Montessori Activity: Sorting Textures with Sandpapers

Age: From 1.5 year old

Activity Duration: 5-10 minutes

Objective(s):
1. To train the child’s fine motor skills.
2. To stimulate the child's sense of touch.
3. To teach the opposite concept of rough and smooth.

Materials:
1. 1 container containing normal paper and sandpapers cut into 10 small pieces (roughly 3 x 2.5cm each) preferably of the same colour, as you want your child to sort texture, not colour.
2. 2 small containers of identical colour and size.
3. 1 tray

Directions:
1. Show your child by sorting the normal paper and sandpaper into the respective small container first.

2. As you go along, name the contrasting texture - smooth or rough.

3. Encourage your child to try.

Additional Information:
J seems to be losing interest in sorting things, and we have stopped the sorting activities for some time, but I am looking forward to try this.

J tried this on 27 June 2011. He wanted to use scissors to cut the paper! I encouraged him to sort the paper first, which he did correctly.