The Black Outlines

Teen Board Box with a black outlined lid

We have found that all of the boxes containing Montessori materials have black outlines.  I find it very interesting and assume that it is for tracing the box before presentation, giving the child a visual parameter of the shape and size of the box.  I remember when Sr. Anita told us the secret behind using mats in the classroom.  It is to give the child a visual sense of his work area and research has proved that the young child does not have the ability to use peripheral vision until much later.  I doubt if any manufacturers still make these boxes with black outlines.