If you’ve seen these Three Part Card sets, but aren’t sure how to use them with your kiddos, we’re here to help!

Three Part Cards are a resource that Montessori schools use to encourage language development. They are also called Nomenclature or Montessori classified cards.  We've used our Garden Three Part Cards here to show some examples.

Each individual card set includes three parts:

These cards are versatile and can help to keep kids engaged and enjoying their time learning. They are typically used by a student and parent (or teacher) together.  

Three matching activities for Three Part Cards:

1. Match Picture Cards to Control Cards (for non-readers)

Lay out all the Control Cards in a grid on a smooth surface. Choose only 2-3 for younger preschoolers or toddlers, add more as they begin to master the objects.

Have your child match each Picture Card to the corresponding Control Card by putting the Picture Card beside or on top of the Control Card.

Continue until all the cards are matched.

2. Match the Label Cards to the Picture Cards (for readers)

Put all the Label Cards in a basket and give it to your child. Lay out all the Picture Cards on a smooth surface. To keep them engaged, use only a few cards at a time.

1. Ask your child to take one Label Card from the basket and read it out loud.
2. Have them match it to its corresponding Picture Card.
3. Give them the Control Cards to check their work. They can also use the Control Cards every time they match an object before moving on to the next one.

Continue until all the cards are matched.

This game also works well in reverse (Picture Cards to Label Cards.)

3. Match all three card parts (for readers)

Lay out all the Control Cards in a grid on a smooth surface. 

1. Have your child match each Picture Card to the corresponding Control Card by putting the Picture Card beside the Control Card.
2. Have your child match each Label Card to the corresponding Control Card by putting the Label Card below the Picture Card. 

Continue until all the cards are matched.

You can also play:

Traditional Memory Game:

Lay out all the Control Cards and Picture Cards facing down in a grid in no particular order (for younger children, try starting with a smaller amount of cards). 

1. Take turns flipping two cards at a time. 
2. If the cards match, the player keeps the cards. If they don’t match, simply flip the cards back over and let the next player take their turn.
3. Take turns until all the cards have been matched.

What’s Missing Game:

For this activity, make sure your child has already familiarized themselves with all the cards.  

Lay out 3-4 Control Cards in a horizontal line in front of your child. Ask them to read each card out loud.

1. Ask them to close their eyes. While their eyes are closed, remove one card from the line.
2. Have them open their eyes and ask them “what’s missing?” from the line of cards.
3. Add one new card to the line and repeat until you have used all the cards.

You can increase or decrease the level of difficulty by adding or removing the total number of cards in the line. If they need a hint, try providing the beginning sound or describing the object on the Picture Card.

Montessori Three Part Cards are a fun resource and available in many different topics - as with any subject, the more interested your child is in the topic, the more fun they will have! Hope you enjoy using these activities with your little ones.

Photos by @amagicalminute