘doing’ makes learning more relevant and. Montessori prepares kids to be global citizens by promoting responsibility; recognizing the value of compassion for others; becoming comfortable within themselves; and embracing the value of self-motivation.

Product improvements

Did you know for example that in the past the ‘Red Rods’ used to be green?
Shop products About our vision
Also Montessori materials are subject to change
It is frequently said that Montessori materials have not changed in over a hundred years, but to be honest, they have changed. Did you know for example that in the past the ‘Red Rods’ used to be green? Or does anyone remember that the red and yellow ‘Coloured Cylinders’ were once white and orange, and that the Geometric Insets were once red and white? We also were amazed to find that even the ‘Brown Stair’ once was blue.

So Montessori materials are subject to change. In the beginning Maria Montessori, as a result of her observations, occasionally changed the materials herself. Later on the Material Committee of the AMI has initiated changes, sometimes suggested by the manufacturer. We thought it might be a good idea to bring you up to date on some of the changes Nienhuis Montessori recently made.

Our latest product developments..

  • Checker Board

    Nienhuis Montessori has always made de Checker Boards in wood. We now make the surface of the Chequer Boards out of carpet on which the colour-coded squares are digitally printed. This prevents the bead bars from sliding.

  • Stamp Game

    The tiles of the Stamp Game are now made out of acryllic glass, which makes them much more attractive and durable. It also enables us to center the number properly on the tiles, which use to be difficult with the wooden tiles.

  • Blue triangles

    Nienhuis has always made the 12 Identical Blue Triangles entirely blue. We have been made aware by the AMI Material Committee that one side has to be blue and the other white, which is required for some elementary exercises. 

Read more about product changes

Connected with Maria Montessori and AMI

In 1929 Maria Montessori herself took the initiative to create the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI). She wished to have full support of a strong and dynamic organisation that could respond to the growing interest in Montessori education worldwide. Over the years, AMI and Nienhuis have grown together and nowadays we work closely together to forge an innovative strategic partnership.

Learn more about our history