As children become aware of the world around them, help them to make observations about groups of objects, and sort or classify those objects by varying sets of criteria. You'll help your child understand concepts such as bigger, longer, heavier, and to observe these qualities in the things surrounding them.

What this activity will develop:
Maths and thinking skills

What you'll need:
Some of each from the following groups of items:

• Crayons
• Coins
• Pencils
• Sticks
• Shoes
• Bowls
• Stones

Setting up:
Just group any of the above objects on a table, or find groups of objects wherever you encounter them.

What to do:
Ask the child to put things in order by length, height, total size, weight and colour. Talk about the differences and add a second criterion to the sorting - by colour and size, for instance. Once the child has mastered this, have them put unlike objects in order by size or weight.

Select more skills:
• Listening Skills
• Math Skills
• Motor Skills Help
• Science Fun
• Reading Skills
• Vocabulary Builder

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