Sorting

The children have been exploring the mathematical concepts of sorting and classifying concrete objects and describing the rules they used to do so. 

The most popular materials for sorting is our diverse button collection. The children have been sorting buttons by colour, shape, size and the number of holes they possess. 

Here, tiles are sorted by colour.

Sorting circles can add challenge and offer more complex ways of sorting materials. Here, a child has sorted leaves by colour. The yellow and red leaves have been separated and leaves that are both red and yellow are placed in the overlapping section in the centre.

Sorting tiles by shape and colour is also becoming popular with the children.

At home: Sorting and classifying comes naturally to many children. Work with your child to sort objects around the home (e.g. socks and other types of clothing when you are doing the laundry, their toys when they are tidying up) and have them explain their thinking by describing how they have sorted the objects.