2.5y–4.2y10 minFree playChore timeFamily time
Two Groups: Same and Different
A simple sorting-and-sharing game where your child makes equal and unequal groups, compares ‘more/fewer’, and uses counting to check their group sizes.
What you'll need
Essentials
- 10–12 small everyday objects (e.g., blocks, socks, toy animals, spoons)
- two bowls/containers (for making groups)
Nice to have
- paper and a crayon/marker (for dot pictures)
- a tray or placemat (to keep groups clearly separate)
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· Steps 1, 3
- Milestonecounts up to 5Mind· 2.5y–3.3y· core
- MilestoneReceptive opposite understandingMind· 4y–5y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneGives meaning to own drawings or marksMind· 2.8y–3.8y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneSorts Objects by AttributeMind· 2.3y–3.2y· stretch
- MilestoneDistinguishes between the different marks they make.Mind· 22mo–3y· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneUses mark-making toolsBody· 22mo–2.8y· core· Step 4
What it practices
- Uses some number names and number language spontaneously.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Uses some number names accurately in play.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Recites numbers in order to 10.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Knows that numbers identify how many objects are in a set.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Beginning to represent numbers using fingers, marks on paper or pictures.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Create opportunities for children to separate objects into unequal groups as well as equal groups.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)