BEGINNING MATCHING ACTIVITIES (21+ months)

Beginning matching activities should focus on making only one match at a time. Choose three age-appropriate items for your child to match such as small toys, pictures, shoes, or crayons.  Two of the items should be exactly the same.  For example, you could choose two red socks and a blue sock.  For a free set of matching pictures to download, click here.

• Place one of the items right-side-up on a table.

• Hold the other two items face-up, one in each hand.

• Ask your child which item in your hands matches the item on the table.

• Repeat the activity, changing the items that you are using.

 When your child is comfortable matching an item in your hand to one on the table, add a small memory and movement element. Continue to use only three items, two that match and one that doesn’t. Try adding these elements:

• Place one of the matching items right-side up across the room. Make sure your child sees where you placed it. 

• Again, hold the other two face-up, one in each hand.

• Ask your child which item in your hands matches the item on the across the room.

• Repeat using different locations such as the floor or furniture.

MORE MATCHING ACTIVITIES (24+ months)

Activity 1

When your child is comfortable making one match, start playing games with two and three matches. Try this activity:

• Choose four items that make two matches.  For example, you might choose two red socks and two green socks.

• Place one item from each match on a table. The item should be clearly visible to your child.

• Set the matching items aside.  Give them to your child one by one to identify the match on the table.

• When your child is comfortable, increase to six items (3 matches).

Again, when your child is comfortable matching items in your hand to one on the table, add small memory and movement elements such as placing matches across the room on furniture or the floor.

Activity 2

• Place four items (two matches) face-up on a table.

• Ask your child to pick up two items that match. For example, your child may pick up the two red socks.

• Increase to six items (three matches) when your child is ready.

ADVANCED MATCHING ACTIVITIES (30 + months)

Activity 1

Place all six items (3 matches) right-side up in plain sight around the room.  Make sure your child sees where you are placing them. Ask your child to find matches. When your child is comfortable with the activity, try reversing roles and letting your child place the disks around the room.

Activity 2

Place all six items in a bag or box.  Ask your child to remove two items from the container and tell you if they match.