Alike or Different?
Skills - Physical:
- Eye - Hand Coordination
- Small Muscles
 Skills - Language and literacy:
- Asking Questions
- Reading Pictures
- Vocabulary
Skills - thinking:
- Observing
- Understanding Concepts
 Skills - Social / emotional:
- Flexibility
Crayola Supplies

• Blunt Tip Scissors
• Washable Glue Stick
• Washable Markers

Other Supplies

• index cards
• recycled file folders
• recycled magazines

Preparation

  • Collect an assortment of double images: two identical brochures, magazines, postcards. Personalize the activity with children’s photographs, or shots of their pets or families.
  • Children who make their own games usually set just the right challenge for their perceptive skills.
  • If a simplified version of this project is done with older toddlers, close adult supervision is required to ensure their safety. They tear out pictures.

    Directions

    1. With your friends, find at least 4 pairs of pictures that are exactly the same. Find at least 8 more pictures that look similar, but don’t match. Cut out pictures with Crayola® Scissors (age 4 and older). Younger children tear out the pictures.

    2. To make folders: On one file folder, use Crayola® Washable Markers to write the word same. Write different on another folder.

    3. Glue the sides of both folders shut with Crayola® Glue Sticks. On the same folder, glue a matching pair of pictures. On the different folder, glue two that do not match.

    4. To make cards: Attach all other pictures to index cards with glue sticks.

    5. To sort: Mix up the cards. Find the pairs and file them in the same folder. Place the ones that do not match in the different folder. Can you explain what’s different about them?

    6. Draw your own card designs and make up games with friends for even more fun.

    Variations

  • Younger children do best sorting real objects, such as pairs of socks, spoons, or mittens. Older children could make designs on the computer.
  • Children might make cards with geometric shapes, foods, letters, animals, or any other curriculum topic. See also Matching Boards.
  • Make more sets of Alike or Different? cards to play memory games. Cover them with clear plastic adhesive, such as Con-Tact® paper, for durability.

    Safety Guidelines

    Scissors—ATTENTION: The cutting edges of scissors are sharp and care should be taken whenever cutting or handling. Blunt-tip scissors should be used only by children 4 years and older. Pointed-tip scissors should be used only by children 6 years and older.

    		•

    Related Resources

    Books:

    About Colors, Shapes, and Sizes.   by My Discovery Books

    Exactly the Opposite   by Tana Hoban

    It looked like Spilt Milk.   by Charles G. Shaw

    The Mystery Box.   by Frederick Highland

    Videos:

    Colors and Shapes Circus.

    Software:

    Crayola® Make a Masterpiece   by IBM

    Games:

    Animal Tracks Game   by Educational Design

    BEST BOARD GAMES FROM AROUND THE WORLD   by


    © 2000 Binney & Smith, Inc. This Crayola ECE is the property of and used with permission from Binney & Smith Inc. No content belonging to Binney & Smith Inc. can be sold, traded or reused, unless a licensing agreement has been signed permitting such use.

    Crayola, the serpentine and chevron designs, crayon character, The Crayola FACTORY, Dream-Makers,and Binney & Smith logo are registered trademarks of Binney & Smith; the rainbow/swash design is a trademark of Binney & Smith. All Rights Reserved

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