Discovering the missing item in this game will surely delight your child while helping to develop reasoning skills.
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What's Missing?
Materials:
- different objects around the house
Directions:
- Select three different objects.
- Show the objects to your child. Encourage your child to name them. Note the colors and compare sizes. Is this one bigger or smaller than the others? How are they the same and how are they different? Verify how many objects are in the group.
- Now say, "Cover your eyes while I cover one these objects. Then see if you can figure out which one I hid." Cover one of the items with a cloth or napkin. Tell your child to look again and tell you which object is hidden. If your child is uncertain, give prompts. For example, talk about what is still there: "Now let's think about what we had before." If this prompt doesn't help, uncover the object and "giggle" with your child about the surprise.
- Switch roles. Have fun and guess incorrectly so that your child can correct you!
- Try this activity several times with different items.
Parent Pointers:
- This activity helps with your child's spatial and object memory skills.
- To extend this activity, pick a theme for the three objects. For example, a slipper, a sock, and a sneaker (all things worn on feet); a spatula, a spoon, and a measuring cup (all things found in the kitchen); a block, a finger puppet, and a toy car (toys); a maraca, a tambourine, and bells (musical instruments).
- Once your child is comfortable with three items, try increasing it to four.
- To challenge older children, try using three items that are the same in every way except their colors.