Children recognize likeness and difference as they sort and classify.

Materials:

• Children's shoes
• Dress up shoes
• Two boxes or baskets

Directions:

To begin the game, invite each child to take off his or her shoes and place one shoe in one box or basket and the second shoe in another. (Some children may not want others to touch their shoes. Make dress-up shoes available so everyone has a pair of shoes to place in the boxes or baskets.)

One at a time, have the children select any shoe from one box or basket and try to find the match in the other box or basket. When each child finds a match, have him or her show the shoes to the class. If you replace the shoes each time, the game will be just as challenging -- and fun -- for all the children.

After the game, line up all the shoes. Talk with the children about how the shoes are alike and different in size, color and shape.

Note: On the day you play the game, you might want to add a few new pairs of shoes to the dress-up area. In addition, you can add shoe boxes, tissue paper, and a little stool so the children can engage in shoe-store play.

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