Some theory…

Classification is a cognitive ability that appears at age 2 and develops throughout elementary school. The child takes pleasure in practicing classifying different objects. First, the child classifies objects in what might appear to us as random fashion, with no specific criterion. He associates items through their proximity or suitability (e.g., as he builds on thought, he will classify objects on the basis of a criterion). Then, slowly but surely, he will form sub-categories (several classification criteria).

How to stimulate the child's development through play...

With a child aged 2 to 5, you should encourage classification based on a criterion known to him: colour, shape, things that may be eaten, objects found in his bedroom. At age 6, encourage the child to form classes and progressively show him how to divide them into sub-classes (e.g., in the animal class, there are two sub-classes, herbivores and carnivores). Note here that you may only stimulate the child’s development. The child cannot be pushed to go faster than neurological and psychological development allow. Learning must remain a game.

Developed by Audrey Leblanc and Mélanie Martel, psychoeducators ©2011, Groupe Formation Intervention inc., Montréal.