Material: Boxes or baskets containing a set of cards (one set per container) pertaining to one subject per set. The subject has to reflect different aspects of the child's environment such as toys, food, clothes, car, kitchen furniture and appliances, bathroom, bedroom, whatever the child is familiar with. (With older children this will be expanded into scientific, social, geographical, or biological material.) The pictures have to be factual. They can be homemade or cut from magazines. For instance: You have one set of pictures (living room) so the picture of the whole living room would be on the box, but you would also have a duplicate in the set of living room cards. Then you should have a group of pictures of individual items that are in a living room. The idea is to give the child a chance to practice by repeating the names of things he has experienced. The second purpose is to help to bring together those experiences which are related, i.e., house, living room, bathroom, kitchen, etc.

Presentation:

1. Show the child a picture on the box top and say, "Let's look at the pictures of the sea shore."

2. Open the box and take out the cards one by one. Holding them up to child and ask, "What is this?" If he knows, put it down on the table. If not, lay it aside. When you have looked through all of the pictures, the child may want to go through them again.

Do it as often as he wants to, but then be sure to bring out the cards he did not recognize and tell him the name. "This is a sand dollar, can you say sand dollar?" If all he says is yes, say, "Then let's hear you say it." (Toys are good objects for this, they serve as a sort of umbilical cord.) This is a very good exercise to be done with one child or to be done in a group, particularly with the very young ones.

3. Once the child is familiar with the cards and their names, they love to play with other children using their new skills: one child can be the teacher or adult, like you.

Control of Error: Correct word on back of card (optional).

Indirect Aim: To classify.

Direct Aim: To develop vocabulary.

Age: 2-1/2 and up.

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