I love nature trays for young children. They’re a wonderful introduction to the natural world. Nature trays can also be used for learning activities such as sorting and counting.
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The Nature Walk
My 22-month-old granddaughter, Zoey, and I had a lot of fun preparing and working with a nature tray for sorting and counting. We started with a nature walk.
Collecting Small Rocks for the Nature Tray
We had previously collected smooth rocks washed in on the beach. (See “Story Stones – Farm Animal Families Treasure Basket”). Zoey always loved the smooth rocks, so we added to her collection with some small, smooth rocks for the nature tray.
Finding Flower Petals on the Nature Walk
Then we collected some leaves and twigs. We finished our nature walk by collecting some flower petals.
Preparing a Nature Tray with Sorting and Counting Activities
Observing Nature Treasures at 22 Months
I started by letting Zoey examine the basket of treasures from her nature walk. For our indoor work, we used a Montessori Services rug.
Nature Tray Sorting at 22 Months
Then we sorted the objects into groups of 10 similar items. (You could use 5 items of each type if that’s better for your child.)
Nature Tray Sorting
You could sort the the nature objects into horizontal or vertical lines of objects. You could also use a ten frame like the free printable ten frame we used for our fall sensory bin. Zoey and I just placed the nature objects in groups on the rug. As Zoey placed each item on the rug, I counted each object. I want to be sure Zoey understands the concept of quantity rather than simply saying numbers in order.
Montessori Nature Tray for Sorting and Counting
In the end, we had a nature tray with baskets containing 10 similar nature objects in each. (The tray is a Multicraft tray.) It’s our newest addition to Zoey’s Montessori-inspired shelves at “Grandma’s house.”
Zoey was also introduced to a magnifying glass. I used the magnifying glass from the Shoots and Sprouts Toolbox from Montessori By Mom. The flower petals and leaves will change as the days pass, but that will be a good lesson, too. Another year, we’ll focus on preserving flowers and leaves.
Do you have a nature tray or table in your home?
This post is part of the 12 Months of Montessori Learning series!
12 Months of Montessori Series – Math – September
Natural Beach Living ~ The Natural Homeschool ~ Living Montessori Now ~ Planting Peas
The Kavanaugh Report ~ Mama’s Happy Hive ~ Study at Home Mama ~ Child Led Life
The Pinay Homeschooler ~ Every Star Is Different ~ Grace and Green Pastures
Learn more about my eBook Montessori at Home or School: How to Teach Grace and Courtesy! I’m also one of the coauthors of the book Learn with Play – 150+ Activities for Year-round Fun & Learning!The post Montessori Nature Tray Sorting and Counting for Toddlers and Preschoolers appeared first on LivingMontessoriNow.com.