This game was actually created based on a reoccurring event in our car. As we drive down a particular road almost every day, we pass a large hospital. In front of the hospital in a long row is a series of American flags flying on flagpoles. There are a bunch of them…I’ve never counted them all. And flying directly behind the row of flags is one gigantic American flag, dwarfing all of the others.
My son, Rudy, has always been fascinated with the incredible number of flags flying there. And lately, he has started making a very interesting observation: “Mommy look! There are a bunch of small flags and one weally, weally big one!”
This was such a monumental phrase for me to be hearing! Rudy had distinguished between not only the sizes of the flags, but the quantity as well! (And he had verbalized it quite well!)
Why is this so monumental? Well, there are two ways that we apply numerical value to objects. We either count the objects and assign a literal number, or we look at the objects as a “pile” and give it a value such as “a lot” or “a little”.
Given this inspiration, I decided to create my own activity that mimicked the “flag scenario”. In this game, there are several different types of sorting going on at one time: by an estimated numerical value, by a specific numerical value, and by color. If this is too much for your child at first, tone it down to just one type of sorting. There is also a bit of multitasking involved.
Sorting Objects:
What You Need:
- 1. Three pieces of construction paper in different colors
- 2. A large pile of blocks, preferably all in the same color
Set-Up:
- On a low table or on the floor, set the three pieces of paper in a row with a little space in between them.
- Place all of your blocks in a container, or bowl.
How to Play:
- When you bring in your child, tell him that your going to have some fun with blocks together! (Happy, Animated, Sing-Songy, Borderline Ridiculous Voice!!)
Rudy is excited and ready to play!!
- Show him the paper on the floor and have him name the colors he sees. Then show him the blocks in the container.
- Slowly explain to him that you want him to make a little pile of blocks on the “red” paper and a big pile of blocks on the “yellow” paper. I usually change my voice to a really high pitch for the little pile and to a really low pitch for the big pile.
Making the “little pile” on the blue paper.
Making the “big pile” on the red paper…he got very literal with the “big pile”!!!
- After he completes that task, then ask him to make a pile of five blocks (or however many you want) on the “blue” paper. Repeat the game and change up the size and number of blocks in the piles.
I asked him to line up five blocks on the green paper…good job, Rudy!!
This game has many, many components and can become frustrating. Help him along as much as you need to.
I recommend a great big hug and a little treat at the end of this game! Just like a runner needs to replenish himself with water after tediously exercising his muscles, a toddler needs to be replenished with praise after tediously exercising that little brain!
Sorting The Objects has been a tremendously beneficial game for us. I can see wheels begin to turn in Rudy’s mind, as well as the ability to multitask begin to surface.
I hope that this game is as fun and beneficial for you as it has been for us!
