During their second year, children start to understand that the world contains many patterns, both natural (e.g. day and night follow each other) and man-made (e.g. tiles on a floor, stripes on a blanket). This skill continues to blossom so that during their third year, children are able to classify different things into groups. They are also able to match objects with similar features. You child may put all his blue blocks in one pile and the red ones in another pile. He may compare the color of the marker he’s using to the one that you have, or he may easily complete a matching puzzle. If you ask him to help put away silverware, he’ll be able to match the forks with forks and spoons with spoons. Encourage this early math skill with different matching and sorting games and household tasks, such as sorting his socks or putting different types of toys in different bins.

(Playful Bee is launching our new DIY Preschool from Birth program! Click here to enroll.)

Matching and Sorting Play Tips:

How can you support your child’s development of this Exploring Patterns skill at this age? It’s as easy as 1-2-3.

1. Chore time can be matching time! There are actually a number of chores you do every day that make for great matching and sorting practice. Ask your child to help with sorting socks or lining up pairs of shoes.
2. Make your own matching game. Create your own matching game out of family pictures. Print and cut out two of the same pictures of different family members onto card stock. If you can, laminate the cards to help them last longer. Show your child how to look for matching pictures. You can also do this with any topic your child is interested in, such as flowers, dog breeds, or construction vehicles.
3. Make a color matching game. To make your own color matching game, start by collecting two of an assortment of paint samples from the hardware store. Mix up the cards, and let your child hunt for the colors that match, placing each in its own pile. For a different challenge, collect cards that show the same color from light to dark. Cut out each color, and show your child how to order each color from lightest to darkest.

(Playful Bee is launching our new DIY Preschool from Birth program! Click here to enroll.)

Developmental Milestones:

Has your baby achieved the following Exploring Patterns developmental milestones yet? If yes, check off all the skill(s) she has already mastered to date using Playful Bee’s developmental milestones tracker. It’s absolutely FREE and easy to use, just click HERE!

• Understands the idea of “same” and “different.”
• Understands the idea of counting and knows a few numbers.
• Shows interest in matching and sorting.

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Playful Bee

Education Team at Playful Bee

Playful Bee is an e-Preschool that delivers inquiry-based preschool learning from the classroom to your home. Our preschool curriculum was created by our talented team of rock star teachers. With years of hands-on preschool and Kindergarten teaching experience, they've developed a high-quality preschool experience that is convenient-to-use and easy-to-teach by you, grandparents, or your nanny at home.

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