Sorting coins with a Pattern Game

If you have a large pile of coins around, you can use it as a Pattern Game with your toddler. It’s a great way for them to see patterns and variables, and figure out which variables matter when sorting similar objects.

What to do?

1. You decide what the ‘Target’ is. For example, we made the US Quarter our target. We had a big pile of US and international coins, and we told our son: we need to find all the quarters. All other coins go into the bank.
2. Then have your toddler choose a coin.
3. Talk through with them what variables are present: does it match the Quarter’s size? Does it match in color? Does it match the face or drawings?
4. Ask them to put it in the right place: The Target Pile, or the Bank.
5. Once they make the choice, make the BZZZZZ sound if they are wrong, or the DING DING sound if they are right.
6. Repeat, until the toddler can talk through the sorting on his own.

It’s a fun and quick game — to help your little one start to figure out fine-detail sorting, and to build their confidence in finding connections and making judgments.