No.244
Drop-in Shape Sorter
Japanese name: ぽっとん形合わせ
Materials
- A sturdy box with openings made and edges smoothed by an adult
- Durable, one-piece fabric balls or blocks too large to fit in a child’s mouth
How to play
- An adult makes large round or square openings in the box and covers their edges with tape. Choose durable, one-piece objects too large to fit in a child's mouth.
- Put the box on a stable, low surface and give each child one object. An adult first demonstrates dropping an object through an opening.
- Let the child choose an opening and try putting the object through. If it does not fit, turn it or try another opening instead of forcing it.
- Once an object is inside, open the box, take it out and try again. With two or more children, take turns dropping objects; waiting children can choose the next object.
- Finish after several attempts. Check which opening each object fitted, then count and collect the objects. An adult checks the opening edges and box for damage.
Ways to adapt
Younger preschool children: one opening. Older preschool children: two types of opening.