Measuring and Sorting

Sizes, Shapes & Colours

An extended activity of counting games involves measuring and sorting. This style of game helps children to comprehend differences in size, shape, material and texture. It can further enhance their comprehension of numbers by working with written figures on rulers and other measuring tools. These are the first real steps that your child will take in mathematical understanding but is learned in an enjoyable, playing environment. (As opposed to how many of us parents remember maths in our school days!)

Estimating
This game gives a good basis for early mathematics and gets them thinking while playing.
Use items like- building blocks, cups and jugs, sand, water, marbles, a kitchen timer.
Ask questions of your child getting them to estimate-
How many cups of sand will it take to fill the jug?
How high can they build a tower from blocks before it falls down?
How many marbles to fill the cup?
How many minutes will it take on the timer for you to tidy your room, complete a puzzle, or put away your toys?
After they have completed the challenge you can compare to see how close their estimation was.

Measuring
Kids love seeing that they have grown. Most of us have a wall chart for tracking their growth but another way to encourage them to work with numbers is to get them to measure other household objects. You can give them a ruler, small tape measure and a dressmaker's tape. Ask them to measure the length of their teddy bears, a pencil, a leaf whatever objects they can find.
This activity helps them to better understand what numbers mean- that seven is a lot more than two but is only a little more than six

Sorting
Another good game for shapes and sizes uses buttons, play farm animals or even toy cars . If you don't have an assortment at home, pick some up at a flea market or second hand store. Use an egg carton and ask your child to sort them. They can use their own criteria- size, colour, material...and so on.

Tea Party
By having your child set up a tea party for their teddies and toys they get valuable practice at sorting. Make sure each teddy gets one of each utensil and a plate and cup. Before you know it your child will be wanting to set the table for the whole family!