Concentration
Toddlers independently take turns looking at sets of two randomly selected animal picture cards to determine whether the cards are the same or different.
*Matching picture cards (see Be Prepared)
*Printables provided
Be Prepared: Secure a set of matching cards for the following six types of animals (two cards each): cat, dog, cow, duck, rabbit, and sheep.
Invite two toddlers to join you at a table to play a matching game. Show toddlers two sets of cards: two that match and two that do not match. Describe how the matching cards are the same. Example: “This card has a picture of a cow on it. This card also shows a picture of a cow. These two cards show the same animal. These two cards match because they show the same animal.” Ask toddlers whether the other set of two cards is the same or different. Example: “These cards do not match. Why don’t they match? (cards show different animals; animals are not the same)
Organize the cards into two piles of six cards each, with cards randomly organized in each pile. Each pile should have one of each of the six animals. Place the cards face down in front of toddlers.
Invite the two toddlers to take turns in (1) pulling one card from the top of each pile, (2) putting the cards face up on the table, and (3) telling whether the cards match. Remind toddlers what it means to take turns: only one person touches and talks about the cards when it is his/her turn.
As a follow-up to each child’s decision on whether cards match, ask why the cards match (or do not match). The intent is to encourage the toddler to explain that cards are match because they are the same or cards do not match because they are different.
To emphasize the importance of looking closely at each picture, elaborate on each toddler’s comment about why cards match or do not match. Example: “Sam’s cards show a picture of a dog and cat. The cards do not match because the animals are different.” It may be sufficient to elaborate on the first card comparisons of each toddler.
Toddlers may be interested in a second round, using reshuffled cards in each pile. Conclude the activity by reminding (or asking) toddlers that we determined whether two cards matched by looking at the animal pictures and figuring out whether the animals were the same or different.
The activity offers opportunities for toddlers to look at and compare pictures of animals. Each option promotes the concepts of same and different plus the idea that cards match when they are the same. Options 1 and 2 intentionally help children focus on the same and different comparison before encouraging a toddler to say whether the cards match. In contrast, the more challenging Option 3 promotes a toddler’s comparison of same and different after the toddler determines whether cards are a match.
The activity is not intended to be an animal identification task. Knowing the names of animals is not a requirement for determining whether the pictures are the same or different. Some toddlers may recognize but not promptly recall the name of an animal.
Option 3 offers the additional challenge of waiting patiently while a peer takes a turn. Some toddlers may show impatience by offering a decision about the other toddler’s match. Offer a reminder of what it means to take turns and give a “warning” in advance of a child taking a turn if a child has shown impatience previously. Example: “Now it is Jake’s turn to pull and look at the cards. Remember, Simon, you need to be quiet and watch Jake work with the cards he pulls. You will get a turn after Simon takes his turn.”
If it appears toddlers participating in Option 3 would like a stronger peer relationship focus, the option can be modified into a more collaborative activity by inviting each child to pull one card from a pile and then (a) jointly determine or (b) take turns determining whether the cards match. The challenge here is to avoid having one toddler dominate decisions about a match.
Extra support
Enrichment
Materials Needed: *four unmatched animal cards, four toy animals that match the picture cards
Display the four animal cards on a low table and invite 2–3 toddlers to look at and name the animals on the cards. Encourage the toddler(s) to find the toy animal that matches each picture card.
*Printables provided
Materials Needed: *picture cards (one each) that show the following animals: cat, dog, sheep, cow; Big Red Barn by Margaret Wise Brown; farm animal figures (optional)
Read the book with children, emphasizing animals illustrated in the book. At the conclusion of the book, lay the farm animal picture cards face up on a low table. Revisit each of the illustrations of animals in the book and invite toddlers and older children to find a displayed card that shows the same type of animal. Babies may enjoy holding toy animal figures that represent some of the animals in the book.
*Printables provided
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