Memory Games

Sensorial games are to be introduced to the child when the child’s interest in the materials is waning and to bring new interest to the material the child already know very well. These games could also be shown to bring the older to revisit the material and can be given before of after the language is given, depending on the game itself. And finally, the games help the child make classifications before moving on to another piece of material.

The Four Main Purposes of the Memory Games

1. To prolong the activity with the material which will assure a stronger absorption by the child.
2. The games work as a stimulus in discovering more variations of the material.
3. To help the directress verify the child’s language of the material.
4. To bridge the work of quantity and to allow the child to discover the quality of the materials in the word around him.

Game 1: Matching at a Distance

Once two different tables or mats have been placed at a distance from one another, place one of a pair of materials, one on each mat/table. The directress then selects one of the pairs, experiences it and allows the child to experience it, and then have the child fetch the match from the other mat/table. Repeat this until all of the matches have been matched.

Game 2: Grading from a Distance

A. From an Extreme

Once two tables or mats have been placed at a distance from one another, place the grading materials at random on one of the mats/tables. Pick up one of the extremes (for example the largest cube in the Pink Tower), and place it on the other mat/table. Then have the child bring over to the second mat, the next size up. Work you way up to the smallest cube.

B. From a Midpoint

Once two tables or mats have been placed at a distance from one another, place the grading materials at random on one of the mats/tables. Pick up one of the pieces near the middle (for example one of the middle sized cubes in the Pink Tower), and place it on the other mat/table. Then have the child bring to the other mat the next size up or down.

NOTE: For this game, the child must have had language.

Game 3: Stereognostic

This game is to be done in a group. The directress would have the children sit in a circle around a mat. She would then hand out the material (for example one cube of the Pink Tower to each child). The children hold the cube behind their backs and feel them. The directress would then ask for the largest cube to be placed on the mat. By feeling their cube, the children are being asked to feel for the recognition of the sizes of the cubes. Continue asking for certain cubes working your way from the biggest cube to the smallest cube, until all the cubes have been placed on the mat.

Game 4: Material to the Environment

After a mat has been rolled out, place the color tablets onto the mat at random. The directress can point to one of the colors/shades and ask the child to find something in the environment of that same color or shade. Repeat for all of the colors or all of the shades of color.

Game 5: Environment to the Material