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What do young children learn when they collect and sort?

• They learn about same and different.
• They learn how to recognize attributes (characteristics).
• They learn to sort collections according to attributes.

The goal of this What’s the BIG Idea? kit:

To read about and use a collection of similar objects to develop comparison and sorting skills.

Download a PDF of a free sample activity

Children’s interest in science and math is often sparked when they make a collection and learn the fundamentals of organization. This can start with sorting investigations such as organizing their books or toys according to well-defined attributes. A collection kit (numerous like objects) can refine children’s skills in identifying same and different attributes because the number of sorting attributes in like objects is less. Equally important are the observations and discussion going on in the process of establishing attributes for a collection.

Collecting and sorting are important skills to practice with many kinds of objects. Sorting a collection such as the Mother Goose Programs Button Collection™ develops observation skills and the language of comparison and descriptive characteristics. These skills are transferable to many types of materials and experiences in math and science.

Collecting gives children a chance to choose and bring together a number of objects based on common attributes. Sorting gives them practice at discriminating among objects and their attributes to include or exclude those that don’t fit the criteria. This furthers the skills they practice in recognizing same and different.

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