How Can Everyday Objects Be Used for Sorting Activities?
- frankandpaulalyn
- Jan 2
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 12
Sorting is a crucial cognitive skill that children develop in their early years. It involved identifying similarities and differences between objects, grouping them together based on their properties and organising them in a logical order. Sorting activities can be a fun and engaging way for children to learn and practise this skill.
Here are some fun ways to sort everyday objects found in the home or classroom for pre-schoolers and five - six year olds.
Heading #1: Sorting by Colour:
Children can sort objects by colour using different coloured objects such as toys, blocks, pencils or fruit.
Group objects according to a particular attribute for example, all red things, all yellow things and so on.
This activity not only helps them learn colours but also improves their visual discimination skills.
To make this activity more engaging you can use colour cards or a colour wheel and have children match objects to the corresponding card or colour on the wheel. You can also make it more challenging by adding objects with multiple colours.
Sorting by size involves identifying differences in the size of objects and grouping them accordingly. For example children can sort different-sized objects such as (small, medium and large) balls, cups or books.
To make this activity more fun you can use objects of different shapes and sizes.
Sorting objects by shape involves identifying similarities and differences in the shape of objects and grouping them appropriately.
Children can sort objects of different shapes such as squares , circles and triangles. items that could be used might be round or square coasters, plates, plastic containers or boxes.
To make this activity more interesting, you can use objects of different textures and colours such foam shapes , felt shapes or wooden blocks.
You can also create a shape collage or pattern using the sorted objects.
Children can sort objects with different textures such as soft toys, rough surfaces such as sandpaper or different textured materials such as satin (a shiny surface) and velvet (a smooth, soft surface). By identifying the similarities and differences in the texture of the objects the children can put them into groups.
Adding objects of different shapes and sizes such as sensory balls, textured blocks or soft toys can make this activity more fun.
You can also create a 'sensory bin' or make a textured collage using the sorted items. Use items that are smooth, bumpy ,rough etc.
Sorting by function involves identifying the purpose of objects and grouping them into their appropriate groups. For example , Children can sort objects that have a specific function such as art equipment or sports equipment. Using objects of different sizes and shapes such as kitchen utensils, office supplies or household items can make this activity more engaging.
You can also create a pretend play area or mini office using the sorted objects.
Sorting by Category or Sorting by Kind is putting things into groups which have shared or similar characteristics. Give Children a set of objects that belong in different categories, such as animals, vehicles and food and have them sort them into their respective categories.
This is slightly different to sorting by function. For example all the animals may go together because they are distinct from vehicles and food. (Sorting by Category). However , the animals may be farm animals, pet animals, zoo animals, wild animals etc. all of which have a different function.
In which case we would be (Sorting by Function).
Using colourful objects , providing stickers or other rewards for completing the task or making it a race against time can make these activities more engaging.
Sorting by Number involves allowing Children to identify the similarities and differences in the quantity of objects and put them into appropriate groups.
Different quantities of matchsticks or pop-sticks could be used for this activity.
Children can identify the similarities and differences in the initial letter or sound of objects and group them. For example , children can sort objects that begin with a certain letter or sound , such as items that start with the letter B or have the sound sound 'ch'.
A fun way to enhance this activity is by using objects of different textures and sizes such as magnetic letters, foam letters or picture cards.
INCIDENTAL SORTING:
Sorting that occurs incidentally can take place in the home (eg. helping sort the laundry) but the ideas below are mostly suitable for the classroom.
sort the equipment used in an art lesson before putting it away.
sort books, pencils, chalk.
sort children in the class by attributes such as shoe colour or hair colour.
sort lunch boxes by shape ,colour or size.
sort squares of material by colour . Sort again by pattern (checks, stripes, florals), texture or thickness. These groups could then be displayed, with labels, on a pinboard.
sort objects into groups using senses other than sight; hard-soft, heavy -light and sweet-sour.
Keep a variety of everyday materials on hand for individual activities, where children can have fun sorting on their own.
Children should be encouraged to sort objects into groups or sets of their own choice as well as groups or sets nominated by the teacher.
Some useful materials for individual sorting are buttons , plastic shells, nuts, beads, lids, coloured pop-sticks, coloured matches, counters etc. which allow for sorting by colour, size, shape or
texture.
IN CONCLUSION:
Sorting activities can be a fun and engaging way for children to learn and practise cognitive skills such as attention to detail, spatial reasoning and categorisation.
By providing a variety of objects and sorting criteria, children can develop their sorting skills while also having fun and exploring their environment.