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January 05, 2016

Color Sorting for Montessori Toddlers

Toddlers are right in the middle of the sensitive period for order. This can manifest itself in a variety of different ways. You may see a toddler become upset when something familiar is out of place. Or, you may see a toddler lining up toys or household objects. A toddler exerting this need for order might sort objects by some type of feature. Or, they may finally return a material to a shelf!

While toddlers are in the sensitive period for order, they love color sorting. Here are some color sorting materials for Montessori toddlers.

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Sometimes this need for order can lead a toddler (or even preschooler) to want to sort objects by their color. They may be in the process of identifying the colors around them and trying to make some sense of it all. There are many materials that can be used to fulfill this need or desire. 


More Color Sorting Ideas

There are also a lot of amazing handmade offerings on Etsy that can fulfill this need and desire. I thought these looked beautiful: Egg and Cup Color Sorting; Color Sorting Tray; Cup and Ball Color Sorting; Peg and Cup Sorting

Many easy DIY color sorting materials can also be made. And, we've used tons! You can see my color sorting ideas on our Tot School Colors -- Posts and Resources page!

When using color sorting work, I just let the toddler explore. This work is self correcting, in that a toddler can see when a mistake has been made. This self discovery is important for toddlers and a tenant of Montessori education. Additionally, if you see your child starting to enter this sensitive period, try color sorting with just a couple colors -- I start with the primary colors -- and a couple objects. Then, add more over time!

Is your toddler in the sensitive period for order? Does your toddler like to color sort?

If you liked this post, check out: Montessori Inspired Cup and Ball Color Sorters; Rainbow Color Sorters




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Comments

Audrey
Audrey said…
As usual, your posts are right on the mark for us! Eves is currently big on order (her order, not our order haha) - just this morning she spent 10 minutes taking all the bowls out of the kids drawer in the kitchen, took them to the table, then returned them after picking up something else to play with. It took her 3 trips to return them all (one handed as the other hand had the new toy in it!). Amazing to watch. I put down what I was doing and just observed.

I love as she does the colour sorting too, she doesn't but her older brother (who has a well developed sense of what goes where) can't help but correct her! I ask him to just watch, she will learn herself but it is so hard for him ;)
Unknown
Unknown said…
At Christmas I discovered Plan Toys. I bought a color sorter in the shape of little bees with a tweezer and cups shaped like a hive when put together. My daughter loves putting the bees in the colored hives. It's made of wood and well made. Price is also reasonable.
Unknown
Unknown said…
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