Sorter - a useful educational toy for children in 1 year

The main purpose of the sorter is to teach baby think logically. By sorting the details, the kids not only think, but also connect analytical skills, memorycolor combination. Each sorter has its own characteristics, so you can pick it up for any age and degree of development.

This interesting game was born at the beginning of the 20th century, its birthplace is Italy. The first to consider sorting was a famous teacher, a representative of the system of early development. Maria Montessori. In Russia, this idea was picked up by its like-minded people - husband and wife, Nikitin's teachers. Earlier sorter made their own hands, but in the 30s the company Fisher Price released the first copies of this wonderful wooden game.

A toy sorter has the following form - the sorting base for the distribution of figures according to some sign - most often it is color, size, shape. The base panel can be frames, columns (like a pyramid), three-dimensional figures (houses, balls, cubes). The second name of this toy is a sorter, which is the essence of the whole game. The fundamental difference from simple sorting is that there are exact contours and colors that do not allow arbitrary sorting, and requires the child's accuracy and results.

Sorter is undoubtedly a useful toy aimed at the diversified development of the child:

• introduces the concepts: "the same - different", "the same", "similar", "fit - do not fit";
• activates the ability to compare, analyze, classify, sort, helps to establish causal relationships;
• develops memory - the child remembers what corresponds to what, the simultaneous effects on vision and touch, tactile sensations also affect memory;
• teaches to distinguish shapes by signs (shape, color, quantity, texture);
• teaches to navigate in space;
• develops fine motor skills, coordination, dexterity, which affect mental abilities, logical thinking and speech apparatus, that is, thanks to this, the child can start to speak earlier;

• if there are several sorts, it is better to purchase them from various materials, the child will learn to distinguish wood, plastic, fabric and will remember the sensations from each of them;
• sorter with sound effects train your ears, help you memorize and create sound associations;
• forms technical thinking, design skills;
• develops assiduity and attentiveness, diligence, makes you concentrate;
• contributes to the early development of children, no wonder this toy is the basis of the pedagogy of early development.

To create sorter using the following materials:

• Tree. The most eco-friendly material, so it is often chosen by caring parents.Wood sorter is easy to wash and handle. Pleasant material for tactile sensations, as it keeps the baby’s palms warm, also allows you to feel the weight of the elements.

• Plastic. Bright details, light and waterproof - all that is so necessary for a child's toy. These qualities allow you to take her with you anywhere. The plastic sorter is easy to wash and handle, which is a plus to its safety. Of course, the material can be alerted by toxicity, unnatural, but modern technologies have protected such toys for children as much as possible.

• The cloth. Fabric figures of various textures and colors attract the attention of kids. Such a sorter is suitable for the smallest. A filler helps motility. Another nice bonus - inside the figures there is a soundtrack - rattles, tweeters. No cost and without weaknesses - such a toy can be crumpled and inserted into any hole, from which the essence of the whole game disappears. Well, mothers say that the body itself is also crushed and the lack of rigidity does not suit the baby.
• Combined. Combines several materials. Aimed at the development of motor skills in a child, the ability to distinguish between textures and materials. The downside is that if the basis of the fabric, then carrying the solid Circuits fall out.

Sorters are classified according to the following criteria.

Different sorter complexity implies different solutions. "Hemisport" - elementary children's pyramids, dolls, cups - games in which there can be many solutions. Here, an adult should direct the right choice, make a hint, demonstrate the correct option. Plus these toys - a lot of options for the game. Directly sorter - the basis and shape for insertion or insertion. They have one solution, unless there are no shapes and holes similar - eight and hexagons, circles and ovals.

There are two main types - game-inset and game-donning. Game insert It is a volumetric shape with holes into which figures are inserted. The base can have a different shape - a cube, a ball or toys - a house, a machine and the like. The game of putting on - pins with figures that need to be put on the base. Columns and holes in figures, colors, shape of figures can vary in shape. Figures are put on or turned for fixing. This can be attributed to geometric sorters in the form of frames and figures inserted there.

Sorters vary in complexity and material. For the smallest and up to a year fit fabric. For babies 1 year and older, you can choose vertical sorters, volumetric toys. The older the baby, the more shapes and the more difficult the silhouettes can be chosen with additional functionality.

Manufacturers think carefully sorter. Their form allows you to find the owner and among the most capricious and picky. The easiest format is cube, pyramid, wooden sorter from the company Tomik. But it is important to carry the kids, so the basis may be a house, a machine. The most interesting forms are the wheelchair that can be transported around the house (which is an additional function), the sorter-suitcase Patrick, the house with keys.

Logical, geometric sorters, animal figures, for those who want to learn - numbers and letters - the choice depends on the purpose of the acquisition. The older the child, the more complex the figure with the additional complication - scrolling, pressing, nesting one into another, the phased implementation of the task.

A toy can be voluminous - when inserts fall inward, flat - when there is a base on which to place or insert figures, it looks like a frame with outlines.Such a sorter can be inserted into the frame, and also the figure can have a hole in the middle for inserting one more element. Small and large in size - the larger the sorter, the more suitable for toddlers, the smaller game will suit older kids.

Musical, educational, educational, gaming, tactile - all this is an additional feature of the sorter. The main thing when choosing do not overdo it with effectsotherwise the child will quickly tire and the toy will lose the main function of learning.

Universal toy. In addition to the sorter, there may be onomatopoeia, and labyrinths, and lacing, and watch, and hammers - everything that will help the baby’s versatile development.

When buying, you should ask yourself what age the game is suitable for. It is necessary to evaluate its complexity, material, additional functions, safety.

Best optionfor the little ones - soft fabric toy with various fillers. The main thing for textiles - the possibility of washing. The material should not shed, and the filler emit unpleasant odors. Such a toy is safe, because the child will not be hurt by careless movements, and in the collective game will not offend another.

It is better for babies to pick up toys with a minimum of facets, because their perception is not yet so developed, and the child may become confused and simply not find a suitable hole. It is better to let it be an uncomplicated circle than a flower or even more complicated - flowers with different number of petals. The number of holes should be minimal and with simple shapes. For small ones, one hole on each face is enough, or all openings should be located on one side.

For children from a year old or older, the best eco-friendly material is wood. But when buying it, it should be borne in mind that a child at that age checks everything. The tree of such experiments can not withstand, and the child can bite off a piece. The benefit of modern technology does not stand still, and plastic does not lag behind the wooden counterparts. Bright and light toys are sure to interest the child.

Here the number of holes increases, as does the complexity of the figures. More angles and silhouettes of animals, sound, step-by-step execution of the task with scrolling, selection of shapes and colors. The form must be understandable and familiar to the child, otherwise the child will get angry, not understanding how the asterisk differs from the pentahedron.

General recommendations for all babies:

• The holes should not be too big so that the child could not stick the handle in there, but also too small are dangerous too, because the kid is studying everything with his fingers. The size of the figures is also important - the kids are all pulling in the mouth, so the minimum should be five or six centimeters.
• Detalki better pick with rounded corners. Sorters with pins should have rounded ends and a fairly wide base (however, with such a game, it is better to be careful and play with the child).
• The figures should easily fall into the designated hole, but the hole should fit only one shape. Jamming will annoy the child, but too easy entry of the figure into any cell will contribute to the loss of interest in the game. Therefore, after buying the first game, adults should play by checking that the details match the holes.

• The basis should open so that the baby does not press anything and can also close it safely to continue his game without disturbing adults. This is a big plus to the independence of the child.
• Lack of strong odors, otherwise the game will be dangerous as a minimum by allergic reactions. Such materials include textile and plastic games.
• Ability to adjust the sound effects.
• Reliable battery compartment that the child can not open on their own.

For kids, an additional universal opening for all parts is permissible, but an adult child does not need it, otherwise the game will lose its meaning. When choosing, do not forget for what purpose you buy the game - the development of motor skills, the perception of colors, shapes, numbers, letters, or maybe it is a gift - do not mix everything into one pile, such diversity will be tedious for a child. It is better to buy several sorter with different functionality.

If the purchase is made through the online store Confirm its quality by contacting the seller, who must provide a certificate. Read reviews mommies and make the right choice.

Some tips:

• First of all, when teaching a baby, the personal example of a parent is important. Adult shows - the child repeats. If the baby is difficult, the parent takes his hand and repeats all movements. Turn the sorter with the right side to the child to facilitate the task.
• Be sure to praise the child, thereby encouraging further action. Ask questions when playing: “Does this toy fit here? Not! Let's look for more. ” Support, more than ever, is important for the baby, because it gives rise to faith in yourself.
• Give up criticism and swearing. The child will no longer want to play the game for which he is being scolded.
• Take your time, watch, give your child time to think and reflect, build a logical solution.

• At first, don't make your baby play by the rules. Let him get acquainted with the sorter, learn, by trial and error will come to the right decision. Show the wrong decision, so that the baby understands that in this way it will not be possible to complete the task, and it’s correct that the baby will understand the difference, show emotions of frustration and joy.
• Come up with new versions of the game. For example, we collect with one hand, with two hands, develop imagination, imagining that the sorter is a house, a garage, and the figures are residents. Outline the figures in pencil on a sheet of paper, create drawings. Take the parts with you in the sandbox or bathroom. Play for time or blindly, "to the touch."
• Accompany the game with comments and explanations - what kind of figure, color, what size is it. Over time, start asking questions, checking how the child remembers and learns the game.

• If the baby plays with one figure, do not despair. Methodically repeat the movement, learn the shapes. Then the second and all the remaining figures will be used. Try to insert all the figures into the same hole, and, conversely, one figure under different holes.
• If the sorter could not immediately interest, do not force and do not force it to play, set aside for a while, and then show the child again.
• Teach your child to clean up a toy, so it will last much longer and the risk of losing parts will be less.
• Do not forget to care for her, wash and wash, maintain cleanliness.

Sorter can be made with your own hands, using the simplest material - boxes, cloth, foam rubber, sponges for washing dishes. It is economical and interesting for your child:

• The easiest sorter. We take a few bottles of different sizes and different nuts, beans, beans. The child must pick up objects for each neck size.
• Jar and caps. In the lid of a plastic jar we make holes in various sizes. We assemble caps and small toys in the child’s closet and offer to choose their own entrance for each. The cover can be decorated with a pattern.
• Bottle with cap. Well develops fine motor skills. In the lid, we make narrow cuts and insert popsicle sticks into them, counting sticks, and processed twigs.

• Field of Dreams. The basis is a cardboard circle on a cardboard rim. The circle is divided into sectors and make holes for future liners. These can be cups, cubes - any shapes. The highlight of the sorter - the liner must be voluminous and each has its own “stuffing” - beads, beads, cereals, bells and the like. Each sector is denoted by a color or picture of the filler. If this is a game for little ones, limit it to colors, but older children can guess the filler by the sound.
• Shoe box and lego. We make in the box with the lid the holes suitable for the size of Lego and play. The box can be decorated with drawings and stickers.
• Feed the animal. On the cover of the container we glue the images of little animals and make holes at the muzzle of different sizes, respectively, the size of the nut or pebble that will be inserted.

• Colored jars. Take four or more jars of different colors and make holes in the lid. You can fill them with colored stickers of different shapes according to color, multi-colored buttons, where you can make your own hole for each one.
• Cabinet sorter. From the box we make a cabinet with drawers of different colors and colored accessories for them, which the child must distribute by color.
• Sorter puzzle. We use color foam rubber of a small thickness. Create a base with cut holes - circles, butterflies, numbers - to your taste. And the same figures. You can make and volumetric cube, combining four squares together. The idea of ​​the sorter to the full height of the child is interesting, then the cube can be a full-fledged house.

• Sorter by color. Make colored holes in the box and color tokens, respectively. The child must insert a token in his hole. You can complicate the task by adding a token that has no color on the box.
• Circuit. On a large sheet of paper we draw the outline of various objects. The task of the baby is to find such an item and put it in place. To make the task more interesting, items can be arranged around the room.
• Maxi Sorter. Includes a box with holes for figures, for sticks with numbers and letters.

• Colored caps. We collect any size and color of the lid and create pyramids of them in size, colors, make holes for the lids in jars by color.
• Fabric. We select a multi-colored felt, flannel or any other thick fabric and sew a cube with different colors of the sides. We pass along the ribs the usual chopsticks from the juice and sew so that the cube does not lose shape. We make holes in the form of a square, circle, triangle and sew the same three-dimensional shapes. Perfect for kids.
• Combined. Inserts are made of different materials - fabric, caps, sponges, foam rubber - an excellent development for tactile sensations and fine motor skills.

Mass ideas, the main desire. Such simple toys will help your kid have fun. And their availability will allow to please him with a variety.

It is important not to forget about safety - avoid untreated elements, sharp cuts and edges that can cut a baby. For the smallest, it is better to avoid games with small details and cuts.

Sorter is a versatile toy for the early development of children. It is useful for thinking and for motility. A child, while playing, gets a lot of knowledge about form, color, and logical arrangement. The toy will help the restless parents, because it is difficult to break away from it, the children are happy to spend time in such an interesting and useful lesson, and the parents have a rest.

In this video, you will find a review of the developing toys for kids from Fisher-Price.