Sort it Out! Making Sense of the World Through Sorting and Classification

Hello Montessori n’ Such Community!

Children love to sort. In a Montessori environment, sorting and classification are more than just early math skills, they’re how toddlers and preschoolers begin to make sense of their world. Give them a wooden tray and a basket of mixed objects, and suddenly they’re on a mission. Montessori’s approach recognizes the importance of engaging the senses, so these activities are rich in touch, sight, and even sound. You can try one of our sorting trays that make it easy to create inviting, organized experiences that toddlers and preschoolers will enjoy.

These skills also boost language development. As children group items by shape, color, texture, or category, they naturally use language to describe what they’re doing. “These are rough,” “This is bigger,” or “All of these are animals.” These verbal observations strengthen vocabulary, communication, and thinking skills, all of which can be explored on sensorial shelves. And it doesn’t stop there. Sorting and classification can also be found in:

•       Practical Life: Sorting buttons, spoons, or beans by type or size
•       Math: Classifying numerals or counting objects
•       Cultural: Grouping animals by continent or plants by habitat
•       Art: Sorting colors into shades and classifying primary, secondary, and tertiary colors

Whether it’s sorting leaves by color or beads by size, these activities help children organize information, develop logic, and spark curiosity about how things relate. It’s a hands-on, purposeful, and fun way to learn!

FREE Color Sorting Printable!

- The Montessori n' Such Team