Making Snack Groups
Here's What To Do
Spread a group of two different types of mixed snack items (for example, fruit and crackers) on a clean surface or in a large container. Show your child how the snacks are different (e.g., shape, size, or texture).
Tell your child that you will placing the snacks into two groups. For example, crackers in one bowl, pretzels in another. Or salty snacks here ans sweet snacks can go in a different group.
Together sort all snacks into the chosen groups and count the number of items in each group.
Invite your child to find another way to group the snacks. Then, let the child enjoy their sorted snacks as a reward for completing the activity!
Put PEER Into Action
Pause:
- Put away all distractions and invite your child to wash their hands.
Engage:
- Help your child sort by saying, "Where do you want to put the sweet snacks? Where do you want to put the salty snacks?”
- "Can you put all the crackers here and all the pretzels there?"
Encourage:
- “What is another way that we can group our snacks?”
- “I like how you are picking each item up and thinking about where you should place it.”
Reflect:
- “What did you find hard to do?”
Not quite ready?
Help your child focus on grouping based on color or size.
Ready for more?
Have your child break the snacks into three groups instead of two.
As your child masters this skill...
They will understand how to gather and share two attributes of a group of items.