Matching objects is great way to improve a child’s concentration and cognitive skills. While undertaking matching work, a child uses problem solving skills and exercises shape and color discrimination.

When setting up matching work for a toddler, use around 3-6 items depending on the skill and development of the child and the complexity of the objects or images.

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We find it best to work on a small mat on the floor.  Most children will need these activities demonstrated to them several times. My toddler rarely does these activities alone. Usually I sit along side him and we work together. There is no need to rush this work. Sometimes it takes a while for the child to understand or ‘get’ the activity. I started matching work with my toddler Otis at around twelve months; my older son Caspar starting matching work at two years.

Step One : Object-to-object matching

Object-to-object matching is the easiest for the child and is a good place to start.

Collect two sets of objects that are the same. Place one set of objects in a basket on the mat. Place the other set of objects along the top of the mat. The child takes one object from the basket at a time and matches it to the corresponding object on the mat.

For object-to-object matching we have used fruit, model animals and socks.

Step Two: Object-to-picture matching

Once the child is comfortable with object-to-object matching we introduce object-to-picture matching. For this activity we find objects with picture cards that match. Michael Olaf is a good store for purchasing cards (they also have object-to-picture matching sets), however we’ve made most of our own by photographing household items or toys.

Place the objects in a basket on the mat. Place each picture card along the top of the mat. The child takes one object from the basket at a time and matches it to the corresponding picture.

For object-to-picture matching we have used fruit, kitchen tools, eating utensils and model birds.

Step Three: Object-to-silhouette matching

The next step is matching an item to its silhouette. We make our own cards by tracing around the outside of household objects or toys.

Place the objects in a basket on the mat. Place each silhouette card along the top of the mat. The child takes one object from the basket at a time and matches it to the corresponding silhouette.

For object-to-silhouette matching we’ve started with different shaped blocks. In this example below, we’ve used unit blocks that are too large fit onto a mat.

Step Four: Picture-to-picture matching

This activity requires two sets of  picture cards that are the same. Photographs, copied images or flash cards can be used for this purpose.

Place one set of cards in a basket on the mat. Place the other set of cards along the top of the mat. The child takes one card from the basket at a time and matches it to the corresponding card on the mat.

Picture-to-picture matching is an activity that we haven’t tried yet.

We’ve always tried to keep these matching activities as cost effective as possible. Most of the time we’ve used household objects. Model animals (we love Schleich) are useful for matching too.

Would you or have you tried matching activities with your toddler?