Sorting and Grouping

Recently Gianna and I had the opportunity to try out something new and it was a hit! I had purchased a new sorting/grouping activity that was super fun. Using tongs (which is a great fine motor activity) we grouped our objects into different dividers based on type of fruit/color. This particular activity was convenient because it included cards that could be placed under the divider that showed how to sort and group the objects.

The ability to use these skills is really the beginning stages of math development. Matching and sorting are the processes of grouping like items together, which is important in making sense of our environment. We group things together by characteristics such as shape, size, color, texture, etc. and usually group items based on characteristics that are important to us.

In addition to distinguishing characteristics of objects, sorting helps us count, which can naturally lead to the concepts of addition and subtraction. According to the Michigan State University Extension, the process of sorting involves three steps: Children decide which characteristics to use to sort, they will physically sort the objects and lastly, they will be able to describe their rational for sorting.

Of course you don’t have to purchase an activity specifically for the purpose of sorting and grouping. We learn best by incorporating items from our everyday lives. You can also make several colors of you own play dough as a sensory activity and shape your own items to use for sorting!

For more information on sorting and grouping, visit Michigan State University Extension’s website