8mo–20mo10 minFree playChore timeQuiet time
Match and Sort Treasure Tray
A hands-on matching game where your child explores collections of everyday objects, practising ‘same’ and ‘match’ while you gently adds early number language in play.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a tray/towel/blanket area to spread items on
- 6–10 safe everyday items that can be matched/sorted (e.g., 2 socks, 2 lids, 2 spoons, 2 toy cars, 2 soft balls)
Nice to have
- a small bag or box (for ‘find it’ matching)
- a cloth (to cover/hide one item briefly)
Movement level: low
What you'll do
The 4-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
- MilestoneMatches identical objects and picturesMind· 15mo–2.5y· core· Steps 1, 2
- MilestoneFinds a visibly hidden objectMind· 7mo–14mo· core· Step 2
- MilestoneSearches for disappeared objectMind· 6mo–12mo· core· Step 2
- MilestoneFollows visually supported instructionsMind· 8mo–18mo· core· Step 3
- MilestoneFollows visually supported requestsMind· 12mo–15mo· core· Step 3
- MilestoneExplores objects by linking together different approaches: shaking, hitting, looking, feeling, tasting, mouthing, pulling, turning and poking.Body· 8mo–20mo· core
- MilestoneExplores objects through the sensesBody· 0mo–11mo· stretch· Step 1
- MilestonePuts object into containerBody· 9mo–12mo· stretch· Step 3
What it practices
- Beginning to organise and categorise objects, e.g. putting all the teddy bears together or teddies and cars in separate piles.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Knows that things exist, even when out of sight.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Says some counting words randomly.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Provide collections of objects that can be sorted and matched in various ways.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)