The Language area of the Montessori environment begins for young children with exercises that involve such things as matching, classifying, and sorting. Children are often seen naturally sorting out objects. These materials develop thinking skills and build the foundation for later problem-solving skills.
Such exercises are also an essential part of beginning mathematical skills and development. In the classroom matching and sorting exercises often relate to the season or perhaps a unit study being discussed. In my training these were identified as the pre-language exercises which are found on the language shelves or perhaps if it is something like frog matching cards, you might find them on the Zoology shelf. In the Practical Life area, various sorting exercises can be found as well.
To challenge the older child, one can make an attribute board. The child matches pictures on the left of the board with those across the top and combines them to fit in the proper square. These are simple to make and can vary greatly.
