3.3y–5y12 minFree playFamily timeQuiet time
Treasure Sorting & Labeling
Use a mixed 'treasure basket' so your child can sort, order, count, and label groups with numerals during play.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a small collection of mixed household items (e.g., socks, spoons, bottle tops, toy figures)
- 3-5 bowls or containers
- paper and pen or marker
Nice to have
- sticky notes for labels
- string or tape to make a 'display line'
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
- MilestoneCounts objects one-to-oneMind· 4y–4.5y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneReports the counted totalMind· 4.3y–5y· core
- MilestoneWrites numerals with supportMind· 4.5y–5y· core
- MilestoneRecognises written numeralsMind· 4y–5y· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneCompares object propertiesMind· 2.8y–5y· core· Step 5
- Milestonecounts up to 5Mind· 2.5y–3.3y· stretch· Steps 2, 6
- MilestoneVerbal opposite identificationMind· 4.5y–5y· core· Step 5
- MilestoneReceptive opposite understandingMind· 4y–5y· core· Step 5
- MilestoneBegins to identify own mathematical problems based on own interests and fascinations.Mind· 3.3y–5y· stretch
What it practices
- Counts an irregular arrangement of up to ten objects.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Selects the correct numeral to represent 1 to 5, then 1 to 10 objects.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Estimates how many objects they can see and checks by counting them.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Uses the language of ‘more’ and ‘fewer’ to compare two sets of objects.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Finds the total number of items in two groups by counting all of them.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Provide collections of interesting things for children to sort, order, count and label in their play.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)