Things That Go Together

Kids love the idea that they know more than the space traveler.

Objectives

Children ages 2 ½-3 years can describe an object by its use Cog. I
Tells why two objects have similar functions or are used together to perform a particular function and they can name objects.

Materials

On a tray, an assortment of objects that go together: toothbrush/toothpaste, knife/spoon, envelope/stamp, track/train, paper/pencil, soap/washcloth. A puppet made up as if he were from another planet with antennae, horns, strange eyes, funny voice, two heads, etc.

Procedures

1. Have the puppet come in and introduce itself. The puppet is not from this planet. It is just visiting, and it’s found some things it thinks go together.

2. The puppet starts taking things off the tray and examining them, e.g., tasting soap, listening to it, smelling it. The puppet asks the children what it’s called, what it’s used for, etc.

3. Then the puppet picks up other objects, trying to put two objects together. The puppet asks why some of the objects won’t work together but others don’t. Encourage group participation.

4. Repeat the above procedure until all the objects on the tray are matched.

Variation
 
Use objects that serve the same function but are different in form (sponge/washcloth; bar of soap/box of soap flakes/liquid soap; etc.). The puppet acts mystified, pointing cout differences.  Children must disregard color, shape, and form differences while identifying function as the matching characteristic.
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