With this fun and simple sorting activity, you can keep your child engaged for an extended period of time. Use a coloured marker or a crayon to colour labels for paper bags, reusable bins, or any type of container. You can use as many colours as you like. Then invite your child to sort their toys or other household items by colour.  

What You Will Need:
- Containers such as paper bags, reusable bins or gift bag
- Coloured markers or crayons (toddlers- 2 colours and older children- 4 colours)

Engaging Your Child:
Sorting experiences and activities at an early age is an important early numeracy and math skill.  When children sort objects they learn about attributes of items and the concept of same and different. You can invite your child into play by introducing the activity to them, “Look at these different coloured bags. What can we find that is the same colour as this red bag?” or “Let’s have a look around the home for things to put into the blue bag”. Depending on your child’s age and stage, you might place a group of coloured toys in a nearby basket so he/she won't need to search for items but can sort items you already have at hand. Help children make colour connections in their immediate surroundings, “See that cushion on the chair? What colours do you see on it?” Asking children probing questions might lead into a new conversation that can turn into new experiences.