Sorting by Color and Size

Three Bear Family® Counters are perfect for helping young children act out and understand abstract math concepts. These adorable counters are also great for imaginative play!

Activities focus on these number concepts

•sorting•subtraction

•comparing sets •visual memory

•addition •patterning

•counting •sequencing •estimating

Sort the Bears into color sets. For a young child, limit the number of counters to be sorted. Gradually increase the number as he/she becomes more confident. Have the child compare sets. For example, the child sorts 5 red Bears and 3 blue Bears. Use the words more and fewer to describe the sets. Repeat this activity using size instead of color.

A Color Parade

Have children sort the Bears by color into lines, and have a color parade. Be sure to use the words first, second, third, etc., and the words next and last.

Counting

Make a set of cards numbered from

1-9. Have the child place the correct number of Bears on each card. Use the words most and fewest. Ask, “Which card has the most Bears? Which has the fewest Bears?”

Zoo Bears

For this activity you will need 5 paper cups. Place a numeral from 1-5 on the bottom of each cup. The child puts the correct number of Bears into each "cage." You may also wish to put a patch of color on the bottom of each cup so that the child is counting and sorting by color.

Counting Game

Three people can play this game. Place all the Bears in the center of a table. Players take turns rolling the die and gathering the corresponding number of Bears from the center. Play until all the counters are gone from the center. The winner is the one with the most Bears at the end of play.

Estimating

Ask the child, "How many Bears do you think you can hold in one hand?" Record the answer. Then see how many the child can actually hold in one hand. Compare the numbers. Use the words more and few. Repeat this game using two hands.

Visual Memory

For a visual memory exercise, make a line with 4 different colored Bears. Have the child study the Bears for a few moments. While the child's eyes are closed, remove only one of the Bears, leaving the others in place. Ask the child to open his/her eyes and tell you which Bear is missing.