FM.I.60 MATCHES IDENTICAL OBJECTS, CHOICE OF 2

This skill provides the basis of all future matching and sorting work. Your child will use this skill to learn not only about objects, but about colour, shape, size, numbers, letters and words! It is therefore well worthwhile to ensure that your child has a firm grasp of this skill before moving on.

How to Assess

Materials: 2 bowls containing 2 sets of objects, for example blue pegs in one, metal spoons in the other.

Method: Place the bowls in front of your child. Give him one object. Say ‘Put … with …’.

Give 3 tries for each object, changing from one to the other in a random pattern. Change the position of the bowls at least once during the activity.

Score plus if your child matches like objects in 2 out of 3 tries for each object.

How to Teach

You will need a variety of sets of objects. In the early stages of teaching, ensure that the objects in each set are all the same colour (such as red blocks or yellow cotton reels). As your child progresses, you can introduce sets that contain a variety colours, though of course the shape must remain the same.

When your child puts an object in the correct bowl, reinforce enthusiastically, saying ‘Good, you put … with . . .’.

When your child moves his hands towards the wrong bowl, pull the bowl out of his reach, and say ‘Look hard – … goes with …’. If he succeeds in putting the object in the wrong bowl, say something like this: ‘Oh dear. Does . . . go with …? NO. You put … with . . .’.

Vary your materials frequently during teaching, gradually introducing materials which contrast less clearly.

Playtime and Round-the-house Activities

You will find many pairs of objects around the house. Make a habit of pointing out their sameness. You could say: ‘Look, here’s a shoe and here’s a shoe. Shoe with shoe. They’re the SAME.’

Remembering and Extending

As well as continuing with this sequence, you can extend this skill by giving your child 3 different sets of objects to match, and then 4. Once he is working on the 3-year-old skills, you can give him a pile of objects to sort, as an independent activity, for example the contents of the cutlery drawer.