Our first order of business today is to announce the Pumpkin Painting Contest winners! We ended up with only 2 entries, so we decided to feature both here on At Home w/  Girlfriends Coffee Hour.

1 Pumpkin Decorated for Both Halloween and Thanksgiving from Organized 31

3 Fine Motor Pumpkin Activities {Fine Motor Friday} from School Time Snippets

Thank you both so much for entering the contest. Your ideas were excellent, and I just may use them in our homeschool real soon!

Now on to our topic for the day! 

I homeschool multiple children from pre-k, elementary, middle school, on up to high school. We read various books, complete different lessons, and participate in certain types of play, all according to the age of the child, as well as the needs of the family at the moment. Much of the time we need something to keep the little ones busy while Mommy cooks or siblings are completing independent work, or simply wanting some time to themselves. One of the activities that I have found that all of my children enjoy is sorting. They sort toys, crayons, beads, books, legos, etc. This activity is especially beneficial to young children. I’ve explained the reasons why below.

4 Benefits to Sorting Activities for Young Children

1. Sorting activities can be used to teach organization at a young age.  Grouping items by shape, color, texture, and size are all a part of learning to organize.  Allowing your child to learn this while he is young will mean he is a step ahead of the organization game as he grows older.
2. Sorting keeps them busy! My two little ones can sit for a very long time sorting bears, crayons, colored pencils, lids, magnetic letters, especially if it is a new activity or one they have not done recently.  My 4 year old creates bear rainbows &  bear armies, and also engages in pretend play as she sorts.  I love to listen to some of the conversations she has as she sits at our table with bears in hand.
3. Sorting also teaches early math skills. Children can see, when they line their items up, how rows and columns are formed.  They learn to count, and often begin to add and subtract without being taught.  It comes naturally!
4. I believe sorting also teaches responsibility. We have taken great care with our sorting bears. They are very special toys in our home and are only played with in a certain way (gently) and in certain areas (at the table or during blanket time). Since we have these ‘rules’ in place, our daughters tend to take more care with their sorting toys while playing, as well as when cleaning up afterwards.

Need more ideas for bringing sorting into your day?

Have your preschooler:

• sort silverware
• help you sort laundry
• separate fruit by type, color, or size
• sort shoes by ownership
• sort books according to softcover or hardcover

These are just a few more ideas that I hope will be helpful to you!

Do you have a favorite sorting item in your homeschool?  What benefits have you seen come to your children through sorting?