Living Math: Sorting by Color and Patterning
Little Snail and Big Snail wanted to make some necklaces. I was excited because it has been a long time since I have made a noodle necklace. I put out a bowl of Fruit Loops and a bowl of noodles. Little Snail sorted the Fruit Loops by color into piles for her big brother. Big Snail independently created a pattern for his necklace. He has been patterning for about six months now (usually with K'Nex or Lego) and has never had "direct instruction." It is nice to see mathematical development occurring naturally, like it should.
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2 friends said...:
I found it interesting how you mentioned you had never given Big Snail direct instruction with patterning. Lately I have been concerned that my almost 20 month old has NO interest in color sorting whatsoever. Reading other blogs, I notice that most toddlers her age seem to be sorting everything. So do I try to teach her color sorting or do you think she'll just start doing it when she's interested? I've shown her how to color sort with some buttons, but she really isn't into it.
Yes. She will start doing it when she is interested and developmentally ready. If she isn't sorting by color by the time she is 5, then I would worry. You have no worries now at 20 months old.
You can, however, have her sort without "teaching" color sorting. Have her set the table, have her help do the laundry and put the socks together (or separate her clothes from your clothes), have her put dishes away, teach her to put her toys in the right spot (blocks in the block box, babies in the baby box), have her help put the groceries away, etc... By participating in everyday things, she will learn to sort by one attribute (color, shape, size).
I hope this helps and answers your question.
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