Sorting and classifying activities for kids

When sorting objects, a child must decide which characteristic or attribute is the determining factor when dividing objects into groups. Attributes often deal with the size, shape, color, or texture of the items being sorted. Once a single attribute or characteristic is chosen, the child must analyze each object to decide where it belongs.

It is also important for a child to be able to name the attribute or characteristic that determines the groups. Putting labels on each group requires a child to clearly explain his reasoning and express his thinking.

To begin, give your child a collection of items with a difference in one key attribute. For example, you may give your child a bowl of two different cereals that have different shape but different colors (like Frosted Flakes and Corn Flakes) and direct him to sort them according to the color. You may wish to demonstrate this activity so that your child can use visual cues along with your oral directions. After sorting several pieces, hold up a piece of cereal and ask your child which group that piece belongs in and encourage him to sort it.

While sorting is a natural activity for adults, it can be challenging for young children. Continue to present objects with clearly defined characteristics that can be sorted into just two groups when your child is first practicing this skill. For instance, give your child toy figures and toy vehicles to sort into two distinct groups. Or ask him to sort board books and paperback books into two groups. Look around your house - I'm sure you will come up with even more great sorting ideas!

As your child's comfort with sorting and classifying grows, present an assortment of items that can be divided into three groups based on an obvious attribute. Colored blocks, colored beads, or three different types of coins work very well for this activity.

Finally, present items that have more than one attribute in common so that your child will have to make a decision about which characteristic to use as the guide. For instance, you may have a group of beads in two different sizes and two different shapes. Your child will need to make a decision about whether he wants to sort by size or by shape by sorting the group of beads. And of course, he will have to explain to you how he made his sorting decisions.

In addition to the sorting and classifying worksheets, there are a variety of everyday items that lend themselves to sorting activities. Candy pieces of various colors, buttons, beans, or multi-sized and colored paper clips are some easy to find items that can be sorted and described. Teacher supply stores also carry items specifically designed for sorting.

There are opportunities for your child to practice sorting all around. Perhaps your child can help sort groceries after a shopping trip, putting boxes on one shelf and cans on another. You might get some help on laundry day by asking your child to sort his socks, underwear, and shirts into separate piles before you put them away. Or your child might enjoy sorting his art supplies - colored pencils in one pile, markers in another and crayons in a third. The opportunities for sorting activities are endless!

Check out these great Kindergarten worksheets:
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And check out these kindergarten math worksheets:
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