FM.J.111 SORTS 2 SIZES

In the first sorting activity of this sequence, the child is asked to sort objects into just 2 groups – ‘big’ and ‘little’.

All kinds of materials can be used – big and little spoons, plugs, circles, dolls – anything that you can collect in 2 distinct sizes.

How to Assess

Materials: A set of 8 objects of the same shape, but of 2 distinct sizes. Two dishes.

Method: Put the dishes on the table, with the objects in a pile to one side. Say: ‘Look, I’ve got big ones and little ones. I’m going to put all the big ones together and all the little ones together.’ Do so. Then say ‘You put the big ones together and the little ones together’. Move a short distance away, giving no more help than an occasional encouraging word or smile.

Score plus if your child correctly sorts all 8 objects.

How to Teach

It is important that your child knows that you will come back to admire what he has done when he has finished.

Start by sorting the first few objects with your child and then saying ‘You finish these while I go and do such-and-such’.

Return promptly and praise him if he has finished the task. If he has not finished, repeat your directions more precisely – ‘Put big with big and little with little’. Move away again. If he still has not completed the activity, finish it with him, and start again from the beginning, leaving him to finish the last few items.

Gradually build up the number of objects you require him to sort by himself, and make your verbal reminders more general, saying ‘Do some more’ or ‘Have you finished yet?’

Encourage him to call you when he has finished, or if he is not talking, to raise his hand.

Keep extending your child until he can put all the cards in position with no more than an encouraging word or smile, and can signal to you that it is time for you to look.

Playtime and Round-the-house Activities

See the notes under this heading in FM.I.107 (sorting picture cards). Use a variety of materials to help your child maintain interest.

Remembering and Extending

You can make this activity more challenging by making the objects closer in size, introducing a ‘middle size’ category as well as ‘big’ and ‘little’, and asking your child to sort into piles, rather than dishes. This way your child has no clues about the number of groups he should identify.