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Mommy & Me: Sorting Activities with Muffin Tins

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Muffin Tin Sorting

We love to sort! One of our favorite ways to sort objects is to use a muffin tin. By using a muffin tin, there is a natural place for Jonah to put the objects, the sorted piles are easily distinguished, and it keeps the sorted pile from being mixed up. Plus, it's something we already have in our cabinet--SCORE!

When starting with sorting, the easiest attribute to start with is color. Next, I would move to shape. After that, I would move to size. As your preschooler masters this concept, you can move to different attributes to sort...the sky's the limit!

Sorting objects can be found everywhere! Craft pom-poms, foam objects, old keys, dyed pasta, large buttons...just to name a few!

We love to sort foam objects! I have some really fun foam shapes from my teaching days that I purchased at Oriental Trading (linked to my object search to help you find the right objects.) The foam shapes we currently have....

Foam Sorting Shapes

Here's a tip: Some of the foam beads come with a large number (500 pieces)--more than you will probably need. Get with a group of friends, buy several sets, and split them up.  This is how I did it.

For easy sorting objects storage: Use clear VHS tape boxes! (You can purchase these or use some old ones lying around your house)

Here are a few of my favorite foam bead sets available at Amazon (You are using Swagbucks to earn free Amazon gift cards, right?)....

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tiffany

Friday 12th of November 2010

Those foam shapes are really cute! I love the idea of going in with a few other people to buy different kinds!

Faith

Tuesday 9th of November 2010

Isaiah loved sorting things! He also loved patterning- still does!

Sara

Wednesday 10th of November 2010

Thanks for stopping by Faith! I've been thinking of you a bunch this week! I'll have to email you separately later.

Dawn

Monday 8th of November 2010

great idea! i have some pom poms-i'll have to try this with my son

Donna S

Monday 8th of November 2010

I love this idea - We play with dry beans a lot but this looks even better! I've thought about buying different colorful pasta too. My kids (2 and 4) will sort for over an hour, It's always lots of fun!

Sara

Monday 8th of November 2010

No need to buy colored pasta! You can dye it! Check out my Easy Pasta Dying tutorial here: https://happybrownhouse.com/2009/08/05/pastaits-to-dye-for/

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Monday 8th of November 2010

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