Bag and Boxes Category Sorting
Material
- a mat
- a bag in which are kept the objects. These are assorted and can be some large cubes, some small cubes, bricks, large buttons, pyramids.
- Two boxes: 1) In the first are kept several pairs of small buttons and beads whose shape is clearly defined, 2) in the second box are different kinds of beads which are not so easily distinguished.
- Several little dishes into which to put these items when sorting and classifying, hence as many as needed based on the number of the types of objects being sorted.
Direct aim
Recognition of objects through feeling.
Control of error
Visual.
Age of interest
2½ to 3½ years.
Presentation
- Show the bag to the child with the different objects. Show him how to feel them and then sort them out on the mat according to shape; he may do this with his eyes shut, or blindfolded.
- Later, introduce the first and second box, showing how to put the objects he has sorted into the little basins.
Exercises
Additional Material
- A pair of ‘blindfold goggles’ (a pair of sunglasses with material pasted over lenses),
- The child repeats the first exercise by sorting the little objects. He puts his hand in the bag and grasps one; he has to guess by touch to which group it belongs. He does this exercise blindfolded.
- Then he takes the next box and sorts its contents into the different dishes, according to their shape.
- He does the same with the objects in the second box.
Mystery Bag Identification
Material
- A cloth bag with a drawstring top containing various familiar objects (cork,thimble,pine cone,etc.)
Direct Aim
Recognition of objects through feeling.
Control of Error
Visual.
Age of interest
2½-4 years.
Presentation
The child puts his hand into the bag, feels an object and names it before withdrawing it from the bag to discover if he is correct.