TIDY BUNCHES
 
     
Materials Purpose Process
 
 
 
 
 
MATERIALS
 
 
Three large, three medium and three small buttons.
 
 

Warning: Be careful with using buttons with very young child. They may put the buttons in their mouth.
 
 
PURPOSE
 
     
This activity will help the child remember sequences. It also assists in developing focus and attention span. Focusing on a task and remembering sequence will be beneficial in all learning.
 
 
     
PROCESS
 
Note: Rather than use buttons for this activity you may wish to use larger items from around the house, such as, cans from the pantry; plastic cups; etc. Larger items can work well with younger children.
 
     
1. The child should sit beside you or on your lap at a table. It is important that the child see what you are seeing.
 
   
 
2. Place the buttons on the table in a random order.

3. Take a large, medium, and small button and place them in a sequence, e.g., large to small.

4. Tell the child you are going to play a game in which the child has to put his/her buttons in the same order that you have them on the table. The child should be encouraged to look at the order for a reasonable length of time. In other words, to focus on the task at hand.

5. Rearrange the three buttons and ask the child to put them in the same order that you had ordered them originally. If the child has trouble repeat the activity.

6. Change the sequence or order of the buttons according to the ability of the child. Adding other buttons for more complicated sequences.

7. If size of buttons becomes boring, try using buttons of different shapes or different colors.

8. Let the child set the sequence to see if you can remember. The child will have fun trying to stump you.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR: No two children will perform this activity at the same level. It is not important what other children do. It is important that each child find his/her own starting point and build from there. Some children will have trouble focusing attention while others may move to more complicated sequences very quickly. This activity should be done in a fun atmosphere. If the child gets bored, it is better to stop the activity because the child must be attentive during this activity. There is always another day.