Your Child Will Learn
Sorting objects into two groups that have shared characteristics
Here’s What to Do
- When you are unpacking groceries (or other items from shopping bags), ask your child to help sort the items.
- Choose two categories and tell them how to sort the items. Some examples:
- Container shape: sort by cans or boxes
- Container size: sort by small boxes and big boxes
- Type of food: sort by fruit or vegetable
- Where the food goes in your home: sort by fridge or shelf
- Pick one item from each category and place it where you want your child to sort similar items. Ask them to place similar items next to the examples (for fragile items, you can move the item for your child).
- When your groceries are all sorted, show your child where each category gets put away. Celebrate when you’re done!
Put PEER Into Action
PAUSE
- Before unpacking any groceries, tell your child that you need their help with this very important job.
ENGAGE
- “Can you help me put the food that’s in boxes over here and the food that’s in cans over here?”
- “Do you know which of these are fruits and which are vegetables? Can you sort fruits in this pile and veggies in this pile?”
ENCOURAGE
- “Hmmm… those beans are in a can. Can you put the beans next to the rest of the groceries in cans?”
- “Good guess, but bananas are actually a fruit. Can you put them with the other fruits?”
REFLECT
- “What are some other ways we could sort the groceries next time?”
Not Quite Ready
Focus on one category and ask your child to find all of the items that go in that category.
Ready for More
Ask your child to sort items into three categories instead of two.
As Your Child Masters This Skill
They will correctly sort objects into two groups.
Recommendation for Doing Activity with multiple children
An older sibling can help sort, or can decide the categories the younger sibling should sort by.
Time to Complete
20 minutes
Materials Needed
Groceries or other shopping bags to unpack