Acorn Ordering and Sorting

The oak trees near us are full of acorns this year – an interesting fact is that this is called a mast and happens every few years and it appears that this year is one! So for this week’s theme for Virtual Book Club for Kids Acorns and Squirrels seems to be a perfect for this time of the year. Whereas a lot of focus in Numeracy in the early years can be directed towards numbers it’s really important that areas like measuring and geometry are also introduced. In this hands-on activity with our downloadable resource to use you can work on some aspects of language as well as ordering and sorting.

Ordering and Sorting of Acorns

For toddlers and preschoolers we need to work on the language of maths, as well as the concept so here we will be using Big, Bigger, Biggest, Small, Smaller, Smallest as well as linking those with objects.

We are lucky our neighbour has a large oak tree in their back garden so I asked for a bag of acorns and he was happy to provide. However, if you aren’t lucky to find them or it’s not a mast year and they are in short supply I have also provided you with downloadable acorn sheets for you to use with your children in this activity.

Materials needed for ordering and sorting acorns

A bag of acrons

OR

Acorn Ordering sheets

How to set up this Acorn Maths Centre Activity for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Either place a selection of different sized acorns on the table or the acorns that you have cut out.

Start by working with your child to order the acorns from smallest to biggest.

As you do take the time to question them about the different sizes – place them side by side and ask questions like

• Which acorn is bigger?
• Which acorn is the smaller?
• Where should this acorn go – next to the biggest one? Next to the smallest one?

Once you have the acorns in order go through asking your child to point to a big acorn, the biggest acorn, the smallest acorn.

Once things are in order – now sort out the acorns into Big Acorns, Small Acorns and Medium-sized acorns.

Use these Acorn and Squirrel Clip Cards to Work on Number Recognition and Counting and our Acorn Arrays to work on the basis of multiplication and times tables.

Virtual Book Club for Kids Featured Book for Acorn and Squirrel Week.

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This week’s featured book for The Virtual Book Club for Kids is Scaredy Squirrel by Melanie Watt. With cute illustrations and is a great one for using for more than the squirrel and acorns theme. It is also great for use with children that are anxious or worried about things.

More Acorn and Squirrel Themed Activities

The Virtual Book Club for Kids Co-ordinators and co-hosts share themed activities every Monday with you covering all areas of skill and development for toddlers and preschoolers. Check out this week’s posts for more ideas and inspiration.

Acorn Ramp Play for Toddlers- Toddler Approved

Acorn Sharing Game – Witty Hoots

Counting Acorns Preschool Printables-The Moments at Home

Squirrel and Acorn Ten Frame Printables and Activities by JDaniel4’s Mom

Acorn Fine Motor and Counting – Views From a Step Stool

DIY Song Cube with Fall Song Printable from My Storytime Corner

Acorn Discovery Table – Inspiration Laboratories

Acorn Color Sort- Teach Beside Me

Acorn Art – Messy Little Monster

Help the squirrel find his acorn – Mama Smiles

Squirrel Brain Breaks- The OT Toolbox

Squirrel Action Rhyme – Preschool Powol Packets

Find the Acorns Printable Sight Word Game – Artsy Momma

Acorn Ordering and Sorting – YOU ARE HERE

Making Shapes With Acorns – To Be A Kid Again

Author

Cerys Parker

Cerys is a marine biologist, environmental educator, teacher, mum, and home educator from the UK. She loves getting creative, whether it is with simple and easy crafts and ideas, activities to make learning fun, or delicious recipes that you and your kids can cook together you'll find them all shared here on Rainy Day Mum.