Introduce Early Math Through Sorting

Math is not something I have been concentrating on too much with Daisy. I think it is because I am more interested in literacy and arts. However, I would rather not pass my ambivalence to all things mathematical, onto my kids. So I decided to recruit some help on my early math, learning journey. I talked to my best friend before she headed back to teach in the Middle East. She recommended working on counting, number recognition, number bonds to 10, patterns and sorting, ordering, shape and measuring over the next year. That seemed like quite the list to me.

I am an Elementary teacher but specialized in junior ages (grade 3-6). So I will be having fun researching ideas. I decided to start with sorting and see how Daisy thinks about organizing (something I love doing). She enjoys helping with laundry so I guessed she would enjoy sorting. I was right. When given a box of mixed items to sort she immediately understood where everything had to go. The basket contained:

• caterpillar parts
• Backyardigans
• crayons
• chickens out game pieces
• threadable letters
• crafting scissors

I gave her a chip and dip tray I had bought from the dollar store for a butterfly themed party.

Daisy quickly picked out the crayons and sorted them into colours then put them together in a section of the organizer. She was disturbed the purple crayon did not have a match. The other objects were quickly sorted too although she did try to sort the scissors further as there were two different sizes.

The Backyardigans were played with for a few minutes and sorted together on the chair as they didn’t fit in the organizing tray. Dasiy was again disturbed that Pablo and Tyrone were missing!

As we were outside and Rose was happy playing in the sandpit we took the opportunity to sort the clothes pegs also.

The bugs are going to a party and they all have names!

We selected one bug, a stag beetle, and hunted out blue objects that matched it. Daisy used my camera, with help, and photographed the bug beside other blue things. By her flowers:

On a Daisy painting:

Matching the pajamas:

Now that I know Daisy is able to sort, our next activity will be more directed. My organizing daughter takes after me!