Same and Different

Matching pictures becomes more exciting in this hunt for matching partners. Choose a large area where other activities won't be disturbed.

Objectives

Children ages 4-5 can recognize identical pictures Lang. IB
and deal with two or more attributes simultaneously Cog. IIIA
Children ages 2-2 ½ can name things seen in pictures Lang. IB
and match identical familiar objects Cog. IIIA

 
 
 

Materials

Pins or tape; tags with pictures of animals, colors, shapes, etc. Have the tags in pairs, e.g. 2 elephants, 2 reds, 2 squares, etc.

Procedures

1. Explain to the children what "same" and "different" mean by showing them matching and non-matching pairs of tags. Pin or tape a tag on each child and ask each to identify what they have.

2. Send the children to different parts of the room where they may hide under or behind things. After all have hidden, bring them back by saying “Find your partner who has the same tag." Help those children who cannot find their match by pointing out how they are the same as their partner.

3. After all matches have been made, tags can be switched or new tags can be introduced to start the game over again.

Variations

1. Have children act out their tags using dramatic movement.

2. One child has a picture tag, their partner has the mamtching word tag.  The one with word tag can act out the tag to help their partner identify them..